Understanding Mental Health Support
Get answers to common questions about counseling, our services, and why professional support matters.
Let's break down the real value:
What You're Actually Paying For: β’ 10+ years of professional education and training β’ Proven therapeutic techniques that create lasting change β’ A safe, confidential space with zero judgment β’ Customized strategies for YOUR specific challenges β’ Prevention of worse (and more expensive) problems later β’ Improved relationships, work performance, and life satisfaction
The Real Cost of NOT Getting Help: πΌ Lost productivity at work: HKD 30,000-60,000/year π Relationship problems: Immeasurable π₯ Physical health issues from stress: HKD 20,000-80,000/year π Long-term accumulated suffering and impact: Difficult to measure
OttoMood AI Makes It Affordable: β FREE AI support 24/7 for emotional guidance β Sessions 50% cheaper than traditional therapy (HKD $600 vs HKD $1,200+) β AI intake summaries reduce session time β No long waitlists or expensive memberships
Think of it as an investment in yourself - the returns are immense. You wouldn't hesitate to fix a broken car, why hesitate to improve your mental health?
What You Get with Professional Counseling:
π― Personalized Treatment Plan β’ Assessment of your specific needs β’ Evidence-based strategies tailored to you β’ Measurable goals and progress tracking
π§° Professional Toolbox β’ CBT techniques for thought patterns β’ Mindfulness and meditation practices β’ Coping strategies for anxiety/depression β’ Communication skills β’ Emotional regulation techniques
π₯ Clinical Expertise β’ Accurate diagnosis when needed β’ Understanding of medication effects β’ Recognition of warning signs β’ Crisis management skills
π Structured Support β’ Regular scheduled sessions β’ Dedicated time focused entirely on YOU β’ Homework and exercises between sessions β’ Accountability for progress
π Safe Space β’ Complete confidentiality β’ No judgment or personal agendas β’ Professional boundaries β’ Trained in trauma-sensitive care
With OttoMood AI, You Also Get: β 24/7 AI coach Otto for between-session support β AI-generated session summaries β Mood tracking and insights β Shorter, more efficient sessions β Easy scheduling and reminders
Yes! We believe mental health support should be accessible to everyone.
FREE on OttoMood AI:
π€ Otto AI Life Coach (100% Free Forever) β’ Empathetic, professional support available 24/7 β’ Speaks English & Cantonese (廣ζ±θ©±) fluently β’ Daily check-ins and mood tracking β’ Evidence-based coping strategies and mindfulness exercises β’ Journaling prompts and self-reflection β’ Crisis resource referrals β’ Culturally sensitive guidance
π Free Tools: β’ Mood tracking dashboard β’ Mental wellness resources β’ Educational content β’ Community support groups
π° Affordable Paid Options: When you're ready: β’ Professional counseling at HKD $600/session (50% less than traditional) β’ AI-assisted sessions are shorter but just as effective β’ No hidden fees or subscription required β’ Pay only for sessions you use
Our Philosophy: Otto provides free daily support so everyone has access to mental wellness guidance. Professional counselors are available when you need deeper intervention - and we make them as affordable as possible.
You don't need to choose between your mental health and your budget.
Traditional Therapy: πΈ HKD $800-2,000/session in Hong Kong β° 60-90 minute sessions (lots of context-gathering) π Long waitlists (weeks to months) π Manual note-taking and prep π’ In-person only or expensive telehealth
OttoMood AI Approach: π° HKD $600/session (50% cost reduction) β±οΈ 30 minute focused sessions π² Immediate access to AI coach, fast counselor matching π€ AI pre-session intake summaries π» Convenient online platform
How We Cut Costs Without Cutting Quality:
-
AI Does the Admin Work: Otto gathers your history, mood patterns, and concerns BEFORE the session, so counselors can dive straight into helping you
-
Shorter, Focused Sessions: Because counselors arrive prepared with AI summaries, sessions are more efficient
-
24/7 AI Support: Otto provides daily guidance between sessions, making each session more impactful
-
No Overhead: Online platform means no expensive office rent, lower costs for you
Same Quality: β Licensed, qualified counselors β Evidence-based approaches β Professional ethical standards β Confidential and secure
We're not cheaper because we're lower quality - we're cheaper because technology handles the time-consuming parts.
