The 9 Best Evidence-Based Mental Health Apps in 2022

10/5/22, 3:58 PM The 9 Best Evidence-Based Mental Health Apps in 2022
Top 9 Mental Health Apps in 2022

Supported by Science 11:41
Medically reviewed by N. Simay Gökbayrak, PhD — By Saundra Montijo and John M.
Grohol, Psy.D. — Updated on February 21, 2022
List What they are How we chose Our picks Comparison Tips
Recap
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Research-informed mental health apps are a great tool

for supplementing traditional treatment and promoting
mental wellness.
Jorg Greuel/Getty Images
It seems as if there’s an app for everything — from checking your email to

watching your favorite shows to even “speaking in dog.” 
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https://psychcentral.com/health/evidence-based-mental-health-apps#recap 1/47
There are also a seemingly endless number of health apps aimed at

helping you track your physical or mental health. But how do you decide
which ones are legit?
Just because an app is available doesn’t mean it’s been vetted as being
11:41
safe and effective for the condition or concern it targets. In fact, most
mental health apps are surprisingly not designed in conjunction with a
mental health expert. Because of that lack of expertise, some apps may
give just plain bad advice.
However, research-informed mental health apps may be different. Some

research  suggests that they may be a great tool to supplement
traditional therapy and to help manage your wellness needs.
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Lift of the best research-informed mental health

apps
If you want to jump directly to the sections for each app, you can click the
links below.
Best overall: Moodfit

Best for therapy: Talkspace
Best for meditation: Headspace
Best for stress: iBreathe 

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Best for anxiety: MindShift
Best for sleep: CBT-i Coach

Best for mood boost: Happify
Best for tracking symptoms: Bearable
Best for tracking medications: Medisafe 11:41

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What are mental health apps and what makes

them research-informed?
Mental health apps are digital tools to help improve your mental health
and wellness. While these apps can’t treat or diagnose any conditions,
they’re a convenient way to support your mental health journey in
addition to therapy or other forms of treatment.
Research  suggests that mental health apps can also help better monitor
and manage symptoms or disorders. However, while there are many
mental health apps available, not all of them are backed by research and
may not be as effective as those that are.
A research-informed app is based on techniques that have been

researched and found effective, such as:
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
mindfulness
meditation

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deep breathing
In some cases, the apps themselves may be backed by scientific

research, though it’s important to keep in mind that studies on specific
apps are often conducted by researchers with a link to the creators of the
app, which may influence results. Also, research on these apps is often
preliminary or ongoing, so it may take more time to determine how 11:41
effective they really are.
Some people use the term “evidence-based” interchangeably with

“research-informed,” but generally speaking “evidence-based” refers to
rigorous research, and it’s rare that apps have been studied thoroughly
and independently. Therefore, it’s often more appropriate to use the
phrases “research-informed” or “supported by research.”
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Criteria we used to pick

We took several factors into account when making our top app picks,
including:
Supported by research. Each of our selections is backed by

scientific research.
User reviews. We scoured the reviews to ensure each app is well-

received by the majority of actual users.
Price. We’ve included options that suit any budget — from free apps
to those requiring a one-time or monthly fee. 
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Vetting. All services have been vetted to ensure that they meet
Psych Central’s medical, editorial, and business standards.
Our picks of the best research-informed mental
health apps
Best overall 11:41
Moodfit
Price: Free for basic; Premium upgrade available
for $8.99/month
Available for: iPhone, Android
Described as “fitness for your mental health,”

Moodfit strives to get your mental health in shape.
It does this by offering a variety of science-backed
tools and activities to guide you on your mental wellness journey,
including:
mindfulness practices
guided breathing exercises
gratitude and mood journals

a thought diary based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
The app helps you establish healthy routines so that you can meet your
unique needs. It also tracks your habits, so you can identify patterns and
areas for improvement.
Why we chose it
Moodfit helps you find what works best to support your unique mental
health needs by offering a customizable suite of tools and resources.
What we like
It’s customizable to meet your unique goals.
It offers a wide variety of tools to fit your needs and preferences. 

