Tap with Libbie

Mental health care is expensive and not culturally competent. Women overall are twice as likely to experience an episode of major depression as men. Yet, Black, Indigenous, and other women of color (BIPOC) are less likely to seek help. If they do overcome the stigma, they're often misunderstood as 86% of US psychologists are white. Although studies show BIPOC groups prefer virtual or digital care, most mental wellness apps don't target their needs. We're disrupting the $225 Billion behavioral health market with Libbie, a chatbot that provides inclusive mental wellness support for BIPOC women. Our innovative digital health solution prompts users to tap on acupoints while voicing their emotional concerns, in real-time, from any device, anywhere in the world.

The pandemic is shining a light on the mental health crisis in our world. This isn't new. Studies show that 54% of Black, 48% of Hispanic, and 45% of Asian US adults don’t feel comfortable going back to living life like before the pandemic. Women overall are twice as likely to experience an episode of major depression as men. Yet, only 5% to 15% of women of color with a mental health condition seek treatment. That means, 85% to 95% of BIPOC women with a mental health condition are suffering in silence. If they overcome the stigma and seek help, they're often misunderstood as only 14% of US psychologists may share their racial identity. In professional settings, BIPOC women bear an emotional tax that makes them feel steadily on guard and like they have to outwork their white colleagues. Many BIPOC women who are on guard at work also report having sleep problems, which increases their risk for anxiety and depression. 

BIPOC women comprised 20% of the US population in 2019, or roughly 67 million women. Women of color are expected to make up the majority of all women by 2060. 

Libbie is a conversational agent, or chatbot, that provides inclusive mental health support for women of color using the Emotional Freedom Technique (or Tapping). Users can receive immediate relief with our innovative digital health solution that guides them to tap on acupoints while speaking about their emotional issues. We have developed a web-based prototype of Libbie with which users can chat in real-time on their tablet, laptop, or phone. It's as simple as users responding to prompts about how they are feeling, and following along as Libbie instructs them to tap on points on their head and upper body until they feel better. Libbie closes each interaction with a brief breathing exercise to promote greater calm. 

The unique evidence-based method of EFT-Tapping has been proven not only to help people improve their mood but to relieve long-standing traumatic issues. In a 5.5 year large-scale study, 90% of patients who tapped, compared to 63% who received cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), felt reduced anxiety. 

Libbie is designed to support Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and other women of color. Only 33% of Black and Latinx adults who need mental health care actually get it. Although studies show that BIPOC groups prefer virtual or digital care, the large majority of mental wellness apps don't specifically target their needs.

We've been conducting a beta test of the web-based prototype since February 2021. Our test is reaching our target market: 95% identify as female and 5% as non-binary; 57% identify as Black, 24% as Asian, 18% as Hispanic, 6% as Native American, and 21% as bi- or multi-racial. 47% are between 25-34, and 34% are between 35-44 years old. Participants are being asked to complete a mental well-being assessment and to tap with Libbie over a 21-day period. We've been monitoring interactions on the back-end to identify chatbot responses that don't match user inquiries, to train Libbie to be more responsive to their needs. From initial user surveys, we've learned that anxiety/stress is the top issue they are facing. We're also confirming our hypothesis that users would pay for access to sessions with practitioners for more in-depth support.

Our solution aligns with the Challenge as it is intentionally centered on the mental health needs of BIPOC women. There is a strong interest in and comfort with digital health tools from BIPOC smartphone users. A 2015 Pew survey found that 73% of Hispanic and 67% of Black smartphone users had used their phone in the previous year to investigate a health condition, compared to 58% of white smartphone users. Yet, studies show that most mobile health apps focus on white users, suggesting the existence of a substantial and under-tapped market for our inclusive and user-centric digital health solution.

We've begun to incorporate user feedback from the beta test of the Libbie prototype into our chatbot design process. We've been using the American Psychiatric Association App Evaluation Model to inform our approach, and are forming relationships with the APA App Advisor network to gain additional insights.

You may have heard the phrase: "Our issues are in our tissues." This statement refers to the fact that we store emotions from our experiences, particularly negative or traumatic ones, in our bodies. The unique evidence-based method of EFT-Tapping has been proven not only to help people improve their mood but to relieve long-standing traumatic issues. In a 5.5 year large-scale study, 90% of patients who tapped, compared to 63% who received cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), felt reduced anxiety.

Libbie will help to de-stigmatize seeking mental health support by BIPOC women. With further development of the mobile app, premium subscribers will be able to book virtual sessions with BIPOC coaches and/or therapists. Healing should be a safe space for all people. It requires a chatbot like Libbie (or a culturally competent practitioner) that understands how different intersectionalities can have an impact on their experience of life.

Since February 2021, we've collected 164 emails via our landing page/form, and 80 of those have given their informed consent to join the beta test. Within one year, we hope to have developed a prototype for the mobile version of Libbie, with the goal of serving 500 users via additional beta testing. Within five years, we aim to be serving thousands of users after we have incorporated user feedback into our design.

The SDG Goal to which we are aligned most closely is Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Target 3.4 includes the goal to "promote mental health and well-being." 

Participants in the beta test are being asked to complete a mental well-being assessment and to tap with Libbie over a 21-day period. The assessment includes questions from instruments such as the GAD-7 to assess stress and anxiety levels. We're also compiling data from a user experience survey that is distributed at completion. The latter survey looks at indicators such as:

• types of issues they used Libbie to address
• how many times/how often they used the chatbot
• aspects and features they liked/disliked
• willingness to recommend Libbie to others

1 full-time

1 contractor

1 intern

As a Black woman and entrepreneur, I know first-hand the challenges of dealing with microaggressions, systemic racism, and unconscious bias. I have been a leader in the personal development and wellness industry for 15 years, as a certified Stress Management coach and practitioner of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT-Tapping). I've specialized in working with marginalized leaders to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing, guiding them on the path to recovery through individual and group services focused on self-care, mindfulness, and resilience. I've been certified by the National Council for Behavioral Health in Mental Health First Aid, and by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services in Trauma-Informed Care. 

We have gained conversation design expertise from Nicholas Laing, the developer behind several voice apps including the award-winning Google action, "My Adventure Book."

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. 

Personally, I appreciate a broad definition of diversity to include learning styles, thought processes, and ways of life.

I strive to create a working environment in which people can feel comfortable to contribute their ideas, suggestions, and perspectives.

I strive to create an atmosphere in which people can feel seen, heard, valued, and respected.