Mobile Therapy: Can iPhone Apps Substitute Counseling And Psychology?

More than 50% of the United States has a smartphone and, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 5% of the adult population has a serious mental illness, so it’s no wonder that technology and psychology would begin to overlap.

Depression, expected to be the greatest “disease burden” in developed countries by 2030, affects millions of lives every day, many of whom are looking for ways to help themselves but cannot or do not want to go to traditional therapy. BBC reports that there are over 100 “medical” apps tagged with the term “depression,” many of which cost $1.99 each. Described by Dr. Steve Daviss of the American Psychological Association as the physician’s “black bag,” iPhone and iPad apps may assist people in certain aspects of treatment.

For example, rather than filling out several pages of a diary for the doctor–something many people, including myself, absolutely despise doing–it can be considered simpler and “less intrusive” to just hit a little smiley face or sad face to signify one’s mood. I personally used to use an app to keep track of pain more easily, which led to my doctors diagnosing me with Fibromyalgia, whereas I previously had a more difficult time recalling exact spots and details. Apps can make it quick and basic to describe your feelings to your doctor in a clear and concise manner.

As somebody who has been to at least ten different counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists and only benefitted from one, my own experiences with most professionals have rarely been positive ones. While I do not think these apps are necessarily helpful, I do understand the reasoning behind seeking help through them. When it seems like talking to people just isn’t working, or your financial circumstances simply won’t permit it, this type of option can become quite appealing.

Nevertheless, take caution in receiving assistance from apps, as they do not substitute a doctor’s advisement any more than WebMD is an alternative to a doctor’s diagnosis. The apps should be supplemental, not substitutive, for medial care.

Photo: Shutterstock

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