Yes! We have financial aid options to support long-term therapy for those in need.
Aid Details: β’ Depending on your situation, we can offer up to 10-20% discount β’ Available for low-income families β’ Applicable to all counseling plans
How to Apply: Please contact our support team to learn more. We'll assess your situation and do our best to help.
We believe everyone should have access to mental health support, regardless of financial circumstances.
Yes! We offer flexibility to adjust your plan as needed.
How to Change Plans: β’ You can change your plan straight from your account β’ Changes will occur during the next billing period β’ No need to call or email
Flexible Options: β Upgrade from free AI plan to counseling plan β Increase or decrease session frequency as needed β Pause or cancel anytime
We understand your needs change over time, so we make adjustments simple.
A typical video session at OttoMood lasts 30 minutes.
Why 30 minutes? β’ AI pre-gathers background information, so counselors can start helping you immediately β’ More focused, efficient sessions β’ Research shows well-prepared 30-minute sessions are as effective as traditional 50-minute sessions
Need Longer? If you want to, you can chain sessions back to back to make a longer session. Just discuss with your counselor.
If you feel like you need more video sessions, you can always purchase additional ones.
Flexible Options: β’ Purchase single sessions on-demand β’ Upgrade to a plan with more sessions included β’ Discuss with your counselor what frequency works best for your needs
Our goal is to provide the support you need while maintaining affordability and flexibility.
We don't have any free therapy plan. However, our platform is open for everyone without an active subscription.
Free to Use: β Mood tracker β Guided journaling β Library with 100+ resources β Otto AI mindfulness coach (24/7 available)
Paid Plans: When you're ready for professional counseling, our plans start at HKD $50/month (AI Plan), with counseling sessions at HKD $600/session.
The free tools can help you start your mental health journey, and when you need professional support, we're here.
You're free to cancel anytime.
Refund Policy: β’ If you cancel after therapy had already started, we can only refund you for unused sessions β’ Refunds are available only during the first 7 days β’ We consider each case individually - so be sure to contact us
How to Cancel: β’ Cancel from your account settings β’ Or contact our support team
No Long-Term Commitment: We don't lock you into long-term contracts. You can pause or cancel as needed.
Otto is specifically designed for mental wellness support - much more sophisticated than general chatbots.
What Otto Does:
π§ Empathetic & Professional Support β’ Trained on therapeutic conversations by mental health experts β’ Provides deeply empathetic, non-judgmental responses β’ Professional yet warm and approachable tone β’ Uses evidence-based CBT and mindfulness techniques β’ Adapts to your unique communication style
π Language Support β’ Fluent in English and Cantonese (廣ζ±θ©±) β’ Understands cultural nuances and context β’ Switches seamlessly between languages β’ Hong Kong-focused mental health resources
π Smart Tracking β’ Monitors your mood patterns over time β’ Identifies triggers and warning signs β’ Generates insights about your mental health β’ Creates detailed summaries for your counselor
π― Personalized Guidance β’ Learns about your specific challenges β’ Suggests relevant coping strategies β’ Provides customized journaling prompts β’ Recommends culturally appropriate resources
π¨ Crisis Detection β’ Recognizes concerning language patterns β’ Provides immediate crisis resources β’ Can alert you to seek professional help β’ Available 24/7 when humans aren't
What Otto Doesn't Do: β Replace professional counselors β Diagnose mental health conditions β Prescribe medication β Provide therapy (he provides coaching)
Think of Otto as: Your empathetic, professional daily mental wellness companion who helps you stay on track between counseling sessions. Like having a caring, knowledgeable friend who's available 24/7, speaks your language (English & Cantonese), never judges, and has extensive training in mental health support.
