THANK GOODNESS for technology, amiright?! More recently, I would say, THANK GOODNESS for some of the new therapy apps. You can download amazing resources, many free, that can assist in healing, keep you grounded when away from therapy, and teach you things that perhaps your therapist never knew you needed to hear.

I thought I would list a few apps today for all those who are interested in amazing potential that technology has to improve your emotional life.

 

1. Headspace- a meditation app that strives to help users feel quickly and easily connected to the practice of meditation. Headspace subscribes to research that says that doing 10 minutes a day of mindfulness is emotionally hygienic and has numerous benefits to your brain which increase emotional resilience. You can download this for free, but for continued new content it is subscription based, similar cost to a service like Spotify.
2. Lantern- Lantern is another subscription service. They market themselves as affordable and accessible programs for emotional wellness. Using a CBT model, Lantern allows you to message a coach and get daily feedback. They have interactive exercises and daily “sessions” available. Costs are around $33 bucks a month.
3. Mood Notes (if iphone) or Diary- Mood Tracker- are thought journals designed to interrupt your day to help you check in with yourself. You can rate yourself, take a moment to become aware of yourself, and keep accurate feedback for the next time you see your therapist. Similarly, EMoods Bipolar mood Tracker is a great app for those who are trying to keep better track of their ups and downs. Whether you have been recently diagnosed, worry you are diagnosed, or have known a long time, knowing your ups and down is essential for anyone living with Bipolar I or Bipolar II.
4. PTSD Coach- this app, designed for Veterans, provides education, assessemtn, and opportunities to find support. Users can customize the app. The app helps you track symptoms, learn, manage symptoms by teaching tools, and connect to support.  It is free.
5. ACT Coach- if you are my patient, you might know how much I love Acceptance and Commitment therapy. This app, also created with Veterans in mind, offers exercises tools, information, and tracking logs to help you practice what you are learning. ACT aims to help you live with unpleasant thoughts, feelings, impulses without avoiding them or being controlling by them.

There are potentially hundreds of other apps out there to help. Stay tuned for more app recommendations. This isn’t even scratching the surface.