Hi, I'm Erica K. King, PhD.

I'm a health psychologist by training, a psychology professor by day, and a builder by curiosity. I earned my PhD in health psychology studying how people manage stress, and my dissertation became LivingSMART (Living Stress Management and Relaxation Training), a program grounded in Herbert Benson's Relaxation Response.

For years I taught stress management the traditional way: lectures, worksheets, breathing exercises. Then AI arrived, and I saw something new. The research-backed tools I'd been teaching could now become apps, quizzes, and interactive practices that people actually use.

So I started building.

What you'll find here

• AI for real life. Plain-language guides to using tools like Claude and ChatGPT for teaching, wellness work, and creative projects, with no coding background required.
• Psychology + wellness. Evidence-based stress management strategies such as breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and cognitive reframing, explained by someone who has studied them for years.
• Build with me. Behind-the-scenes looks at the apps I'm making, including the Stress Reset App and the Stress Type Quiz, with every mistake included.

Who this is for

Educators who want to use AI thoughtfully. Wellness professionals who want digital tools for their clients. Creators and beginners who have an idea and want to build something useful.

My book

Spicy Signals: Decode Stress, Restore Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Calm brings together behavioral science, plant-based nutrition, and AI tools in a practical guide to stress relief. Learn more about the book →

A note on what I am (and am not)

I hold a PhD in health psychology and teach psychology at the university level. I'm not a licensed clinical psychologist, and nothing on this site is therapy or medical advice. Everything here is educational and meant to help you build healthier habits and better tools.

Let's stay in touch

Join Lab Notes, my weekly email with new builds, research breakdowns, and free resources. Join Lab Notes →