25 Best Mental Health Apps to Download Today [2021 Update]

“There’s an app for that!” It used to be a tongue-in-cheek nod to the tidal wave of apps that were being created to meet every conceivable need—and some inconceivable ones too. There were apps to change your ringtone, apps to customize your background, apps to change your settings that could be managed perfectly well already, and apps to manage your apps.

There are still plenty of apps of questionable quality and necessity available, but the app craze has also led to the development of some really valuable, incredibly helpful, and even life-saving mental health apps.

Before you read on, we think you’ll enjoy our $1, 30-day trial of our mental health app Quenza, for full access to all of its tools and features. Designed by coaching and therapy professionals, our blended care app gives you all the tools you need to create and deliver customized mental healthcare solutions for your clients, so you can help them achieve maximum wellbeing.

Why Use Apps for Mental Health?

There are several reasons why it’s worth it to use apps in treating, maintaining, and working towards better mental health.

In a nutshell, these are greater convenience, ensuring compliance, and tracking patient progress.

1. Convenience

Gone are the days when people take home sheets of paper and complete their homework sitting at a desk.

Now, most people—especially young people—complete assignments on a digital device and often on the go. Even if the exercises and techniques haven’t changed much, the format has certainly been updated.

In blended therapy, this applies to interventions and exercises that can now be completed on the go:

This is where smartphone and other mobile apps like Quenza come in – by making exercises available online, they essentially make mental health more easily accessible.

2. Compliance

With automatic reminders, push notifications, and digital pop-ups, it’s now a breeze to stay on track. You don’t need to tie a string around your finger or set an alarm clock when your app can take care of that for you. Even if we have the best of intentions, our memory can fail us at times.

With an app that reminds you at regular intervals, you’re much more likely to actually do the work – it’s why reminders and notifications are a standard feature of the most effective mental health applications:

Notifications and to-dos from a mental health app can play a valuable role in building and maintaining client engagement in therapy. Over time, this can mean that users are more likely to stick with treatment long enough for it to be effective.

3. Tracking

You can complete regular entries in a journal and be very consistent, but if you want to do any sort of analysis on your progress, you’ll need to dig through your entries one by one. When you use an app, that tracking happens automatically. Most apps in the mental health arena offer ways to plot and review your progress over time.

It’s clear that apps can be really beneficial for therapists and coaches, as well as their clients. Now, the trouble is figuring out which ones are worth the download.

That’s where this piece can help.

6 Best Mental Health Apps for Psychologists

If you’re a psychologist, professional counselor, or another type of mental health care provider, there are several apps that can help you run your practice and improve your effectiveness.

Check out the tables below for six of the best available apps.

App	Details
	With Power Diary‘s tools, practitioners can streamline: Practice management solution Calendar management and scheduling Video chat feature Custom forms and templates Invoicing and billing functionality Client portal for secure document sharing
Name	Power Diary
Price	$5+ weekly
Good For	Coaches, solo practitioners
Website	https://powerdiary.com/

App	Details
	Quenza gives practitioners: A complete practice management software Including a library of evidence-based forms, templates, exercises, and activities Fully-customizable treatment pathways HIPAA-compliant Secure messaging Client notifications and reminders
Name	Quenza
Price	$1+ monthly
Good For	Solo practitioners, Coaches, Mental Health Providers
Website	https://quenza.com/

App	Details
	Full Slate is ideal for: Automated online scheduling Email reminders and text reminders Collecting credit card number, deposit, or full payment Calendar syncing Scheduling recurring appointments Class scheduling
Name	Full Slate
Price	$29.95+ monthly
Good For	Solo Practitioners, Small Businesses
Website	https://fullslate.com/

App	Details
	TheraNest is good for: A complete practice management solution HIPAA-compliant video chat Billing and invoicing Treatment planning support Progress notes EHR Care Management Software
Name	TheraNest
Price	$39+ monthly
Good For	Solo practitioners and small to large businesses
Website	https://theranest.com/

App	Details
	DoTimely supports: Invoicing and billing Online scheduling Payment processing Invoice and billing reminders Can handle packages and subscriptions Custom client pricing and discounts Staff pay capabilities
Name	DoTimely
Price	Free (basics) to $15+ month
Good For	Solo providers, Small businesses
Website	https://dotimely.com/

Tool	Details
	Acuity’s features include: A HIPAA compliant platform Online scheduling Can handle multiple providers and locations Payment processing Session reminders Organized client information
Name	Acuity Scheduling
Price	$14+ monthly
Good For	Solo practitioners and small to large businesses
Website	https://acuityscheduling.com/

Top 8 Apps to Recommend to Your Clients

If you’re looking for apps that you can recommend to your clients for their own personal use, there are tons of options there as well.

