AI Therapist in your pocket? Making mental health accessible to everyone - Sonia (YC W24)
This is the future of mental health, where we can all access Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for free, on our phone.
💎 The basics of Sonia
Founders: Chris Aeberli, Dustin Klebe, Lukas Wolf (all alumni from #MIT, #ETH Zürich)
Y Combinator W24 Batch
Seed round: $3.4M closed June 2024
Sonia’s Mission:
Sonia is an AI therapist conducting text and voice-based therapy sessions via a phone app, aiming to bridge the gap between supply and demand in mental health care.
The app is designed to be accessible anytime, anywhere, and for anyone.
Sonia is an AI mental health therapist that conducts entire text and voice-based therapy sessions via a phone app.
Chris’s story
Attended the Business Analytics program at MIT and met future cofounders.
Entrepreneurial residence in Verkada → provided valuable industry experience, shaping his understanding of technology and business operations.
💡 Challenges and Opportunities in the Mental Health Industry
Challenges:
Rising demand for mental health services with insufficient supply.
High costs and long waitlists are significant barriers.
Technological & Social Advancements:
AI has been a major enabler in creating effective mental health solutions.
Social attitudes towards mental health have become more open and supportive. → self-help is encouraged.
Every year, 20% of people face mental health issues. Many have to wait several months to see a therapist and pay over $100 per session. Sonia offers instant support - even directly from your bed when a crisis kicks in at 2 am.
Sonia’s Unique Features and Approach
AI Capabilities:
Sonia uses large language model (LLM) & other machine learning models to conduct therapy sessions with a deep understanding of the patient’s context and needs.
The reasoning and planning capabilities of the model are fine-tuned with the help of therapists.
User Experience:
The app prioritizes accessibility and simplicity, allowing users to start a session quickly without providing excessive personal information.
There are two types of sessions: longer therapy sessions and shorter, immediate support sessions.
Interactive elements such as worksheets and visualizations enhance the therapy experience.
RAG as the foundation:
RAG enables Sonia to pull relevant information in real-time and seamlessly incorporate it into conversations.
It’s not just about having a large language model; it's about having an LLM that knows where to look for the right information at the right time.
Chris: “It was always clear I wanted to build a company. That was the entire strategy and plan behind even coming to the US. I knew that would be a great jumping board for me to meet the right people and get into an environment where I can start a company.”
User Engagement and Feedback
What do users enjoy the most?
Natural Voice interaction (just like how you talk to therapists) leads to higher retention.
Interactive elements within and between sessions are well-received by users.
Balancing Engagement and Therapeutic Effectiveness:
Features are designed to be both engaging and therapeutically effective.
The app regulates the number of sessions to avoid overuse, ensuring therapeutic benefits.
Exciting Future Ahead!
Proactive Mental Health: Mental health is becoming proactive, not just reactive.
Care should be taken before experiencing extreme anxiety or depression.
Sonia is committed to being a key player in this proactive approach.
Continuous Improvement:
Develop Sonia from a novice to an expert therapist.
Like a therapist gaining skills and experience, Sonia will evolve and enhance her capabilities.
Evidence-Based Progress:
Back by clinical trials and partnerships with top research organizations.
Learn More: Visit Sonia’s Website to explore more.
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Interesting product and use case for AI.