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The app provides weekly and monthly summary reports to help you
identify patterns and discover what does (and doesn’t) work for you.
It’s easy to use with an intuitive interface.
What to look out for

A few users noticed longer loading times, particularly when inputting
tracking information. 11:41
Certain features are available only with an additional cost.
While Moodfit is built on science-backed techniques like CBT,

mindfulness, and deep breathing and is often included in review
studies  on mental health apps, research specifically on the app’s
effectiveness is lacking.
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MOODFIT
Best for therapy

Talkspace
Price: Varies depending on your location and
therapist availabilty; plans start at $65/week
Talkspace makes therapy easy, by providing

access to licensed mental health professionals
right from your phone. The app gives you direct
access to a therapist of your choosing, wherever and whenever you need
support.
This is a good option for those with busy schedules or who prefer to
speak with a therapist from where they feel most comfortable, instead of
going to an office.
You can choose to talk, video, or text chat with your therapist, or even
schedule a live session at a mutually convenient time. 
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Research from 2020  indicates that messaging with a therapist via

Talkspace helped reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Another
study from 2020  suggests that treatment delivered through text, voice,
and video messaging via Talkspace was similarly effective in reducing
symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as traditional forms of 11:41
treatment.
Still, it’s good to keep in mind that researchers involved in these studies
were connected to Talkspace, which may influence results.
Why we chose it
Talkspace offers 24/7 direct access to mental health professionals in a
variety of specialties, so you can find the support you need when you
need it.
What we like
Talkspace provides 24/7 direct access to licensed mental health
professionals.
It offers several ways to connect with therapists, including video,

text, and audio chat messaging.
You can change therapists, so you can find the right one for your
needs.

The relatively high cost may be a barrier for some.
Communication is not always live, so there may be a wait time for

responses from your therapist
If you’d like to learn more about Talkspace, consider reading our in-depth
review.
GET STARTED WITH

TALKSPACE 
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Best for meditation

Headspace
Price: $12.99/month; $69.99/year

11:41
The Headspace app uses mindfulness and
meditation tools and resources to help you live a
more mindful life. These practices are designed to
support your mental well-being by helping relax
your mind and establish positive, healthy habits.
Meditation has both mental and physical health benefits. Research 

shows that it can help:
reduce stress and anxiety

ease symptoms of depression
lower blood pressure
soothe certain types of pain
Plus, many studies have researched the effectiveness of Headspace

specifically, though scientists conducting the studies were often
connected to the company, which may influence results.
Why we chose it
The Headspace app offers a variety of scientifically supported meditation
and mindfulness exercises that are known to help reduce stress, relax the
mind, and boost focus.
What we like
Headspace provides a nice assortment of meditations with a variety
of types and lengths.
It offers exercises for all experience levels — from beginner to

advanced.

Users rate Athe app very highly.
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A paid subscription is required for most features, including most

meditations.
Some users say the company’s customer service can be slow to

respond.
11:41
If you’d like to learn more about Headspace, consider reading our in-
depth review.
GET STARTED WITH

HEADSPACE
Best for stress

iBreathe
Price: Free
Available for: iPhone
Research  shows that deep breathing may help

reduce stress, making the iBreathe app a good
choice for those looking for a simple way to
promote calm.
iBreathe doesn’t have any bells or whistles other than providing several
deep breathing exercises, so you can focus on establishing a stress-free
breathing practice without distraction.
The app may be simple, but it does allow for a lot of personalization. You
have complete control over all of your breathing intervals, with
customization options for how long you inhale, exhale, hold, or even cycle
through in each exercise. You can also set breathing reminders for
yourself throughout the day.
Why we chose it

iBreathe focusesA Dsolely on
VERTISEM E N Toffering customizable breathing exercises that
help ease stress and promote a sense of calm.
What we like
It’s simple and easy to use.
You can customize breathing intervals within exercises.

