Walk and Talk Therapy Platform for Accessible Mental Health Care

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of accessible and affordable mental health care for anxiety and depression, particularly due to the limited availability of mental health professionals and the stigma associated with traditional therapy, which often requires multiple sessions and is not suitable for one-off issues.

Innovation Solution

A service delivery model that provides single-session walk and talk therapy via a platform and mobile application, allowing users to connect with professionals for virtual walking video meetings, incorporating pedometer and activity tracker data to combine physical movement with therapy, thus making mental health care more accessible and affordable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional therapy sessions are provided, then mental health care quality is improved, but accessibility and affordability deteriorate due to limited professional availability and multiple session requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemental health care qualityVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments traditional multi-session therapy into single-session interventions (SSI) that can be delivered independently. Each SSI is a complete therapeutic unit addressing specific mental health concerns without requiring ongoing commitment, thereby improving accessibility while maintaining care quality through structured, evidence-based protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a digital platform as an intermediary that connects users with mental health professionals remotely. This mediator enables single-session therapy delivery through video conferencing and digital tools, eliminating geographic and scheduling barriers while preserving therapeutic effectiveness through standardized intervention protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple therapy sessions are required, then treatment depth is improved, but affordability and accessibility worsen due to time and cost commitments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment depthVSAvoidtime commitment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing standardized single-session intervention protocols in advance that address common mental health concerns. These pre-structured sessions contain all necessary therapeutic components within a single meeting, eliminating the need for multiple follow-up sessions while maintaining treatment effectiveness for appropriate cases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the time parameter from multiple extended sessions to a single condensed session format. By reconfiguring therapeutic content delivery into intensive one-hour interventions with focused agendas and structured activities, the system maintains treatment depth while dramatically reducing total time commitment required from participants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If in-person therapy sessions are conducted, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but accessibility deteriorates due to location and scheduling constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectivenessVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of in-person physical presence with digital video conferencing technology. This substitution maintains therapeutic effectiveness through visual and auditory communication channels while eliminating the need for physical travel, flexible scheduling, and geographic proximity, thereby dramatically improving accessibility and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240406346A1Communication platform for walk and talk communication sessions

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 DURAI EMMANUEL JAIKUMAR JOHN

AI summary

A method comprising using at least one hardware processor to: receive an indication for desire for a session with a professional; confirm a professional's availability; schedule session; receive indication to begin session through a platform; activate virtual walking video meeting, by activating video call; receive information at least one of a pedometer and activity tracker; and communicate information to the platform.