Why Choose Plutonic?
Plutonic's services empower you level up your mental health
Express Your Feelings Safely
Research shows the numerous benefits of using an avatar in a virtual environment. Digital representations of you can create a sense of comfort and allow you to safely express your feelings and experiences. One Australian study found that over 25% of people prefer to speak about negative experiences during therapy in virtual reality versus face to face.¹
Effectively Address Your Needs
Research shows cognitive behavioral therapy using virtual spaces and your avatar facilitated by licensed mental health professionals can be just as effective as therapy in real life.²
Stay Actively Engaged
Tired of standard virtual therapy and meetings? We all are. Studies show we are more actively engaged and better retain information in immersive environments.
Join a Supportive Community
There is healing power in the numbers. Our growing community is a great place to connect with other people, build relationships and get the support you need to help improve your life.
How It Works
Individual Therapy | Coaching
Our services include using carefully crafted virtual spaces which you join with your avatar. Individual therapy and mental health coaching are facilitated by licensed mental health professionals which we vet and have working relationships with. Your selected mental health professional joins you with their avatar in the virtual space. Kick traditional teletherapy to the side and join us!
Sign Up for an Offering
Create Your Avatar³
Join Your Session⁴
Talk Therapy
Group Coaching
Our Team
MENTAL HEALTH | TECHNOLOGY
James Shu, CCWS
Plutonic Founder and CEO
1X Exit. 2X Founder. Avid gamer, developer and metaverse user. Experienced healthcare and technology entrepreneur and operator. James ran business development for OBMedical, a patient monitoring company that was acquired by Philips September 2018. He has previously worked in investment banking and investor relations for companies such as Axogen Inc (AXGN), Baebies and Nanovis.
Jennifer Trippett
Co-founder & Chief Technical Officer
Jennifer is a software engineer and technical founder with 8 years of overall experience and a strong focus on startups for the past 6 years. Originating her career at IBM, she led the development of seven enterprise-level hybrid mobile and web applications that remain in production today. Working in startups across fintech, healthcare, and AI, Jennifer has consistently taken on end-to-end management of software platforms, overseeing architecture, devops, data storage, web services, and both backend and frontend code. Her expertise spans various industries, reflecting her ability to adapt and lead in diverse technical environments.
Amy Ahn, PhD
Mental Health Clinical Advisor
Dr. Ahn received her undergraduate degree in human development from Cornell University, and her master’s degree and Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of Miami. Dr. Ahn has expertise in leveraging automated measurement tools to conduct quantitative research on young children’s socio-emotional development, including social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder. Her current research focuses on using a mixed-methods approach to develop, refine, and implement an evidence-based, indicated prevention program to better fit the needs of teens who have anxiety and depressive symptoms, and/or other emotional concerns in racially- and culturally-diverse high school settings.
Michael Ehrig, LMFT
Clinical Advisor & Therapy Provider
Mr. Ehrig received his undergraduate degree in psychology and his master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of La Verne. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and has years of experience working in diverse populations and environments such as school settings, community mental health, and private practice. Additionally, his integration of technology into psychotherapy has led to unique opportunities to write, present, and train therapists domestically and internationally.
Dr. Mercianna R. Oliver, PhD, LPC, BC-TMH, NCC, ACS Mental Health Clinical Advisor and Therapy Provider
Dr. Mercianna Oliver is a licensed professional counselor and counselor educator who works with clients to provide individual counseling and coaching services. With over a decade of experience in the field, Mercianna believes in empowering clients to be their most authentic selves by focusing on the power of narrative and self-talk to redefine their story. Dr. Oliver, a proud Xavier University of Louisiana alumna, holds a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Mercer University.
1. Realistic Motion Avatars are the Future for Social Interaction in Virtual Reality
2. Treatment of social anxiety disorder using online virtual environments in Second Life.
3. Some avatars are from ReadyPlayerMe.
4. Some virtual spaces are hosted on Spatial.io.
CRISIS RESOURCES
