Mobile therapy, anyone?

Feeling blue? Then why not try the world’s first download-to-mobile therapy service - My Mobile Guru - with voice recordings straight to your mobile/PC/landline. This is counselling on the move, the shrink’s couch on the go. Hmmm, perhaps we should let some of those ex Lehman Brother traders in on the secret? …

I have to say that the website is completely uninspirational - it’s appallingly laid out, the stock photography makes me want to vomit, and the user benefits are lost on the plethora of blue and purple. I also stumbled at the first technology step because I have to ‘listen to what it’s all about’ but I don’t have the right plug-in and for some reason my laptop can’t seem to find the right one. I’m frustrated and in need of some calm counselling already, but I can’t get any…. I also tried finding it on my phone but no joy there.

The Guardian had more luck and reports how in response to one of the many messages you can choose from, a 6 minute script including anger management techniques, is returned. They acknowledge that a one-size-fits-all advice approach is pretty tricky, but the ‘guru’ who set this up explains that although psychological distress can be varied, techniques to deal with it can often be broadly the same. And, of course, the relationship you have with your phone is not exactly akin to the one you might strike up with your therapist.

But, do you know what, I can’t help liking the principle. Mainly because I think lots of people are stressed out and probably wouldn’t dream of going to a therapist. But, if they could get one little bit of decent, calming advice a day the world might just be a happier place.

This product needs some cleaning up, a shortcode access, a tie-up with a high profile magazine or newspaper supplement, some decent ambient marketing (on the side of your morning coffee cup) and it stands a chance of getting through to people. But for the time being, I reckon I’ll just stick with deep breaths and ranting on the blog to reduce my stress levels.

Also posted on www.welovemobile.co.uk