It integrates with Apple Health. 11:41
You can schedule multiple breathing reminders throughout the day.

The app is available only for iPhone, not Android.
It doesn’t offer options beyond breathing exercises.
GET STARTED WITH

IBREATHE
Best for anxiety

MindShift
Price: Free
MindShift was created by the nonprofit Anxiety

Canada, so this app focuses solely on ways to
relieve anxiety. It uses scientifically proven
strategies rooted in CBT practices that promote
mindfulness and relaxation.
Research  shows that CBT is effective for easing symptoms of anxiety

and anxiety disorders.
These tools target mindset, helping you reorient your thinking and make
positive, lasting changes to make anxiety manageable.
MindShift is free and offers quick relief tools, a community forum, and 
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experiments and exercises to challenge limiting beliefs and overcome
fears that cause anxiety.
Why we chose it
MindShift uses interactive CBT-based tools and strategies to ease anxiety
by helping promote relaxation and mindfulness techniques.
What we like 11:41

It was deeveloped specifically to provide anxiety relief by Anxiety
Canada.
The app offers a community forum for peer-to-peer support.
It provides a variety of tools to promote healthy habits, including a

thought journal, coping cards, meditations, and exercises to help
you build positive habits.

It’s specifically tailored for anxiety relief, so may not be suited
toward tracking other mental health needs.
Some users find tracking to be too time-consuming.
GET STARTED WITH

MINDSHIFT
Best for sleep

CBT-i Coach
Price: Free
Do you experience insomnia or other sleep

problems? CBT-i Coach may help. This app is for
anyone with insomnia or who would like to
improve their sleep regimen and habits.

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CBT-i Coach was a collaborative effort between:
the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ National Center for PTSD
Stanford School of Medicine

the U.S. Department of Defense’s National Center for Telehealth and
Technology
11:41
It’s a free app designed to support professional insomnia or sleep
disorder treatment (though it can be used on its own!).
Through a structured program, CBT-i Coach helps you learn about sleep
while developing your own positive sleep routine.
In a 2016 study , almost 60% of clinicians participating in a survey 2 years

after the CBT-i Coach app was released noted that they had used the app
with a client and that they felt the app improved homework adherence
and treatment outcomes.
Similarly, another 2016 study noted that participants who used the CBT-i
Coach app as a supplement to CBT-i treatment experienced significant
improvements in sleep and that the app didn’t compromise the benefits of
CBT-i therapy. It’s important to know, however, that participants who only
received CBT-i treatment without using the app, also reported significant
sleep improvements.
Why we chose it
CBT-i Coach offers a structured program that uses scientifically proven
strategies to help you build better sleep habits to improve and alleviate
symptoms of insomnia.
What we like
It’s completely free with no ads.
The app is especially useful for veterans who face sleep challenges,
as it was created based on the manual “Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy for Insomnia in Veterans.”
The app’s interface is simple and easy to navigate, especially for 
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tracking sleep habits.

Many users find that some features are not easily accessible.
For those not working with a sleep therapist while using the app, the
technical language used to describe sleep habits may be difficult to 11:41
understand.
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COACH
Best for improving mood

Happify
Price: $14.99/month; $139.99/year;
$449.99/lifetime access
A little fun is almost guaranteed to put a smile on

your face. With the Happify app, you participate in
games that are not only fun but are backed by
science to improve your mood, lower stress levels, and overcome
negative thoughts, among other positive benefits.
This app helps you transform your life by allowing you to target a specific
mental wellness area that you’d like to improve. Happify focuses on
positive emotions to promote meaningful improvement to overall
happiness.
Happify offers over 65 tracks to help with:
coping better with stress

navigating negative thoughts
building self-confidence

fueling your career success
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achieving mindfulness through meditation

Why we chose it
Happify uses fun, engaging, and science-backed games and activities to
help manage stress, practice mindfulness, build confidence, and boost
your overall mood.
11:41
What we like
The app offers fun and engaging games tailored to different goals.
It was developed by mental health professionals.
It’s easy to use.

