Best iOS Counseling Apps To Use While Self-Isolating & Social Distancing
In today’s modern world there are endless iPhone apps that can help with every aspect of being human. There has always been many barriers to seeking counseling, but a worldwide pandemic has only exacerbated the problem. Many people are now leaving their homes much less often since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Children are home from school and thus are less likely to receive support at school. Additionally, with millions of Americans unemployed, and many losing their insurance, it is an especially difficult time to afford therapy.
Fortunately, there are iOS apps specifically designed to help with a variety of mental health challenges. Many of these apps are free and even the ones that do cost, are still only a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, which is often quite expensive and difficult to cover through insurance. Additionally, they can be downloaded in a matter of minutes and involve very little commitment. Unlike traditional therapy, which is often an involved and time-consuming process of finding the right therapist, iOS counseling apps are easy to try out and can be deleted and replaced if they are not the right fit.
While there are many apps offering creative approaches to mental health, there are some that aim to replicate the traditional therapy model. One such app is BetterHelp which comes with a team of licensed professionals and matches each user with one that appears to be a good fit based on a questionnaire. Once a user is matched with their therapist, they are able to interact with them via BetterHelp’s messaging system at any time and can also schedule live phone or video sessions which are similar to other online therapy. Membership, which includes unlimited contact with a counselor, costs between $60 to $80 USD per week and can be easily cancelled at any time.
Another iOS app offering online counseling that is similar to what one might expect with traditional therapy is Talkspace. Like BetterHelp, Talkspace pairs each user with a licensed counselor whom they can then contact from their laptop, iPad, or iPhone at any point through the iOS app. In addition to talk therapy, there is also a psychiatry portion of Talkspace which works similarly to the regular Talkspace app, but which enables users to speak to a psychiatrist and to be prescribed medication easily. There are several varieties of Talkspace membership available which range from $260 to $396 USD a month.
In addition to apps providing traditional therapy, there are also many iOS apps available which provide other forms of mental health relief. One great option is MindShift, a free app created in Canada which uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help its users cope with mild to moderate anxiety. MindShift, which was designed to specifically benefit teens and young adults, uses CBT based tools to provide quick relief from anxiety symptoms. MindShifts’s features include a thought journal, coping cards, healthy habit tips and a “chill zone” where users can listen to guided meditations. Unlike BetterHelp and talkspace, which do have a monthly cost, MindShift is completely free making it a great iOS option with no barrier of entry.
Source: BetterHelp, Talkspace, MindShift