Hi, we’re Erica and Joe, the Co-founders of humanStreams. We started humanStreams because we recognized that while psychotherapy is highly effective, even for subclinical needs, it is simply too expensive, too cumbersome, and not scalable enough to meet the broader needs of society.

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So we decided to rethink how psychological support can be delivered. Our idea is to get people to engage in the core of the psychotherapeutic process, deep reflection, on their own, requiring less time in expensive one-to-one care.

 

Our thinking originated during Erica’s PhD research at Stanford University, where she blended concepts from Design Thinking, Psychology, and Palliative Care to motivate deep reflection of traumatic experiences. Her work engaged families at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital who had received stem cell transplants. Within a sensitive yet fun environment, they creatively responded to thoughtful prompts.

 

The results were clear. The prompts were a breakthrough in helping them reflect and express their deepest pain more comfortably and easily. The connection and vulnerability were palpable. Participants felt excited and inspired, with a sense of relief and deeper purpose. And they gained insight into their core human needs and how to move forward.

 

There are broader lessons here. Therapeutic levels of deep reflection can be done on our own, with proper support and guidance. With the coaching relationship and accountability that only humans can provide, the process is transformed, unlocking massive efficiency that allows many more people to gain access to effective mental healthcare. Our goal is to build the most efficient, effective, and enjoyable psychological support platform in the industry, meeting people where they’re at in their busy lives and making mental healthcare accessible to all.