Very limited options are available on the free version, so paid
upgrades are required for more variety and choices.
It’s on the pricier side.
Some users find that the timed challenges can create stress, rather
than reduce it.
GET STARTED WITH HAPPIFY
Best for tracking symptoms

Bearable
Price: Free for basic; Premium subscriptions from
$4.49–$15.99/month or $27.99/year
With capabilities for wellness journaling, setting

medication reminders, and even recording your
food, the Bearable app goes beyond simply
tracking symptoms. The app provides a comprehensive outlook on your

overall physical and
A D V E Rmental
T I S E M E N T health and wellness.
This may give you a deeper insight into your health, and how factors like
different medications, treatments, or triggers may be affecting it.
Identifying symptoms related to these factors can help you communicate
your health with your doctor, allowing for better engagement and
diagnosis. 11:41
In one 2021 review study of apps to track symptoms in people with
cancer, Bearable was one of the top three highest-scoring apps. While
this is encouraging, it’s good to keep in mind that research specifically on
whether the app is beneficial for people with mental health conditions is
lacking.
Why we chose it
Bearable makes tracking symptoms easy so that you can better
understand patterns, behaviors, and symptoms and share them with your
treatment team.
What we like
It’s easy to use and customizable.
It integrates with Apple Health.

The app sllows you to track your mood, symptoms, daily activities,
sleep, medication, exercise, and more.
Community input is valued and implemented.

Health integration for Android users isn’t available.
For some users, it may be overwhelming to have so many tracking
options.
The insights feature isn’t included in the free version.
GET STARTED WITH

BEARABLE 
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Best for tracking medications

Medisafe
Price: Free; offers in-app purchase
11:41
Do you feel like you may benefit from reminders
when it comes to taking and refilling your
medications? Medisafe is an easy-to-use solution.
This app, created by Medisafe Inc., offers a clean and simple interface for
managing your medication reminders. It allows you to share reports with
others, including your prescription provider and family members.
Research on the Medisafe app indicates that it may help improve

medication adherence, though it’s important to keep in mind that these
studies are often conducted by researchers with connections to Medisafe
Inc., which may influence results.
Why we chose it
One of the easiest to use medication tracking apps available, Medisafe
not only helps you stay safe and on track with all of your prescription
medications, but it also has the unique capability of alerting a designated
contact when you’ve missed any dosages.
What we like
It provides alerts whenever any of your medications shouldn’t be
taken together.
It offers integration with GoodRx, a discount prescription drug

provider.
The app has plenty of reminder options, including when it’s time for
refills.
It allows users to easily communicate their past and current
medications with their treatment team.

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Some users feel the app has too many features, which may create
confusion.
Some Android users have reported reminder issues when switching
time zones.
11:41
GET STARTED WITH
MEDISAFE
How the apps compare

Available
App Best for Price Features
for
Tools,
resources,
and
• Free for basic
activities to
• Premium • iPhone
MoodFit Overall gain

upgrade available • Android
insight into
for $8.99/month
your
mental
health
24/7 direct
• Prices vary
• iPhone
access to
Talkspace Therapy • plans start at
• Android licensed
$65/week
therapists
Meditation
and
Headspac • $12.99/month
• iPhone
mindfulnes
e Meditation
• $69.99/year • Android s activities
to promote
calm
Breathing
exercises
iBreathe Stress • Free • iPhone
to reduce
stress
CBT
strategies
• iPhone
that target 
MindShift Anxiety
A D V E R T I S E M E N T • Free
• Android mindset to
ease
anxiety
Structured
program to
CBT-i • iPhone
build
Coach Sleep • Free
• Android better
sleep
habits 11:41
Science-
backed
• $14.99/month
games and
Improving • $139.99/year
• iPhone
Happify activities
mood • $449.99/lifetime • Android
targeting
access
overall
happiness
Tracks all
• Free for basic
aspects of
• Premium wellness
Tracking subscriptions from • iPhone
for better
Bearable
symptoms $4.49– • Android communic
$15.99/month or ation with
$27.99/year your
doctor
Tracks all
medication
s and
Tracking • Free
helps
• iPhone
Medisafe medication • Offers in-app avoid