Otto and human counselors serve different but complementary roles:
Otto AI (Your Daily Companion): β 24/7 availability for immediate support β Daily check-ins and mood tracking β Coping strategies for minor stressors β Between-session guidance β No wait times or scheduling needed β Free and unlimited
Human Counselors (Professional Treatment): β Complex mental health conditions β Trauma processing and deep healing β Personalized therapy plans β Nuanced understanding of emotions β Crisis intervention expertise β Official diagnosis when needed
When to Use Otto: β’ Daily emotional support β’ Minor stress and anxiety β’ Building healthy habits β’ Practicing coping strategies β’ Journaling and self-reflection β’ Quick check-ins
When to See a Counselor: β’ Persistent anxiety or depression β’ Trauma or abuse β’ Suicidal thoughts β’ Relationship problems β’ Major life transitions β’ Substance abuse issues β’ When Otto suggests you should
Together, They're Powerful: Otto helps you maintain progress between sessions, provides daily support, and gives your counselor detailed insights into your week. Your counselor provides the deep therapeutic work that AI can't replicate.
It's like having both a fitness app (daily guidance) AND a personal trainer (expert intervention).
Signs It's Time for Professional Help:
π¨ Immediate (Seek Help Now): β’ Thoughts of suicide or self-harm β’ Plans to hurt yourself or others β’ Severe panic attacks β’ Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) β’ Substance abuse spiraling out of control
β οΈ Soon (Within Days/Weeks): β’ Depression lasting more than 2 weeks β’ Anxiety interfering with daily life β’ Sleep or eating patterns severely disrupted β’ Withdrawing from friends and activities β’ Work/school performance declining β’ Relationship conflicts escalating β’ Traumatic event you can't process
π Recommended (Not Urgent): β’ Persistent low mood or worry β’ Difficulty coping with stress β’ Repeating unhealthy patterns β’ Major life transition (divorce, loss, career change) β’ Want to understand yourself better β’ Seeking personal growth
Green Flags for Counseling: β Talking to friends isn't enough anymore β Problems persist despite self-help efforts β Issues affect multiple areas of life β You feel "stuck" and can't move forward β Past trauma is affecting present life β You want professional guidance, not just support
Remember: You don't need to be in crisis to see a counselor. Many people seek therapy for personal growth, and prevention is always better than crisis intervention.
On OttoMood AI: Otto can help you assess if you need professional support and will recommend counseling when appropriate.
Our AI matching system ensures you're paired with the right counselor for YOUR specific needs.
How It Works:
1οΈβ£ Your Intake Assessment β’ Talk with Otto about your concerns β’ Share your preferences (gender, age, approach) β’ Describe your specific challenges β’ Indicate language preferences β’ Note any cultural considerations
2οΈβ£ AI Analysis Our algorithm considers: β’ Type of issues (anxiety, depression, trauma, etc.) β’ Severity and urgency β’ Your personality and communication style β’ Counselor specializations β’ Counselor approaches (CBT, psychodynamic, etc.) β’ Availability and scheduling β’ Past successful matches with similar profiles
3οΈβ£ Smart Matching β’ Ranks counselors by compatibility β’ Considers success rates with similar cases β’ Accounts for counselor workload β’ Respects your stated preferences
4οΈβ£ Your Choice β’ Review top matches with detailed profiles β’ See specializations and approaches β’ Read reviews from other clients β’ Choose the one you feel most comfortable with β’ Can request different matches anytime
Why AI Matching is Better: β Considers 100+ factors humans might miss β No bias based on photos or first impressions β Learns from thousands of successful matches β Finds specialized expertise you need β Much faster than random assignment
You're Always in Control: If the match isn't right, you can switch counselors anytime - no questions asked. Chemistry matters in counseling!
At OttoMood, our definition of AI is transparent and responsible.
