Inspired by research in projective psychology, visual cognition, and AI pattern recognition.
Our approach
Luma uses images and language to help you notice patterns in how you see and respond. We are transparent about what that involves—and what it does not.
Why images?
For more than a century, clinicians and researchers have used ambiguous visual stimuli to study how people project meaning, memory, and feeling onto what they see. The Rorschach inkblots are the best-known example. Luma is not the Rorschach—we do not administer a standardized test or score responses against clinical norms.
We are inspired by the same broad idea: images can invite reflection before you have a neat verbal story. In expressive and arts-informed work, visual metaphor is often used to externalize inner experience and support meaning-making in a therapeutic relationship. Luma borrows that spirit for a self-guided, digital prompt—not therapy itself.
Choosing among images is a form of non-verbal self-expression: what pulls you, what you avoid, and what you return to can be as informative as what you would say in a questionnaire— with the caveat that none of this is measurement in a clinical sense (see below).
What the AI does
When you complete a flow, your image choices and any text you add are sent to a large language model (e.g. GPT-4 class models) that generates interpretive copy: themes, tensions, and language meant to mirror and extend your reflection.
The model does not access medical records, diagnose conditions, or apply validated psychometric scoring. It produces plausible, empathetic narrative based on patterns in your inputs—useful for self-reflection, not for clinical decision-making.
Outputs can be wrong, overly general, or misaligned with your situation. Treat them as starting points for your own judgment, not as facts about who you are.
What this is NOT
- Not a diagnostic tool—it does not identify mental health disorders or replace assessment by a qualified professional.
- Not therapy—there is no therapeutic relationship, duty of care, or individualized treatment plan.
- Not a substitute for professional support—if you are in crisis or need care, please contact a licensed clinician or emergency services in your area.
Our inspiration
We read widely; the list below is not exhaustive. These works illustrate threads we find thought-provoking —from how projective methods are evaluated, to emotional processing through visual art, to how LLMs are being discussed in mental health research. Citing them does not mean Luma is "validated" by them; they inform our honest framing.
(a) Image-based projection and projective techniques
Lilienfeld, S. O., Wood, J. M., & Garb, H. N. (2000). The scientific status of projective techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 1(2), 27–66. DOI: 10.1111/1529-1006.002
A landmark critical review of projective tests—useful context for why Luma avoids claiming clinical validation.
(b) Visual art and emotional processing
Weinfeld-Yehoudayan, A., Czamanski-Cohen, J., Cohen, M., & Weihs, K. L. (2024). A theoretical model of emotional processing in visual artmaking and art therapy. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 90, 102196. DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2024.102196 · PMC open-access version
Connects nonverbal, embodied experience in artmaking to emotional processing—parallel themes to "noticing before naming," outside a therapy room.
(c) AI and mental health tools
Guo, Z., Lai, A., Thygesen, J. H., Farrington, J., Keen, T., & Li, K. (2024). Large language models for mental health applications: Systematic review. JMIR Mental Health, 11, e57400. DOI: 10.2196/57400 · Journal page
Surveys LLM uses and risks in mental health contexts; aligns with treating Luma as a reflective aid, not a clinical instrument.
Luma is not here to label you.
It is here to help you notice.
Why this works differently
Many tools try to explain relationships — astrology, personality tests, tarot. Luma takes a different path.
Not assigned — observed
We don’t assign you a type or sign. We watch what you actually choose — and build patterns from that.
Not fixed — evolving
Your patterns aren’t permanent. Each reflection updates your map as you change.
Not abstract — personal
Instead of general meanings, Luma reflects your specific emotional patterns — shaped by your own inputs.
This isn’t about belief. It’s about seeing something real in yourself — and what happens between you.