• Android
s purchase taking
meds that
don’t mix
well
ADVERTISEMENT

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What to look for in a mental health app
Can’t find what you were hoping for here? Not to worry — there are many
research-informed mental health apps available for download. Here are a
few tips on finding the right one for you: 11:41
Backed by science. While there are many mental health apps, not all
are supported by scientific evidence. It’s a good idea to do a little
research and see if an app is based on well-researched principles or
has been studied independently.
Positive user feedback. It’s recommended to read reviews to see
the experience actual users are having with the app.
Cost. Many apps are free, but some cost a monthly, annual, or one-
time fee. It’s a good idea to consider what will work best with your
budget.
Design and features. You may want to consider making a list of
features that are most important to you, so you can look for apps
targeted to those needs.
User security and privacy. It’s important to look for apps that keep
your data safe and secure.
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Research-informed mental health apps are backed by scientific research,
making them a quality option for your mental health journey. They can be
a good tool to add to existing therapy or medication treatment. Some of
these apps connect you directly with mental health professionals, while
others provide tools and resources that offer support. 11:41
Though they aren’t meant to be a replacement for treatment, mental
health apps can effectively improve your overall mental wellness, as well
as help target specific challenges. From helping you deal with anxiety,
sleep issues, stress, meditation, or medication adherence — chances are
there’s a science-backed app to suit your needs.
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Great for cognitive behavioral
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$40 to $88/week, billed

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Last medically reviewed on February 21, 2022
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recommendations for designing high-efficacy mental health mobile apps.
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Drissi N, et al. (2020). An analysis on self-management and treatment-related

functionality and characteristics of highly rated anxiety apps.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7391980/
Gershkovich M, et al. (2020). Integrating exposure and response prevention with a

mobile app to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder: feasibility, acceptability, and 
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preliminary effects.
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Hull TD, et al. (2020). Two-way messaging therapy for depression and anxiety:
Longitudinal response trajectories.
Kaczkurkin AN, et al. (2015). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: An

update on the empirical evidence.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4610618
11:41
Koffel E, et al. (2016). A randomized controlled pilot study of CBT-I Coach:
Feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of a mobile phone application for
patients in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1460458216656472
Kuhn E, et al. (2016). CBT-I Coach: A description and clinician perceptions of a

mobile app for cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.
Lu DJ, et al. (2021). Evaluation of mobile health applications to track patient-

reported outcomes for oncology patients: A systematic review.
sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452109420302657
Ma X, et al. (2017). The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative

affect and stress in healthy adults.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5455070/
Malgaroli M, et al. (2020). Message delivery for the treatment of posttraumatic

stress disorder: Longitudinal observational study of symptom trajectories.
Meditation: In depth. (2016).
nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth
Wang K, et al. (2018). A systematic review of the effectiveness of mobile apps for
monitoring and management of mental health symptoms or disorders.
sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022395618308288?via%3Dihub
v  FEEDBACK: 
The 10 Best Mental Health Apps of 2022 

Medically reviewed Aby
D VTiffany
E R T I S E M ETaft,
N T PsyD — By Connor Rice and Traci Pedersen —
Updated on May 9, 2022
List Our picks Comparison What they are How we chose Tips
FAQs Recap
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on
this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. 11:41
We pick some of the best apps to help you manage your
mental wellness from anywhere you happen to be.
Getty Images/Westend61
With so many apps on the market, it’s hard to know which ones are useful.
This is especially true for apps intended to help you manage your mental
wellness.
It can be cumbersome and frustrating to navigate such a large selection,

choosing apps almost at random while looking for the best fit.
That’s why Psych Central created this list of our favorite mental health
apps, from condition-specific programs to general mental wellness help.
Something to keep in mind

