--- title: "Choose a conversation mode for the kind of reflection you want | Moodwell" description: "Compare Vent, Reflect, Plan, and Calm so a guided conversation starts with the kind of exchange you want right now." url: "https://www.moodwell.ai/guides/choose-a-guided-conversation-mode" --- 1. [Home](https://www.moodwell.ai/) 2. [Guides](https://www.moodwell.ai/guides) 3. Choose a conversation mode for the kind of reflection you want Mindfulness # Choose a conversation mode for _the kind of reflection you want_ Compare Vent, Reflect, Plan, and Calm so a guided conversation starts with the kind of exchange you want right now. Moodwell Updated September 20, 2026 3 minute read In brief Choose Vent when you want to put something into words, Reflect when you want to explore it, Plan when you want a practical next step, or Calm when you want a brief present-focused exchange. These modes shape Guided Conversations; they are separate from the named AI coach personas. In this guide 1. [Decide how you want to think through the question](https://www.moodwell.ai/guides/choose-a-guided-conversation-mode#name-the-support) 2. [Match the mode to the exchange you want](https://www.moodwell.ai/guides/choose-a-guided-conversation-mode#compare-the-modes) 3. [Example: a decision and an unresolved conversation](https://www.moodwell.ai/guides/choose-a-guided-conversation-mode#different-questions-example) 4. [Evaluate the reply as a suggestion](https://www.moodwell.ai/guides/choose-a-guided-conversation-mode#keep-the-role-clear) ## Decide how you want to think through the question Before opening a guided conversation, ask what kind of exchange would be useful. You may want to express frustration without immediately receiving a list of tasks, examine a situation more closely, or decide on something practical. These are different starting points. Choosing one does not mean the others are wrong or that you must know exactly where the conversation will end. Moodwell Guided Conversations offers Vent, Reflect, Plan, and Calm. The modes guide the approach of the AI response. They are distinct from the named personas in the AI coach directory. Choosing a coach elsewhere is not the same action as selecting how you want to begin this reflection session. ## Match the mode to the exchange you want Vent is oriented around hearing what you want to express, rather than immediately proposing solutions. Reflect emphasizes questions and tentative observations. Plan moves toward a small, practical next step. Calm uses a shorter, present-focused approach instead of asking you to analyze the whole situation. Read the mode descriptions and choose what fits your purpose. The mode is a starting instruction for AI, not a guarantee about every reply. You can clarify what you need in your message, correct an assumption, or stop an exchange that is not useful. Your description of the situation still supplies the context for the conversation. - Do I want to be heard before considering suggestions? - Is there a question I want to explore without deciding immediately? - Am I ready to choose a practical action that fits my circumstances? - Would a brief exchange fit better than a detailed discussion right now? ## Example: a decision and an unresolved conversation After a frustrating meeting, you might choose Vent and say: “I want to put this into words before deciding what to do.” On another occasion, the facts may already be clear and you want to prepare a follow-up question. Plan could be a more useful starting point for that task. If you are unsure why one part of the meeting stayed with you, Reflect may fit the question better. Describe the actual exchange and your uncertainty. The choice is about what you want to do with the conversation, not an assessment of your mental state or a requirement to follow a fixed sequence of modes. ## Evaluate the reply as a suggestion Guided conversations use AI credits. Read the response against the facts you supplied and notice where it introduces an assumption. A tentative interpretation can be worth considering without becoming the explanation you adopt. When a practical suggestion depends on information you have not provided, clarify that before deciding whether it fits. The guide is AI, not a human professional or a clinical service. A useful result might be a clearer question, a short account of what happened, or one action to consider. You can revisit the session later with new context, but you do not need to keep generating replies merely to reach a neat conclusion. Related Moodwell feature ## Choose how to begin a focused reflection Guided Conversations offers Vent, Reflect, Plan, and Calm modes within sessions you can revisit. [Explore guided conversations](https://www.moodwell.ai/mindfulness/guided-conversations) Keep reading ## Related guides Mindfulness 3 minute read ### [AI and mental wellbeing: useful support and clear limits](https://www.moodwell.ai/guides/ai-and-mental-health) Understand where an AI wellbeing tool can help, where it can be wrong, and when a person or professional should take the lead. Read the guide Mindfulness 3 minute read ### [Prepare one clear question for a guided conversation](https://www.moodwell.ai/guides/prepare-for-a-guided-conversation) Give an AI conversation a useful starting point, keep facts separate from assumptions, and leave with a takeaway you can evaluate. Read the guide Mindfulness 3 minute read ### [Separate facts from interpretations in a journal entry](https://www.moodwell.ai/guides/separate-facts-from-interpretations) Write down what happened, what you think it means, and what remains unknown before deciding how to respond. Read the guide Moodwell ## Bring the whole day into _one place_ Choose Android or iOS to see the current release, beta, or waitlist option. [Android Beta](https://www.moodwell.ai/beta/android) [iOS Waitlist](https://www.moodwell.ai/waitlist/ios)