Why I Created AO+

When everything I had built started to unravel, I found myself searching—not just for relief, but for understanding. I didn’t want someone to “fix” me. I wanted a way to make sense of what I was experiencing and a path forward that felt grounded and real.

What helped me take the first steps wasn’t therapy at the time. It was philosophy.

I turned to Stoicism, Taoism, Buddhist philosophy, and the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi—each offered a lens to process uncertainty, change, and imperfection. They gave me language when I had none and reminded me that struggle could hold meaning. Eventually, I discovered something that changed my trajectory: the foundation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is deeply rooted in Stoic thought.

That moment connected everything for me.

I realized there was a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern psychology—but I didn’t yet know how to cross it. That insight pushed me to formally study psychology, and I’ll complete my Master of Science in Psychology at the end of June 2025. Before that, I spent 20 years in the military, serving in combat and leading through crisis while helping others navigate chaos and complexity. That leadership and psychological lens now shape everything I build.

AO+ is something I needed years ago—and it’s something I still use today.

I’ve gone to therapy, and I believe deeply in the value of traditional mental health services. This isn’t about replacing professional care—it’s about acknowledging a reality that many of us face. There have been countless moments when I needed someone to talk to—late at night, on a weekend, or in the space between appointments—when support just wasn’t available. AO+ was built for those moments.

It’s not therapy, and it’s not just another journaling app or mindfulness tool. AO+ is a conversational experience, rooted in psychology and influenced by timeless philosophy. It helps users explore what they’re feeling, process internal struggles, and begin to move forward—especially in moments when access to support is limited.

After using AI tools extensively for over a year, I noticed something missing. Most of what’s available today either skims the surface or leans too heavily on productivity hacks and clinical scripts. There’s very little that offers thoughtful, emotionally intelligent support without judgment or pretense. That’s the gap AO+ is designed to fill.

This isn’t a replacement for therapy. It’s a tool for those moments in between—when you’re not okay, when you don’t know what you need, or when you’re simply trying to hold it together.

My goal is to keep AO+ accessible, honest, and evolving. I’m building it with care, and with the people who use it in mind. If you’ve ever needed a space to reflect, reset, or just feel heard—this was made for you.

And it’s only the beginning.