ADVERTISEMENT

If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition, mental

health apps cannot substitute for treatment. Still, they may be used
in addition to medication or therapy to help alleviate symptoms.
ADVERTISEMENT
11:41
A quick look at the best mental health apps

If you want to jump directly to the sections for each app, you can click the
links below.
Best for meditation: Calm

Best for people of color: Shine
Best for deep breathing: BellyBio
Best for CBT: CBT Thought Diary
Best for bipolar disorder: eMoods
Best for DBT: DBT Diary Card and Skills Coach

Best mood tracker: MoodKit
Best for addiction recovery: Sober Grid
Best habit tracker: Fabulous
Best for sleep: BetterSleep
If you’re considering self-harm or suicide, help is


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available
Mental health apps generally can’t offer help in a crisis situation. If

you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you can access free
support right away with these resources:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call the Lifeline at 11:41

800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at
741741.
The Trevor Project. LGBTQIA+ and under 25 years old? Call
866-488-7386, text “START” to 678678, or chat online 24-7.
Veterans Crisis Line. Call 800-273-8255 and press 1, text
838255, or chat online 24-7.
Deaf Crisis Line. Call 321-800-DEAF (3323), text “HAND” at
839863, or visit their website.
Befrienders Worldwide. This international crisis helpline
network can help you find a local helpline.
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Meet Bezzy for Depression, a community that cares

Find encouragement and support through forums, 1:1 messaging, and
advice from others dealing with major depressive disorder.
JOIN US
Our picks for the best mental health apps

Best for meditation
Calm

Price: $14.99/month, $69.99/year
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Apple rating: 4.8 stars. 1.5 million ratings.

Everyone could use a little peace now and again,

even if you don’t live with anxiety. This is where
Calm comes in.
This app continually introduces new meditation

11:41
concepts for beginner and advanced meditation students.
Calm is unique from other meditation apps. It has plenty of traditional

meditations but also leans on a pop-culture-influence. You can relax to
the sounds of painter Bob Ross’ brush strokes, Disney piano ballads, and
even story time with Matthew McConaughey.
One of the app’s most popular features is the “Daily Calm,” which is
updated every morning. This feature involves a 10-minute guided
meditation focusing on various aspects of mindfulness.
Many studies have researched the effectiveness of Calm for people with
various physical and mental health conditions. Still, it’s important to keep
in mind that researchers involved in these studies are often connected to
the company in some fashion, which may influence results.
Why we chose it
Calm is an award-winning meditation app with hundreds of guided
meditations, breathing exercises, sleep stories, and music playlists for
beginning and advanced meditators.
What we like
large library of guided meditations lasting between 3–25 minutes,
so you can meditate as your schedule allows
Apple Health app integration for iPhone users
easy-to-use interface
available on iOS and Android, as well as your laptop or desktop
What to look out for 

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no Android equivalent to Apple Health integration
If you’d like to learn more, consider reading our in-depth review of Calm.
GET STARTED WITH CALM
11:41
Best for People of Color
Shine
Apple rating: 4.7 stars. 31.7k ratings.
People of Color face unique mental health

experiences. This is something that Shine’s
creators set out to address when they decided to
build an app aimed at helping POC and women.
Shine is important. Statistics show that only 1 in 3 Black people in the

United States get the mental health services they need. While apps alone
shouldn’t be used as a treatment strategy, Shine may fill in some gaps.
Shine offers daily meditations with gratitude check-ins. The app also
offers weekly courses to help you build important life skills, such as:
resilience
keeping boundaries
cultivating joy
Meditation topics include:
journaling
self-love
reducing stress
Black mental health

Why we chose it ADVERTISEMENT
Shine was founded by two Women of Color whose goal was to make
caring for your mental health easier, more accessible, and more
representative.
What we like 11:41

content geared toward underrepresented groups, including
meditations on dealing with the Black experience in the United
States
resources on how to cope with COVID-19 anxiety

some users report a buggy interface, especially on Android
GET STARTED WITH SHINE
Best for deep breathing

BellyBio
Price: free with in-app purchases
Apple rating: 3.9 stars. 28 ratings.
BellyBio teaches a deep breathing technique to

help you reduce anxiety and stress. It uses
biofeedback to monitor your breathing and plays
sounds reminiscent of waves at a beach.
BellyBio trains you to breathe deeply and slowly from your belly. The app
produces music and light that synchronizes to your deep abdominal
breathing movements.
This is a great tool for when you need to slow down and breathe. And the
best part? It’s free!

