Emotion Coaching
Exploring Voice Technology for Scalable Mental Health Support
My Role & Expertise
"I shaped the UX and engagement strategy for the Emotion Coaching Voice App, transforming complex parenting guidance into a simple, accessible voice AI experience. I collaborated with mental health experts to structure psychology-backed interactions while ensuring an intuitive journey for parents. To support beta testing, I designed targeted social media content that encouraged parent participation. Working closely with psychologists, developers, and researchers, I helped transform this concept into a functional tool that empowered parents with expert-backed support."
1. THE CHALLENGE
Addressing the Mental Health Treatment Gap
Mental disorders affect one in seven Australian children. Early intervention is vital, yet there is a critical shortage of mental health clinicians.
While evidence-based parenting interventions exist, access remains a significant challenge due to overburdened healthcare systems.
With AI emerging as a potential scalable solution, we asked:
Can Voice AI simplify and scale access to expert-backed parenting guidance?
Would parents engage with AI-driven coaching, and what are the barriers to adoption?
2. THE APPROACH
Applying AI to Parenting: The Emotion Coaching Voice App
In collaboration with Dr Sally Richmond from the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, we developed Emotion Coaching, a free Voice AI app.
Teach parents effective communication techniques to support their child's emotional development.
Provide on-demand, interactive coaching through voice-guided experience in smart speakers and mobile devices.
Supplement traditional therapy by reinforcing parenting techniques outside clinical sessions.
Scale mental health support by making expert guidance more widely accessible.
3. THE SOLUTION
Where Psychology Meets Technology
Collaborative Development
Partnered with Monash University and the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health to create content grounded in proven psychological research.
User-Focused Interaction Design
Designed a conversational voice interface that delivers guidance in short, manageable sessions.
Testing & Evaluation
Conducted feasibility testing with psychologists and parents from a Melbourne-based child psychology clinic to refine the interaction model.
AI Optimization
Refined the app based on real user interactions, ensuring it provided supportive, relevant, and easy-to-apply guidance.
4. THE LEARNING
Insights from the Beta Test
Parents Need On-Demand, Bite-Sized Support.
Users responded best to short, practical lessons that fit into their routines.
Refining the User Journey is Key.
Parents needed more precise prompts and structured guidance to engage with the tool consistently.
Privacy and accessibility must be addressed.
Ensuring data security and simplifying the setup process can enhance adoption.
Hybrid approaches drive better engagement.
The app was most effective when used alongside traditional parenting programs, suggesting that, at the moment, AI can complement, rather than replace, human-led therapy.
5. THE TAKEAWAY
Rethinking Digital Mental Health Tools
Emotion Coaching laid the foundation for a new generation of AI-powered parenting support by integrating technology, psychology, and user-centred design.
AI-powered voice technology can be a powerful ally in tackling the lack of access to mental health support. While still in its early stages, the findings reinforce that scalable digital interventions must be followed by an effective awareness campaign and increased tech adoption.
This project highlights a fundamental truth about AI in mental health:
Innovation isn't just about automation but about making expert knowledge accessible in everyday life.
For AI-driven mental health tools to succeed, usability, engagement, and trust must be prioritized.
Technology should enhance—not replace—human connection.
