Embrace
AI-enabled digital narrative platform using expressive arts therapy to enhance people’s therapy journey
Idea in Health Care
Introduction
Embrace is an AI-enabled digital narrative platform using expressive arts therapy to support patients who may not be experiencing life-threatening behaviors, in successfully navigating their therapy journey. We facilitate patients’ creative self-expression of their stories and goals through accessible expressive arts therapy, which has been shown to be a powerful/empowering mode of healing
Problem
The demand for therapy grows by as much as 10% each year, causing a shortage of mental health providers across hospitals, colleges, schools, community centers, and more. Individuals who seek treatment face wait times of up to 12 weeks, at which point 50% lose momentum and choose not to get help
This process is frustrating for mental health providers and patients, especially those who may feel anxious about seeking help. Furthermore, therapists have less time to focus on each patient, impacting the patient's experience and making them feel that they are not being treated in a personalized way.
This highlights the need to bridge the waiting time gap and help patients make the most out of the process. Additionally, mental health providers must gather information about the patient to address their needs accurately and enhance their experience.
Opportunity
Embrace is a digital narrative platform that utilizes AI and expressive arts therapy (EAT) to aid individuals in their therapy journey. EAT is a form of psychotherapy that promotes self-expression, self-awareness and trauma healing utilizing art forms such as writing to help with emotional and mental challenges.
It can be provided by mental health providers during waiting times to assist in jump-starting the healing process and gathering information about the patient's background. The platform offers psychoeducation for emotional regulation and expression, as well as the ability to visualize therapy goals and identify belief systems through storytelling.
Mental health providers can track user’s progress, motivating them to stay engaged and attend therapy sessions. Therapists can use Embrace to gain preliminary background information about patients, assign therapy-related tasks, and track progress. Furthermore, providers can offer Embrace to their personnel to help with secondary trauma.