Project description:

About Us- Diaspora Therapy Group is a trauma-informed, culturally rooted, and gender-affirming therapy practice that offers telehealth mental health services across California and Arizona. We serve BIPOC, QTPOC, and first-generation communities who are often overlooked by mainstream therapy models. Our nonprofit arm, Diaspora Collective, provides pro bono therapy to clients who fall between public and private systems of care. We’re a small but growing team committed to anti-oppressive care and healing that honors lived experience. Now, we’re looking to build a mobile app to deepen how we show up for our community — and we need your help.

What We’re Looking to Build- We’re hoping to create a mobile app (iOS + Android) that supports our therapy clients and community members with easy access to care, resources, and healing tools. The app would be a critical extension of our mission, making therapy more accessible and allowing us to expand our reach without compromising values. We’re looking for something secure, intuitive, culturally thoughtful, visually calming and expandable over time.

Key Features We’d Love to Include:

Therapy Access

• Secure video integration (like Doxy.me or Google meets)

• Session reminders + scheduling support

• Optional in-app messaging with assigned therapists (HIPAA-compliant)

• Group Therapy Features

  • Secure sign-up for group sessions

  • Group agreements and session reflections

• Therapist Matching

  • New client matching tool based on lived experience and modalities

  • Intake form submission

  • Therapist bios and short “about me” videos

Client Portal Connection

• Integration with TherapyNotes or TherapyPortal (APIs available)

  • Upload/download documents (treatment summaries, ROI forms)

• Financial Access

  • Access to invoices, superbills, and secure notes

  • Application form for sliding scale services

  • Donation button for our pro bono mental health fund

Culturally Rooted Mental Health Resources

• Downloadable tools (ancestral grounding, journal prompts, audio reflections)

• Short videos from our clinicians on identity, grief, boundaries, and more

• Reflection + Tracking Tools

  • Optional self-check-ins (mood, stress, intentions)

  • Journaling space or voice notes

  • Gentle push notifications that affirm rest, boundaries, and self-compassion

• Crisis Resources

  • Quick access to identity-affirming, non-carceral crisis lines (e.g., Trans Lifeline, BlackLine)

  • Filterable by region or identity

Community Education + Events

• View upcoming workshops and RSVPs

• Access recordings of past events

• Monthly blog/newsletter archive

Accessibility

• Multilingual (i.e. English, Spanish, Tagalog, Amharic, etc

• Screen-reader and large-font compatible

• Low-contrast/dark mode options

Technical Considerations

• Mobile: iOS and Android

• Compliance: Must be HIPAA compliant (we can help with this)

• Integration: TherapyPortal, Zoom for Healthcare, Doxy.me

• CMS or backend dashboard for our team to upload content and events

• Strong preference for open-source or low-cost tools we can maintain after launch

Why This Matters

Our clients often live in areas without culturally competent providers. Many have been harmed by traditional care models that pathologize their identities or ignore systemic trauma. This app is not about convenience — it’s about building care that honors survival, and access that respects lived reality. We want to make therapy easier to reach, especially for people who’ve been made to feel like it’s not for them.

How You Can Help

We’re looking for:

• A lead developer or small volunteer team

• UX/UI support, ideally from someone with experience in healthcare or social justice design

• Help choosing tools/platforms we can sustain

• Collaboration with our team — we’ll provide branding, copy, content, and support

If you’re someone who values care, equity, and community healing — we’d love to work with you!

Contact Info:

Dr. Kiley Dunne Lizama (she/her)

Co-Founder, Diaspora Therapy Group

Email: kiley@diasporatherapygroup.com

Website: www.diasporatherapygroup.com