TherAppy: Apps that can change your life

by Jon Johnston, LPC Practicum Intern

Looking for help staying motivated and practicing new skills you’ve learned in session? There’s an app for that. Apple’s App Store and Google Play are packed with thousands of apps that help encourage you to build positive habits, boost your motivation, and stay inspired while make lasting changes in your life. With so many choices, it’s hard to know where to begin but the following should be enough to get you started:

Momentum

Available App Store (Free with Available In-App Purchases)

Trying to build helpful habits? Momentum has you covered. This habit-tracking app helps you to build positive habits, stay motivated, and accomplish your goals. Every day you complete a habit, your chain grows longer. As your chain grows longer, you become less likely to give up and “break the chain.”

HiFutureSelf

Available App Store (Free)

What if we could send our future selves words of encouragement? With HiFutureSelf you can. This app lets you setup affirmations, reinforcements, and motivational messages that will be sent to you via email or text at a future time and date. It can also be used to remind you to practice skills at specific times of day. Think of it as the digital equivalent to the rubber band reminder around your wrist.

iCBT

Available App Store ($5.99)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a popular evidence based model of therapy. iCBT is a personal CBT tool that helps you manage stress and anxiety. Enter thoughts and let the app guide you through the process of working with cognitions and emotions. iCBT also monitors your mood before and after the process.

SuperBetter

Available App Store (Free) and Google Play (Free)

Maybe games are your thing. If so, SuperBetter can bring more “play” into your life (iOS & Android, Free). SuperBetter can help build personal resilience—the ability to stay strong, motivated, and optimistic in the face of difficult obstacles. Playing SuperBetter makes you more capable of getting through any tough situation—and more likely to achieve the goals that matter most to you. The app uses game elements such as quests, powerups, character leveling, and fighting bad guys as an entertaining way to address real life issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic illness, or post-traumatic stress.

Buddhify

Available App Store ($4.99) and Google Play ($2.99)

If you feel like you need a little more “calm” in your life, Buddhify can help get you there. This meditation and mindfulness app boasts over 80 guided meditations that are customized to wherever you are and whatever you’re doing—traveling, at work, at home, going to sleep, and more. Buddhify gives you a simple but effective way to bring more mindfulness and calm to your busy day.

About Jon Johnston: Jon Johnston is a counseling practicum intern at Amberton University, with two decades of study in meditation, mindfulness, music and psychology. Jon studied meditation at the Zen Mountain Monastery in New York, where he learned from author and renowned expert in the field, John Daido Loori. Jon is now offering free initial consultations at Dallas Whole Life Counseling in person, by phone, or via Skype. Click to learn more.

Jonathan Anderson 1 year ago

I have known James for over twenty years and wholeheartedly vouch for him as an exceptional therapist and business coach. He is one of the most intelligent and compassionate people I have seen in my 25 years as a mental health provider and corporate coach. James has a remarkable talent for identifying and leveraging individuals' natural strengths, crafting interventions that empower rather than foster dependency on therapy. Beyond his professional skill, James incorporates a disarming sense of humor, creating an atmosphere where clients feel at ease.

James is talented therapist who works confidently with depression, anxiety and trauma, and who particularly excels as a couples therapist and business/corporate coach. He has a unique ability to help couples build skills that provide insight and connection while still challenging each person to manage issues in their "blind spots.”

His skill with relationship building extends to business relationships, leadership and growth. A business owner himself, James' insight into how companies evolve and thrive allows entrepreneurs to quickly understand what is needed thrive and how to incorporate those strategies.

James has owned and managed Dallas Whole Life for over 20 years and he ensures a commitment to excellence by assembling a team of top-tier mental health professionals that includes counselors, psychologists and coaches. Dallas Whole Life is a well-respected practice in the DFW area and has been featured in the Dallas Morning News, and several local and national tv and radio media outlets.

I do not hesitate to refer people to Dallas Whole Life for their virtual therapy and coaching needs.

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Kristen O'Neill 3 year ago

This is a wonderful practice and I consider myself very lucky to have found them. I saw James for a while out of network and he was worth his weight in gold. I truly appreciated the methods used as they really did help me to grow. James was perfectly compassionate and direct and I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Dallas Wholelife Counseling 4 year ago

I would like to say after working in this field for a while I absolutely love working at Dallas Whole Life , the owners Dr Heather and James Robbins actually care about connecting you with the right therapists , so your needs are met. , They are definitely in this business to help others. Our therapists are the best ! I cant say enough about the therapists , the owners and the difference we want to make , Its a great place to be !!!! Betsy Carter

Donald James Wall 4 year ago

Dallas Whole Life Counseling, has been a useful resource for me. In offering online appointments, Dallas Whole Life makes practicing mindfulness simple. Steve is the associate I speak with and he's as dynamic as he is resourceful. I highly recommend the Dallas Whole Life experience.

Tina Dunne 7 year ago

I have had an excellent experience with Steve Reedy. What initially began as couples' therapy transitioned into personal therapy that helped me address deep-seated issues that have negatively impacted my life for many years. Steve wasn't confrontational and didn't lecture me what my issues were. Instead, he helped lead me until I had those "ah ha" moments of self discovery. As a result of Steve''s counseling, I have a whole new, positive attitude about myself, which has changed the way I interact with others as well. Pursuing counseling with Steve has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life journey. I wholeheartedly recommend Steve.

Nicolette Mechem 11 year ago

I have been a client of both James and Heather Robbins for 4 years now. Initially, I sought therapy to address a difficult situation at the time. However, my experience was so positive that I have continued on as a client. I would say that without a doubt the advice and council I have received has improved the quality of my life significantly. James and Heather have a demeanor and style that is extremely versatile and appealing to all. In fact, when I got engaged I encouraged my fiance start seeing James. My fiance was not a believer in therapy and had never been to see a psychologist before. He found Jame's advice to be so impactful that he now has a regular appointment with him and looks forward to their conversations.
It is a unique offering to be able to get couple's therapy from a very happily married couple. My fiance and I are very appreciative of all the help James and Heather have given our relationship.