SELF-HELP
IN PSYCHOLOGY
IN PSYCHOLOGY
ABOUT THE PROJECT
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This website is dedicated to self-help and mental health. Here, you will find a variety of resources, articles, and practical tips to help improve your mental well-being and develop self-regulation skills.
EXPLORE
WHY IS SELF-HELP IMPORTANT?
Improving Mental Health: Self-help practices such as meditation, journaling, and physical activity help reduce stress and anxiety, enhancing overall mental well-being.
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Developing Self-Regulation Skills: Self-help teaches people to manage their emotions and reactions, fostering greater emotional resilience and the ability to cope with challenges.
Boosting Self-Confidence: By working on themselves and achieving their goals, people enhance their self-esteem and confidence in their abilities.
Building Support: Self-help can serve as a foundation for creating a community where people share experiences and support each other during challenging times.
Subject of Study
Building Support: Self-help can serve as a foundation for creating a community where people share experiences and support each other during challenging times.
Research Goals
- Identify the barriers that prevent people from using online self-help resources.
- Evaluate how clear the website’s information architecture is (navigation, finding the relevant sections).
- Determine which techniques users choose most often and why.
- Assess the level of trust in the website (visual style, language, content structure).
- Formulate hypotheses for improving the interface and content.
Trust (Survey)
User retention
Metrics
Time to find a technique
Percentage of completed exercises
Research goals
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Competitor Analysis
Comparison of 3–4 websites using Nielsen’s heuristics.
Focus on language, structure, and responsiveness.
Comparison of 3–4 websites using Nielsen’s heuristics.
Focus on language, structure, and responsiveness.
In-Depth Interviews
8–10 users with varying experience (beginners and those already using self-help apps/websites).
8–10 users with varying experience (beginners and those already using self-help apps/websites).
Qualitative Prototype Testing
Scenarios: “find a technique,” “take a test,” “read an article.”
Metrics: completion time, errors, user comments.
Scenarios: “find a technique,” “take a test,” “read an article.”
Metrics: completion time, errors, user comments.
Quantitative Research
Analysis of metrics (engagement, completion, retention).
Short surveys conducted within the website.
Analysis of metrics (engagement, completion, retention).
Short surveys conducted within the website.
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A significant number of users abandon a practice if the instructions are too complicated. We focused on simple language and step-by-step cards.
About the Study
“Self-Help in Psychology” is an informational website that helps people find techniques for managing stress and anxiety. Users can take a mini-test, select exercises, and read articles written in simple language.
Subject of the Study
User experience when interacting with the “Self-Help in Psychology” website — finding techniques, completing exercises, and reading articles.
Object of the Study
User behavior on the website: how easily they find suitable exercises, understand the instructions, and complete the techniques.
Цель исследования
Identify barriers and errors in the user journey when searching for and using self-help techniques. Develop recommendations to improve navigation, content structure, and enhance trust in the website.
Scope of the Study
Interviews were conducted with potential website users.
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Interview Details
A prototype version of the website was used.
Participants were asked to take a test and select a technique.
Emotions and difficulties at each step were analyzed.
Participants were asked to take a test and select a technique.
Emotions and difficulties at each step were analyzed.
Respondent Tasks
User Segments
Students and Young Adults: seeking quick practices to relieve anxiety.
Young Professionals: managing work-life balance and stress.
Young Professionals: managing work-life balance and stress.
Parents: coping with worries and fatigue, seeking accessible techniques.
People with Therapy Experience: looking for simple exercises for ongoing support.
People with Therapy Experience: looking for simple exercises for ongoing support.
Target Audience
People who want to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional burnout on their own, without consulting a therapist.
Find a simple and safe-help technique.
Receive explanations in clear, understandable language.
Use the website regularly
(exercises, articles, tests).
Receive explanations in clear, understandable language.
Use the website regularly
(exercises, articles, tests).
Which emotional states do you want to work on independently?
Have you used websites or apps for psychological support? If so, which ones?
What did you like or dislike about your experience using such services?
What is more important to you: a brief instruction or a detailed explanation?
What factors prevent you from completing a technique?
Which devices do you use most often (phone, PC, tablet)?
How important is the visual aspect (illustrations, icons, color) to you?
What builds trust in an online psychology service?
Would you like to receive recommendations based on your mood?
Have you used websites or apps for psychological support? If so, which ones?
What did you like or dislike about your experience using such services?
What is more important to you: a brief instruction or a detailed explanation?
What factors prevent you from completing a technique?
Which devices do you use most often (phone, PC, tablet)?
How important is the visual aspect (illustrations, icons, color) to you?
What builds trust in an online psychology service?
Would you like to receive recommendations based on your mood?
User Interview
GOAL: UNDERSTAND THE BARRIERS AND MOTIVATORS WHEN USING SELF-HELP TECHNIQUES ONLINE.
Heuristic
mind.org
psychCentral
PsychologyTools
Visibility of System Status
Match Between System and the Real World
User Control and Freedom
Consistency and Standards
Error Prevention
Recognition
Aesthetics and Minimalism
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bad
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Competitor Analysis Using Nielsen’s Heuristics
Conclusion:
— All competitors are overloaded with content and lack sufficient personalization.
— Best practices: clear structure, simple language, and friendly visuals.
What They Think and Feel
“I feel bad, but I don’t want to see a psychologist right away.”
What They See
Overloaded websites, complex terms, unclear buttons.
What They Hear
Friends:“Try meditation, breathing exercises, or journaling.”
Social Media: Tips from bloggers.
Social Media: Tips from bloggers.
What they think and feel
Searches for quick techniques on Google. Tries them, but often gives up.
Empathy Mapping
Pain (Боли):
Fear of getting confused.
Complicated instructions.
Little time available.
Fear of getting confused.
Complicated instructions.
Little time available.
Gain (Выгоды):
Clear and simple instructions.
A feeling of “I can handle this.”
Quick results and relief.
Clear and simple instructions.
A feeling of “I can handle this.”
Quick results and relief.