See the table below for 8 great apps that can help users manage, track, and improve their own mental health.

App	Details
	Developed by experts and packed with tips and tools for everyday life Includes over 200 mood improvement activities Tailors recommended activities to your needs Guidance to modify distressing thoughts Mood rating and tracking over time Custom journaling tool iOS calendar integration and reminders
Name	MoodKit
Good for	Anyone who wants to boost their own mood
Price	$4.99
Link	https://www.thriveport.com/products/moodkit/

App	Details
	App designed to help you deal with panic, stress, and anxiety in the moment Includes short animated videos with information on how to cope using 4 different techniques: deep breathing pattern, “breathing in squares”, relaxation technique, and a visualization technique Also includes information on what a panic attack is and why they happen
Name	Panic Relief
Good for	Anyone who struggles with anxiety or panic attacks
Price	$0.99
Link	Google Play or App Store

App	Details
	Hundreds of guided meditations The basics course is a 10-day beginner’s journey, and it’s free Short animated videos explaining meditation and mindfulness-related concepts Sleepcasts and winddowns to help you fall asleep or get back to sleep
Name	Headspace
Good for	Anyone who would like to be more mindful
Price	Free (basics) or $12.99/month (access to all content)
Link	htttps://www.headspace.com/

App	Details
	Science-based games and activities Aimed at helping users cope with stress and overcome negative thoughts Includes over 65 tracks customized to your goal(s) Unlimited access to games and meditations Includes a 20-page character strengths report from the VIA institute
Name	Happify
Good for	People who want to be happier, more mindful, and more resilient
Price	$11.67 – $14.99/month (based on billing) or $449.99 (lifetime membership)
Link	https://www.happify.com/

App	Details
	Offers multiple tools for a happier, healthier user Guided meditations Tools to help you sleep better Exclusive music for focus, relaxation, and sleep Video lessons on mindful movement and gentle stretching Masterclass audio programs taught by experts Nature scenes and sounds
Name	Calm
Good for	Anyone interested in meditation, mindfulness, and better sleep
Price	$69.99/year or $399.99 (lifetime membership)
Link	https://blog.calm.com/about

App	Details
	Online therapy tool After a brief assessment, users can pick their therapist Includes unlimited text, video, and audio messaging Therapist responds daily, 5 days per week
Name	Talkspace
Good for	People who want to work with a therapist but may struggle to do so in person
Price	$260/month and up
Link	https://www.talkspace.com/

App	Details
	Mental health management Features self-care tools, therapy, coaching, and community Clinically validated techniques to help the user manage their moods and thoughts Daily mood tracking, guided journeys, coping tools, meditations, and progress assessments
Name	Sanvello
Good for	People with stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related conditions
Price	Free (basic app) or $8.99/month and up (self-care portion)
Link	https://www.sanvello.com/

App	Details
	App to help the user deal with their worries Based on a four-part system: record, reflect, reason, and refute Features an anxiety journal where users can capture their anxious thoughts in detail Includes an anxiety tracker to help users identify and challenge their negative thought patterns and triggers Provides positive daily or weekly affirmations
Name	Worry Watch
Good for	Anyone who worries more than they’d like
Price	$3.99
Link	http://worrywatch.com/

11 Free Options

The apps listed above are all great apps, and their value far outweighs their cost; however, you know that some clients simply don’t have the extra funds to spend on apps.

Luckily, there are tons of free options available for these clients. Consider offering the 11 free mental health apps below as recommendations to your clients on a budget.