Our AI Definition:
π€ Otto AI Life Coach β’ Based on Large Language Model (LLM) technology β’ Specifically trained for mental health support β’ Uses natural language processing to understand and respond β’ Continuously learning to improve interaction quality
AI's Role at OttoMood:
π Emotion Analysis β’ Analyzes your mood patterns and trends β’ Identifies potential triggers β’ Tracks your mental health progress
π Intake Report Generation β’ Automatically organizes your conversations with Otto β’ Creates structured summaries for counselors β’ Saves administrative time, improves session efficiency
π― Smart Matching β’ Analyzes your needs and preferences β’ Matches you with the most suitable counselor β’ Continuously optimizes based on successful cases
What AI Does NOT Do: β Does not diagnose mental health conditions β Does not prescribe medication β Does not replace human counselors β Does not make clinical decisions
Transparency Commitment: β Clearly labels AI-generated content β Human professionals oversee all clinical decisions β You always know when interacting with AI vs humans β Continuous improvement and updates to our AI systems
We believe AI should enhance, not replace, human care - always putting your wellbeing first.
Absolutely not. AI will never replace human counselors - this is our core commitment.
Why Human Counselors Are Irreplaceable:
β€οΈ Human Connection β’ Genuine empathy and emotional understanding β’ Building trust and therapeutic relationships β’ Sensitivity to subtle emotions β’ Ability to adapt to complex interpersonal dynamics
π§ Clinical Expertise β’ Years of professional training and experience β’ Judgment for complex cases β’ Trauma-informed care β’ Crisis intervention skills
π― Personalized Treatment β’ Adjusting approach to your unique situation β’ Real-time response to your needs β’ Creative problem-solving β’ Deep understanding of cultural context
AI's Supporting Role:
β Daily Support: Otto provides emotional support between sessions β Administrative Work: Automates paperwork and scheduling β Data Insights: Helps counselors understand your patterns β Accessibility: Available 24/7, no waiting
Our Hybrid Model:
π AI + Human = Best Care
- Otto provides daily support and mood tracking
- AI generates intake reports, saving time
- Human counselors conduct professional therapy
- Counselors make all clinical decisions
- Otto provides post-session follow-up support
Guarantee: β’ All treatment plans created by licensed professionals β’ Important decisions always made by humans β’ AI only used to enhance, never replace β’ You can always choose to talk with a human counselor
Think of AI as the counselor's assistant, not replacement - like how doctors use X-ray machines, but still make the diagnosis themselves.
Clinical decision-making refers to important mental health decisions that require professional judgment and licensure.
Examples of Clinical Decisions:
π₯ Diagnosis β’ Identifying mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.) β’ Assessing symptom severity β’ Distinguishing between different diagnostic possibilities β’ Determining comorbid conditions
π Treatment Planning β’ Selecting appropriate therapeutic modalities β’ Deciding session frequency and duration β’ Adjusting treatment approaches β’ Recommending medication evaluation (referral to psychiatrist)
β οΈ Risk Assessment β’ Evaluating suicide or self-harm risk β’ Determining need for hospitalization β’ Creating safety plans β’ Deciding crisis intervention measures
π Treatment Goals β’ Setting specific therapeutic objectives β’ Evaluating progress and outcomes β’ Modifying treatment plans β’ Deciding when to end therapy
At OttoMood:
β Clinical Decisions Made by Human Counselors: β’ All diagnosis and assessment β’ Treatment planning and goal setting β’ Risk assessment and safety planning β’ Choice of therapeutic modality β’ Referral decisions
π€ Clinical Decisions AI Does NOT Make: β Otto does not diagnose β Otto does not create treatment plans β Otto does not assess clinical risk β Otto does not make any decisions requiring licensure
How AI Supports (Non-Decision): β’ Collects and organizes information β’ Identifies possible patterns β’ Provides emotional support β’ Tracks daily moods β’ Reminders and scheduling
Why This Matters: Clinical decisions require: β Years of professional education β Licensure and certification β Clinical experience β Legal and ethical responsibility β Human judgment and empathy
Our Commitment: All clinical decisions are always made by licensed, qualified human professionals. AI is only used to support and enhance, never to replace professional judgment. Your mental health care is always in trained human hands.
We take AI bias seriously and employ a multi-layered approach to ensure fairness and inclusion.
