 These days, our smartphones give us access to many powerful tools for supporting our efforts to maintain positive mental health, and to achieve our goals. Some smartphone apps are excellent adjuncts to psychotherapy and psychiatry as well. For example, a central component of cognitive behavioral therapy is “self-monitoring” – i.e., tracking behaviors, moods, and thoughts over time. What better way to do that than with a tiny computer you already keep in your pocket all day, every day?! Below are a few of my favorite psychology and mental health related apps, podcasts, and other online resources. I’m just scratching the surface here - explore what’s out there to meet YOUR needs! Smartphone Apps...SAM app Self help for anxiety & panic based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Provides information about anxiety, and a place to track your symptoms, triggers, and strategies for tolerating and reducing anxiety. Five Minute Journal app We know that fostering gratitude is a powerful way to improve mood, and this app helps you do so in just 5 minutes a day. It also feeds you an inspiring quote each morning to start your day right, and encourages you to make daily goals and focus on positive events. Pacifica app A self help app utilizing principles of cognitive behavior therapy and meditation for tracking moods, altering unhelpful thoughts, lowering anxiety, ending panic attacks, and more. Optimism app A comprehensive app for monitoring your mental health and taking care of yourself. Track moods, habits, health behaviors, self care strategies, emotional triggers, symptoms, and more. Generate charts and reports for yourself and/or your therapist or psychiatrist. Headspace, Meditation, Insight Timer, Calm, & MindSpace apps The many psychological and physical benefits of meditation are well-documented. These are excellent apps for supporting you in starting and maintaining a meditation practice. No experience required for most of these. Saying When app A tool for those working on moderating alcohol and other substances. Set goals, track usage and coping strategies. P (Period) Tracker Lite app Hormone changes related to menstrual cycles wreak havoc on some women's moods. Use this app for tracking your menstrual cycle, along with daily symptoms, moods, and more (customizable). Podcasts (all available on the Stitcher app)Dear Sugar Radio podcast An advice podcast in which the hosts respond to letters with a depth and wisdom that far surpasses the typical printed advice column. The Savvy Psychologist podcast Touches on psychological topics and science in the form of 5-10 minute segments with a self-help tone. Examples include distinguishing introversion from social anxiety, and how to deal with sarcastic people. Note To Self podcast Explores the effects of technology on our lives. Tackles questions about what role we want technology to play, and how to push back against problems like information overload, cellphone addiction, attention deficits, social media frustrations, etc. The Experts Speak podcast 15-20 minute expert interviews on interesting mental health topics. Designed for both professionals and non-professionals. Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast Guests share their stories about their mental and emotional struggles related to mental illness and their most challenging life events and circumstances. The Ted Radio Hour podcast Hour-long segments featuring experts on a variety of intriguing, broad topics about human beings and the world in which we live. Solo Parent Life podcast Local Psychologist Robbin Rockett hosts this informative show that covers a variety of issues relevant to single parenting. Learn refreshing tips and find out how to connect with supportive resources and other single parents in the comunity. A Therapist Walks Into a Bar podcast Bay Area psychotherapist Lily Sloane interviews people in local bars about a variety psychological and relationship topics to get interesting and diverse persepctives. Some episodes are interviews with other mental health professionals. Sexy Marriage Radio podcast Frank discussions about intimacy and sex in marriage. While many themes are universal to longterm relationships, the language is geared toward monogamous heterosexual couples. Note: the hosts identify as Christians, but religion is not the focus. Save the Marriage podcast Ideas and inspiration to help you if youve got problems or a crisis in your marriage. Spouses can listen together or separately, and even very busy folks can find time to listen. Online Streaming ResourcesHome podcast (aka hip sobriety)
http://www.hipsobriety.com/home-podcast/ A thoughtful and interesting podcast about navigating sobriety. Those working on moderating their use of substances will also find value in this podcast. Kaiser Permanente guided meditations www.kp.org Kaiser has many FREE streaming and downloadable recording that focus on specific topics like immune function, stress, anxiety, sleep, fibromyalgia, and more. You don’t need to be a Kaiser member. Go to Kaiser's site and click on “health and wellness,” then “live healthy,” then “podcasts.” Comments are closed.
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January 2025
AuthorMaysie Tift is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Master Hypnotist who sees clients in her San Rafael, CA office and online. |
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