Toxifree: How an app aims to help women overcome toxic relationships
Many people are familiar with relationships in which they feel misunderstood or even manipulated. But breaking free from them is often a difficult and lengthy process. This is exactly where Toxifree an app developed in Karlsruhe that aims to help women in particular to recognize toxic relationship patterns, reflect on them and free themselves from them.
The brains behind Toxifree
Behind the app are Patricia Masur, psychological counselor for women, and Melanie Reis, UX/UI designer and AI expert. The two founders have combined their expertise to develop a digital companion that supports women on their path to greater clarity and self-determination.
The need for neutral and supportive guidance
“In my work as a psychological counsellor, I see time and again how difficult it is for many women to recognize toxic patterns and free themselves from them,” explains Masur. “There is often a lack of neutral, empowering support to help with self-reflection. This is exactly where Toxifree comes in.”
UX/UI designer Melanie Reis adds: “It was important to me to create a digital tool that is not only informative, but also intuitive to use. By using AI, we wanted to develop support that is empathetic, interactive and available at all times.”
The app combines psychological expertise with sophisticated UX design and AI technology to offer users a personalized and safe way to deal with their relationship situation.
The functions of Toxifree
The app offers a range of functions that help users to reflect on their relationships. “A central element of the app is Elvi, a personal AI chatbot that is available around the clock. Elvi provides impulses for reflection and helps users to better categorize their feelings and experiences. It’s not about evaluating a relationship or making diagnoses, but rather about helping women to come to terms with their own needs and boundaries,” say the founders.
Data protection and security of user data
Many people are now used to using AI at work, but sharing personal information about their relationship with an AI could be unsettling for some people at first. We therefore asked the founders about how they handle user data.
They explain: “Elvi does not require any sensitive personal data, but works exclusively with the content of the conversation that the user voluntarily shares in the chat. In order to offer the most individualized support possible, the previous course of the conversation is taken into account. This allows Elvi to address previous topics and respond specifically to the user’s needs.” Reis and Masur reassure anyone wondering what happens to this data: “Our data protection concept meets high security standards to ensure user trust.”
Who can use Toxifree?
So far, Toxifree is primarily aimed at women, but this does not mean that it is not accessible to other people. “Toxifree is initially focusing on women*, as studies and experience show that they are particularly frequently affected by toxic relationship dynamics and often find it difficult to access suitable support services.
Our aim was to create support tailored specifically to their needs. At the same time, we don’t want to exclude anyone who is in a similar situation. Anyone who finds the content and functions of the app helpful can use it. We are aware that men and non-binary people can also be affected by toxic relationships and need support,” say the founders.
Limits of the app – no substitute for therapy
The app can provide support, information and encouragement – but it is not a substitute for psychotherapy. Reis and Masur believe it is important to make the limitations of the app clear to users.
“Toxifree was developed to provide support, but is not a substitute for therapy. To ensure that users are aware of this, this is clearly communicated during onboarding. The app is only accessible to women aged 18 and over, and every user confirms before using it that they are not in an acute mental health crisis and should seek professional help if they are experiencing serious mental stress,” explains Reis.
More than just an app – a vision for the future
For Reis and Masur, however, Toxifree is more than just an app. They want it to have an impact beyond individual advice: “We dream of a global community in which women can encourage and learn from each other. A community that is committed to healthy relationships, self-determination and emotional well-being – with Toxifree at their side as a digital companion,” say the two founders.