How We Reduce Bias:
π Diverse Training Data β’ Uses data from different cultural backgrounds β’ Includes multiple languages (English, Cantonese) β’ Represents different ages, genders, and identities β’ Continuously expanding dataset diversity
π Continuous Monitoring β’ Regular audits of AI response fairness β’ Tracking outcomes across different groups β’ Identifying and correcting bias patterns β’ Third-party audits and assessments
π₯ Human Oversight β’ Mental health experts review AI outputs β’ Diverse team involved in AI development β’ User feedback loops β’ Licensed counselors supervise all clinical content
π Cultural Sensitivity β’ Adapted for Hong Kong cultural context β’ Respects different cultural perspectives β’ Avoids Western-centrism β’ Inclusive of LGBTQ+, different abilities, and backgrounds
Specific Measures:
β Language Equity β’ Otto fluent in both English and Cantonese β’ No preference for either language β’ Understands cultural idioms and expressions
β Gender Neutral β’ Uses inclusive language β’ Makes no gender assumptions β’ Respects all gender identities
β Non-Discriminatory β’ No assumptions based on race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. β’ Equal treatment for all users β’ Proactively identifies and eliminates stereotypes
Transparency:
π We Disclose: β’ AI system limitations β’ Known bias risks β’ Our mitigation strategies β’ Ongoing improvement plans
User Participation:
π£οΈ Your Voice Matters β’ Report biased or inappropriate responses β’ Provide feedback to improve the system β’ Participate in user research β’ Help us do better
Commitment: β’ Zero tolerance for discriminatory content β’ Ongoing investment in fairness research β’ Regular updates and improvements β’ Accountability and transparency
Acknowledging Limitations: We acknowledge that no AI system is perfect. Despite our efforts to reduce bias, blind spots may still exist. This is why human oversight and your feedback are crucial.
If you encounter any bias or inappropriate content, please tell us immediately. We're committed to creating a platform that's safe, respectful, and inclusive for everyone.
Yes! Research shows online counseling is just as effective as in-person therapy for most conditions.
Research Evidence: π Multiple studies show: β’ Equal effectiveness for depression and anxiety β’ High client satisfaction rates (85%+) β’ Better attendance (fewer missed appointments) β’ Increased comfort for some clients β’ Same therapeutic relationship quality
Safety Measures on OttoMood AI:
π Technology Security: β’ End-to-end encrypted video sessions β’ Secure and encrypted platform β’ Secure data storage β’ No recording without consent β’ Regular security audits
π¨ββοΈ Professional Standards: β’ All counselors are licensed professionals β’ Background checks completed β’ Continuing education required β’ Professional ethics codes enforced β’ Regular supervision and quality checks
π¨ Crisis Protocols: β’ Immediate crisis resources available β’ Emergency contact procedures β’ Counselors trained in remote crisis intervention β’ Local emergency services coordination
Additional Benefits: β Attend from comfortable, private space β No commute time or costs β Easier to fit into busy schedule β Access counselors anywhere in region β Reduced stigma (no waiting room)
When In-Person is Better: β’ Severe mental health crises β’ Need for physical examination β’ Court-ordered therapy β’ Severe substance abuse treatment β’ Some types of group therapy
For the vast majority of mental health concerns, online counseling is safe, effective, and often more convenient.
Your privacy is our absolute top priority. Here's exactly how we protect your data:
What We Collect: β’ Contact information (name, email) β’ Session notes and chat logs β’ Mood tracking data β’ Counselor matching preferences
How We Protect It:
π Encryption: β’ End-to-end encryption for all communications β’ Encrypted storage for all records β’ Secure video platform (no recording) β’ Bank-level security protocols
π« What We NEVER Do: β’ Sell your data to anyone β’ Share with advertisers β’ Use for AI training without consent β’ Share with employers or insurance β’ Provide to third parties
β Your Rights: β’ Access all your data anytime β’ Request deletion (with legal limits) β’ Export your records β’ Control what's shared with counselors β’ Opt out of non-essential features
π₯ Compliance: β’ GDPR compliant (Europe) β’ PDPO compliant (Hong Kong) β’ International privacy standards compliant β’ Regular third-party audits β’ Transparent privacy policy
Legal Exceptions (Required by Law): β’ Imminent risk of harm to self/others β’ Child or elder abuse β’ Court orders (extremely rare)
Counselor Access: Your counselor sees only what's relevant to your care. Billing and administrative staff have minimal access. Otto AI conversations are encrypted and private.
