Lumen

Coach Lumen is novel, a first-generation virtual coach developed by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) to teach essential problem-solving skills for better emotional well-being. Using mobile technology and artificial intelligence (AI), Lumen provides a convenient and private way to receive problem-solving coaching to address emotional distress. Individuals with emotional distress may experience symptoms of depression or anxiety or both conditions. The program offers eight coaching sessions with Lumen.

The first four sessions are once a week for four weeks, and the next four sessions are once every other week. During these sessions, Lumen will provide coaching on skills to solve personal real-life problems following an evidence-based, stepwise intervention plan.

Lumen

In two clinical trials funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, it was demonstrated that through working with Coach Lumen to learn these problem-solving skills, participants experienced improved symptoms of depression and anxiety, significantly more so than participants who received no treatment. It was also shown that Coach Lumen can be an alternative—though not a replacement—for a human coach with helping individuals with emotional distress to improve their problem-solving ability and thus psychological well-being.

Based on evidence from these clinical trials, UIC is making the Lumen coaching program available through the Office of Technology Management. Registration is required. If you are interested, click here to register.