The Approach

Supporters

InTune identifies and trains people with strong interpersonal skills and an interest in mental health. They are not necessarily formally licensed therapists.

Instead, the model focuses on qualities such as:

• High empathy
• Strong communication skills
• The ability to listen and be present with another person
• The ability to contain and respond appropriately to difficult emotional situations

The goal is to create a larger pool of capable Supporters who can provide structured and consistent mental-health support.

AI-assisted support

Sessions take place through video communication and are supported by an AI model designed specifically to assist the Supporter.

The AI is intended to provide guidance throughout the session process:

Before the session

Helping the Supporter prepare and understand the treatment plan.

During the session

Providing guidance based on the ongoing conversation and helping the Supporter stay aligned with the treatment approach.

After the session

Helping review the session and support continuity and quality.

The AI also provides an additional layer of oversight, monitoring the session against the established treatment approach and helping identify situations that may require attention.

When necessary, the system is intended to enable intervention during a session. In extreme situations, qualified mental-health professionals would be able to intervene through a professional back-office layer.

Why Supporters?

Using trained Supporters rather than relying exclusively on formally licensed therapists is intended to explore several potential advantages:

Availability

A larger pool of potential Supporters could make mental-health support more accessible.

Matching

Supporters can be selected according to the interpersonal qualities and capabilities needed for the role.

Affordability

A different professional model may allow support to be provided at a lower cost.

Training and guidance

Supporters can be trained within a defined methodology and continuously assisted by the AI system.

What InTune explores

Compared with conventional therapy, InTune explores whether human connection, structured training, AI assistance, and professional oversight can provide:

• More affordable mental-health support
• Greater availability
• Consistent guidance and quality control
• Continuous support for the Supporter
• The ability to use AI throughout the treatment process

InTune is an ongoing project exploring whether technology can make high-quality mental-health support more accessible without losing the human connection at its center.