Your Control: You decide what to share, when to share it, and can delete your account anytime. We believe your mental health data is yours, not ours.
We have rigorous standards to ensure you receive professional, qualified care.
Our Counselor Requirements:
π Education: β’ Master's degree minimum (Counseling, Psychology, Social Work) β’ Doctoral degree preferred for specialized cases β’ Accredited university programs only
π Licensure: β’ Active professional license required β’ Licensed in their practicing jurisdiction β’ Good standing with licensing board β’ No disciplinary actions
β±οΈ Experience: β’ Minimum 2 years post-license experience β’ Supervised clinical hours completed β’ Demonstrated expertise in specialization areas
Our Vetting Process:
1οΈβ£ Application Review β’ Verify credentials and licenses β’ Check references β’ Review specializations β’ Assess experience level
2οΈβ£ Background Checks β’ Criminal record check β’ License verification β’ Disciplinary history review β’ Professional reference calls
3οΈβ£ Skills Assessment β’ Mock session evaluation β’ Therapeutic approach review β’ Online counseling competency β’ Cultural sensitivity assessment
4οΈβ£ Ongoing Monitoring β’ Client feedback and ratings β’ Regular supervision β’ Continuing education verification β’ Quality assurance reviews
Transparency: β Every counselor profile shows credentials β License numbers are verifiable β Specializations clearly listed β Client reviews are authentic β Years of experience displayed
Professional Standards: All our counselors adhere to: β’ ACA Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association) β’ Professional confidentiality requirements β’ Continuing education requirements β’ Clinical supervision protocols
You can trust that every OttoMood counselor has the expertise and ethical standards to provide quality mental health care.
If you're in immediate danger, please call emergency services: π Hong Kong: 999 π Suicide Prevention: 2382 0000 (24-hour hotline) π Samaritans: 2896 0000
How OttoMood AI Handles Crisis:
π¨ Immediate Crisis (Active Danger): Otto will: β’ Immediately provide local emergency numbers β’ Offer crisis hotline contacts β’ Encourage you to call emergency services β’ Stay with you until help arrives if needed
β οΈ Urgent Situation (Not Immediate Danger): Otto can: β’ Provide crisis coping strategies β’ Help you create a safety plan β’ Connect you with crisis resources β’ Notify your counselor (if you have one) β’ Offer 24/7 supportive conversation
π Counselor Crisis Support: If you have a counselor: β’ Emergency session can be scheduled same-day β’ Counselors trained in crisis intervention β’ Safety planning and risk assessment β’ Hospitalization coordination if needed β’ Follow-up care planning
Crisis Resources We Provide: β’ Local emergency hotlines β’ Hospital emergency departments β’ Crisis text lines β’ Suicide prevention resources β’ Domestic violence support β’ Substance abuse hotlines
What OttoMood AI Is NOT: β Emergency service (call 999 first) β Substitute for emergency room β 24/7 human crisis counselor β Crisis hospitalization service
Prevention: Regular sessions with counselors and daily Otto check-ins can help prevent crises by: β Identifying warning signs early β Developing coping strategies β Creating safety plans in advance β Building support systems β Monitoring mood patterns
Remember: It's okay to need emergency help. Mental health crises are real crises. Don't hesitate to call emergency services if you're in danger.
After a crisis passes, our counselors can help you process the experience and prevent future crises.
π¨ Crisis Support Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available immediately. You are not alone.
Immediate Emergency
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call now:
999 (Hong Kong Emergency Services)24/7 Crisis Hotlines
Still Have Questions?
Talk to Otto for free, or book a session with a professional counselor. We're here to help you find the support you need.