App	Details
	Evidence-based anxiety management app Uses scientifically proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Strategies include thought journals, belief experiments, building fear ladders, and comfort zone challenges Calming audio for reframing and practicing mindfulness Progress tracking and accountability
Name	MindShift
Good for	People with anxiety
Link	https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt/

App	Details
	Portable stress management tool Provides detailed information on the effects of stress on the body Includes exercises to help users learn diaphragmatic breathing exercises, which help decrease the fight-or-flight response and help with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management
Name	Breathe2Relax
Good for	Anyone who wants better strategies for dealing with stress
Link	App Store or Google Play Store

App	Details
	Gratitude journal app Guides the user through the “Three Good Things” exercise each evening Allows users to archive and review their good things each day Based on foundational research study on gratitude (“Counting Blessings versus Burdens”)
Name	Optimism
Good for	Anyone interested in practicing gratitude
Link	https://apps.apple.com/us/app/optimism-a-gratitude-journal/id1503981169

App	Details
	App that helps users understand and manage their anxiety Offers monitoring of anxious thoughts and behaviors over time Helps user manage their anxiety through self-help exercises and reflection “Social cloud” feature allows users to share their experiences with the SAM community while protecting their identity
Name	SAM: Self Help for Anxiety Management
Good for	People struggling with anxiety
Link	https://sam-app.org.uk/

App	Details
	Group of apps that offers users practical, proven skills for managing depression and anxiety Apps focus on anticipating and coping with stress, increasing gratitude, challenging harmful thinking, engaging in more activities, and more Offers interactive tools and immediate, in-the-moment support
Name	IntelliCare Hub
Good for	People who want help managing their depression or anxiety
Link	https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actualizetherapy.actualizehub&hl=en_US&gl=US

App	Details
	Designed by a collaboration between the VA and other leaders Supplementary app to help people who are in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Includes readings, resources, and assignments for between sessions PTSD system monitoring functionality
Name	CPT Coach
Good for	People with PTSD
Link	https://mobile.va.gov/app/cpt-coach

App	Details
	Starts with a mental health assessment to see whether you want to seek professional help Mood journal tracks users’ emotional state Checks on the user three times a day Provides an overview of the user’s emotional wellbeing More than 150 tools to work on mental health
Name	MindDoc
Good for	People struggling with their emotional well-being
Link	https://mymoodpath.com/en/

App	Details
	Peer support network Offers a group therapy feel with connection to other users Anonymous, instant support
Name	TalkLife
Good for	People who are feeling lonely or struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or self-harm
Link	https://www.talklife.co/

App	Details
	App with information, assessments, videos, and more to help users with their mental health Includes the PHQ-9 depression questionnaire to track symptoms over time Features a thought diary that allows users to record and analyze their thoughts and feelings, and identify negative thinking or distorted thinking Guides users in developing a safety plan
Name	MoodTools
Good for	Anyone struggling with feelings of sadness or depression
Link	https://www.moodtools.org/

App	Details
	Developed by the VA to help people in CBT for insomnia Involves a structured program on learning about sleep and strategies to improve sleep Guides the user in developing positive sleep routines and improving the sleep environment
Name	CBT-i Coach
Good for	People with insomnia who are in CBT
Link	https://mobile.va.gov/app/cbt-i-coach

App	Details
	Meditation and mindfulness app Includes courses and content from teachers on a wide range of mental health and meditation-related topics Includes guided meditations, music, and guided sleep exercises Features talks and events plus content from special guests
Name	Insight Timer
Good for	People interested in meditation and mindfulness
Link	https://insighttimer.com/

Final Thoughts

This piece introduced 25 different mental health-related apps that can provide mood-boosting, practice-improving, and life-enhancing value. While these 25 apps made the cut for inclusion here, there are tons of other apps out there that you may find to be effective for your or your clients.

Do some research on apps in your specialty and try some of them out for yourself to ensure you’re recommending only the best for your clients.

The bottom line is that apps are the therapeutic tools of the future. If you want to offer your clients the most impactful tools for growth, healing, and self-development, you’ll want to start incorporating apps like these.

We hope you enjoyed this review. To deliver your own unique solutions through a mental health app, don’t forget to check out our $1, 30-day practitioner trial of Quenza.

Our software is a complete mental health app for coaches, psychotherapists, and professional counselors, and will give you all the features and tools you need to share engaging online client interventions with those you help, so you can improve their wellbeing for the long run.