Navigating Mental Health Support: Innovations with AI Integration
Seeking mental health support can often be a daunting journey. However, some founders believe that leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can make a significant difference for individuals who lack access to professional help. Dr. David Burns, a seasoned psychiatry expert with over four decades of experience, has developed the Feeling Great app, inspired by his therapeutic methods.
In partnership with Jeremy Karmel, a former growth leader at DoorDash and Reddit, and Matt Pierce, the former CEO of Trusted Health, Dr. Burns aims to make mental health resources more accessible through Feeling Great, which also shares its name with his acclaimed self-help book.
Founded in 2022, the company recently announced the successful completion of an $8 million seed funding round, co-led by Learn Capital and TitletownTech, with additional investments from Lux Capital, Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health, Pacific Health Ventures, and Treble Capital. The app, which was in beta with approximately 3,000 users, officially launches today to a broader audience.
Company Growth and Vision
Feeling Great currently employs 14 team members and is eager to direct its funding toward enhancing app development and marketing efforts. Rob Hutter, founder and managing partner at Learn Capital, reflected on his long-standing admiration for Dr. Burns, stating that he had previously attended one of Burns' seminars and read his books. Reconnecting over the last few years, Hutter recognized the potential of their collaboration with Karmel in creating an effective therapeutic solution and decided to invest. He emphasized that the combination of Burns' expertise and Karmel's growth-oriented mindset positions the platform for significant scaling.
The App and Its Technology
Dr. Burns shared that the vision for an app with guided lessons predated the release of advanced AI models. Inspired by the capabilities of these models, the team integrated Burns' therapeutic expertise into their own technology to enhance mental wellness.
“I am thrilled that we have developed a digital tool that addresses not just symptoms of depression but simultaneously alleviates seven negative feelings,” Burns explained during a recent conversation.
The Feeling Great app features two key components: interactive mental health courses that utilize illustrations and storytelling, and a chatbot designed to engage users in conversations about their emotional challenges. The chatbot also provides practice techniques to help manage negative feelings.
The company has crafted its AI models based on Dr. Burns’ T.E.A.M. (Testing, Empathy, Assessment of Resistance, and Methods) approach, emphasizing empathetic responses and actionable user guidance.
Karmel elaborated, “We have designed an empathy model specifically to foster deep connections with users. Additionally, we established an evaluation framework that assesses the AI’s effectiveness in understanding user needs.”
From a physiological standpoint, Dr. Burns noted that the app initially focuses on enhancing users’ well-being, transforming negative emotions into positive experiences, and offering support during challenging emotional episodes.
While the app aims to facilitate mental health improvement, it does not intend to replace human therapists. The onboarding process includes numerous reminders that the app is not a substitute for professional therapy and advises users struggling with suicidal thoughts to seek qualified help.
Market Landscape and Future Directions
The mental health sector features various marketplace solutions like BetterHelp and Talkspace that connect individuals with therapists, as well as apps such as Calm and Headspace dedicated to meditation. In this landscape, Feeling Great will directly compete with platforms like Woebot, Wysa, and Sonia.
Hutter believes that integrating data from established therapeutic methods into product development can lead to meaningful improvements in mental health care. He explained, “The timing for this product is ideal given that large language models (LLMs) enable powerful interactions that can lead to transformative psychological outcomes.”
Both Hutter and the Feeling Great team recognize the financial barriers that make traditional therapy inaccessible for many, noting that their app provides continuous support and can complement ongoing therapy sessions.
Looking to the future, the company aims to enhance the app by developing features that address clinical conditions and pursue FDA approval, similar to Calm's clinical offerings initiated in 2022. Upcoming innovations will include voice-based AI, long-term memory capabilities, and an anonymous user feature.
Currently available on both Android and iOS, the Feeling Great app will launch exclusively for U.S. customers. It offers a seven-day free trial, followed by an annual subscription priced at $99.
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