Therapist in my pocket

摘要

Lie down anywhere that suits: the world is now your therapist's couch. People with problems such as anxiety or mood swings are turning to smartphone apps for advice. According to the US National Alliance on Medical Illness, 59 per cent of adults in the US with a mental health condition have not received relevant services in the past year. Smartphones could help make these services more accessible and affordable. One app with this aim is PTSD Coach, which lets people discreetly screen themselves and learn more about the disorder. Another is Moodnotes, which keeps track of emotional swings and offers new perspectives on situations. And on Talkspace users can anonymously text a therapist and receive a response within the next few hours, for a weekly fee.