Is an App Just as Good as a Therapist?

Reaching the end of your rope and need a few new ways to deal with it all? Maybe you’ve considered therapy but aren’t sure what will work best for you. There could be apps that might help but they may not be great for everyone. We have a breakdown of all the pros and cons, when to try an app and when to seek other options. Let's look at how they stack up to in-person therapy.

The Benefits of Therapy Apps

Therapy apps are a relatively new tool, so we’re still figuring out the extent of their usefulness, but preliminary research is promising. So far, studies have found the following benefits:

• Reduced stress and mood improvement. One study on mindfulness apps found that daily use could improve mood and reduce stress. Over the course of just a few weeks, app users expressed increased self-control and situational acceptance.
• Lower levels of anxiety and depression. Research on the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) app MoodMission has shown positive results, with many users reporting reduced levels of anxiety and depression. People suffering from moderate symptoms appear most likely to benefit. Similar apps may also help reduce stress levels and improve wellbeing in the workplace.
• Lower blood pressure levels and less job stress. The right app could even have positive effects on an individual’s blood pressure. In the UK, 238 healthy residents used a 10- to 20-minute guided meditation app an average of 17 times over an 8-week period. Participants took their blood pressure during each workday throughout the study, and they reported any feelings of distress or job strain as well as how supported they felt at work. App users showed benefits in all those areas.

Therapy apps also offer the added benefit of accessibility. One big plus to using a mobile app is, as long as the user has a smartphone, help is always available when it’s needed.

Not Always the Best Choice

Some apps might be helpful for people with mild to moderate depression or anxiety, but they have their limitations. Even more, they could be harmful to people suffering from severe depression or at a point of crisis. A study on the usefulness of apps in suicide intervention shows the lack of human interaction in some cases can be disastrous.

There’s also the issue of user rate. Even in cases where an app might be helpful, a person might not necessarily use it. Among people with access to a given mental health app, only about 10% have one installed on their phone. And only 3.3% of users stick with the apps for over a month.

Sometimes a person just needs to talk to someone, and no amount of guided meditation or automated tools can replace that. If you’re in a bad emotional place or can feel yourself slipping, consider finding an online therapist who serves people in your area. If you still want to use an app, keep it as a supplement, but also seek in-person, licensed, help if you feel you need more.

Avoiding Crisis

An app is unlikely to help out those who are more than moderately depressed or anxious, so if you’re just reaching out, but you’re already in desperate need, talk to someone now. The Suicide Hotline is available day and night. Call 1-800-273-8255 to speak with a crisis counselor or go to their website to engage via a live chat or view their language options. It’s free, it’s confidential, and it’s anonymous.

An app may not always replace a good therapist, but it could still help you get through your next rough patch. Why not give one a shot? You might try it alongside traditional therapy for the best of both worlds.

Copyright 2020, Wellness.com