Military & VeteransBrainLine
The BrainLine Military team reviewed many resources to collect this list of mobile apps that may be helpful to individuals living with PTSD, their loved ones, and their healthcare providers.
For more information about apps that may be helpful to those living with TBI and PTSD, read Life-Changing Apps for People with Brain Injury
| Name | Description | Price | Device | Helps With |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Coach | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to help you live with unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and impulses without avoiding them or being controlled by them. In ACT, you are encouraged to commit to actions so that you can live your life by your values, even in the face of these unpleasant experiences. This app was developed for Veterans, Service Members, and other people who are in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in consultation with a therapist. It offers exercises, tools, information, and tracking logs so you can practice what you’re learning in your daily life. | Free | iOS, Android | Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Stress |
| Anger and Irritability Management Skills (AIMS) | AIMS is designed for anyone coping with anger problems. The app provides users with education about anger, opportunities for finding support, the ability to create an anger management plan, anger tracking, and tools to help manage angry reactions. | Free | iOS, Android | Anger, Mood, PTSD |
| Behavior Tracker Pro | An application that allows caregivers, behavioral therapists, aides, or teachers to track behaviors and automatically graph them. Option to record video of behaviors or interventions to later review with doctors, parents, teachers or therapists. | $29.99 | iOS | Behavior, PTSD |
| Breathe2Relax | Portable stress management tool. The app is a hands-on diaphragmatic breathing exercise. Breathing exercises have been documented to decrease the body's “fight-or-flight” (stress) response,and help with mood stabilization,anger control, and anxiety management. | Free | iOS | Anxiety, Stress, PTSD |
| CBT-I Coach | CBT-i Coach is for people who are engaged in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia with a health provider, or who have experienced symptoms of insomnia and would like to improve their sleep habits. The app will guide users through the process of learning about sleep, developing positive sleep routines, and improving their sleep environments. It provides a structured program that teaches strategies proven to improve sleep and help alleviate symptoms of insomnia. | Free | iOS, Android | PTSD, Sleep Issues |
| CPT Coach | The CPT Coach mobile application is for people participating in cognitive processing therapy (CPT), an evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD. For patients, this app is designed to improve engagement and participation in CPT and enhance treatment outcomes. It is also intended to help CPT providers better adhere to the treatment protocol. Key features of the app include: An assessment tool for tracking symptoms and progress, CPT practice assignments and worksheets for each session, reminders for therapy sessions, and educational materials about CPT and its components. | Free | iOS | PTSD |
| Mindfulness Coach | Mindfulness has been shown to be effective for reducing stress, improving emotional balance, helping with anxiety and depression, and coping more effectively with chronic pain. This app was developed to help you learn how to practice mindfulness. It offers exercises, information, and a tracking log so that you can optimize your practice. | Free | iOS | Anxiety, Depression, Headache, PTSD, Stress |
| Mood Coach | Mood Coach is an app that helps you learn and practice Behavioral Activation. This app is designed to help you boost your mood through participation in positive activities. You can make a plan with positive activities and track your progress. | Free | iOS | PTSD, Depression, Mood, Behavior |
| Moving Forward | Moving Forward provides on-the-go tools and teaches problem solving skills to overcome obstacles and deal with stress. The app is designed for Veterans and Service members, but is useful for anyone with stressful problems. It is especially helpful in managing challenges such as: returning to civilian life, balancing school and family life, financial difficulties, relationship problems, difficult career decisions, and coping with physical injuries. It may be used alone or in combination with the free Moving Forward online course. | Free | iOS | Anxiety, Family Concerns, PTSD, Stress |
| PE Coach | PE Coach is designed to be used during psychotherapy provided by a behavioral health professional who is trained in Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy. PE Coach is not a self-help tool. However, military veterans, service members, and others with symptoms of PTSD who are receiving PE treatment can work together with their therapist to use the tools in this app during PE therapy to process the traumatic experience and reduce anxiety and fear. | Free | iOS, Android | PTSD |
| PTSD Coach | PTSD Coach was designed for those who have, or may have, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This app provides info about about PTSD, a self-assessment for PTSD, opportunities to find support, professional care, and tools that can help you manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD. Tools range from relaxation skills and positive self-talk to anger management and other common self-help strategies. You can customize tools based on your preferences and can integrate your own contacts, photos, and music. | Free | iOS, Android | PTSD |
| PTSD Family Coach | PTSD Family Coach is for family members of those living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The app provides extensive information about PTSD, how to take care of yourself, how to take care of your relationship with your loved one or with children, and how to help your loved one get treatment. Living with a family member who has PTSD can be incredibly stressful. PTSD Family Coach includes tools to help you manage this stress, including mindfulness exercises, tools to help you re-build your social networks, and tools to help with difficult thoughts and emotions. The app also provides a way for you to track your stress level over time, with specific feedback about your progress. Finally, PTSD Family Coach offers ways for you, and your loved one, to connect with support. | Free | iOS, Android | Caregiving, Family Concerns, PTSD |
| VetChange | VetChange is an app for Veterans and Service members who are concerned about their drinking and how it relates to posttraumatic stress after deployment, and for all people who are interested in developing healthier drinking behaviors. This app provides tools for cutting down or quitting drinking, tools for managing stress symptoms, education about alcohol use and how it relates to PTSD symptoms, and guidance to find professional treatment. You can use VetChange alone or in combination with counseling. | Free | iOS, Android | Alcohol & Substance Use, PTSD |
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Posted on BrainLine February 16, 2018.
Comments (3)
Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
I am a victim of parent on child violence and molestation mentally, sexually, physically by father. Both parents addicts to narcotics. I am not. I used uppers to cope. I have received outpatient treatment twice. I am gay, and meth took a hold of my life and my husbands. He became abusive and sociopathic and almost caused my suicide. I took a different path. Being raised where black socks for Christmas was an appreciated blessing, I am on state Medicaid and HIV positive due to rape. I took care of my mother through 2 years of cancer treatment on my own. And I just left a safe house and returned home. I am still scared about my husband and individuals using drugs. I lost my job for going to the safe house. I have a degree in Psych and Social Work. I was denied mental health benefits and have gone through the only option available 4 times and never been given more than an hour of CBT. I want CBT, EMDR, Neuro feedback, I want my (I’m sorry but ducking with an f life back). I’ve tried everything but robbing a bank. I’m losing hope. Sincerely Andy
Wonita Woolhouse replied on Permalink
Hi - I would like to know where I can find an app whereby my clients can programme in their specific grounding strategies developed in therapy with myself. It is not always going to be a cookie cutter app to suit all, so something that would allow adaptations to assist with individuation would be of value. Anyone know of anything (from NZ!!). Thanks
Trucker64 replied on Permalink
As a patient I participated in a trauma study using an app called morpheus. They use anti dissociation skills, i can record the therapy and listen to it again later and most important I can track my progress made. Now Im no longer in therapy but maybe morpheus can be helpful for others who are in PTSD treatment.