Why we chose it ADVERTISEMENT
BellyBio is unique in that it solely focuses on deep breathing exercises

with synchronized music and light.
What we like
chart your progress and gain more insight into how you’re breathing 11:41
multiple interactive music themes

app may not show immediate benefits for users unfamiliar with deep
breathing techniques, according to 2019 research 
not available on Android
GET STARTED WITH

BELLYBIO
Best for CBT

CBT Thought Diary
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a strategy for

exploring unhelpful ways of thinking and patterns
of behavior that contribute to psychological
distress. It aims to teach you to recognize distorted
thoughts and implement more effective coping strategies.
With this in mind, CBT Thought Diary provides a place for you to reflect on
your mental wellness, track your moods, and more.
The app is a daily mood journal, thought journal, and gratitude journal all
rolled into one.

Why we chose it
ADVERTISEMENT
CBT Thought Diary uses CBT techniques to help you evaluate, challenge,
and change your negative thoughts and feelings.
What we like
Apple Watch integration allows for simple, on-the-go mood tracking 11:41
simple, self-guided way for you to get started with CBT

password protection requires a paid upgrade
no equivalent to Apple Watch integration for Android users
GET STARTED WITH CBT

THOUGHT DIARY
Best for bipolar disorder

eMoods
Symptom and mood tracking is an important part

of living with bipolar disorder. That’s why eMoods
uses a simple, calendar-oriented layout to help
people with bipolar disorder chart their emotions
and get a wider, more holistic view of their mental wellness.
Privacy was a priority for the developers of eMoods. That’s why your
information is stored locally on your device — nothing gets sent to the
cloud unless you want it to.
eMoods allows you to track medication changes so you can record how
you feel when tapering off of a medication or starting a new one.

Why we chose it
ADVERTISEMENT
With eMoods, people living with bipolar disorder, anxiety, or depression

can easily track their symptoms and moods.
What we like
optional, automated progress reports sent to your therapist or other 11:41
mental health professionals
medication tracking gives you a good look at what is and isn’t
working in your treatment plan

users say that there’s no option for multimonth reports, which some
people might find useful
GET STARTED WITH

EMOODS
Best for DBT

DBT Diary Card and Skills Coach
Price: $4.99
Apple rating: 4.5 stars. 690 reviews.
Based on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan, DBT
Diary Card and Skills Coach is a rich resource of
self-help skills, reminders of the therapy principles,
and coaching tools for coping.
The app offers a full reference of DBT skills defined in easy language.
Your diary card (a form that helps you track your symptoms and know
which skill to use to address them) can be emailed to your therapist either
manually or automatically on a weekly basis.

ADVERTISEMENT
Created by a therapist with years of experience in the practice, this app is
not intended to replace a professional, but it helps people reinforce their
treatment.
Why we chose it
DBT Diary Card offers a customizable diary card to help you develop and
practice important mindfulness skills.
11:41
What we like
PDF report generation helps you document your progress
password protection

GET STARTED WITH DBT

DIARY CARD AND SKILLS
COACH
Best mood tracker

MoodKit
Price: $4.99
Apple rating: 4.3 stars. 204 reviews.
MoodKit is more than a mood tracker. The app

comes loaded with more than 200 CBT-based
activities to help redirect negative thoughts. You
can even create your own activities for use with
the app.
MoodKit gives guidance to help you manage distressing thoughts and

offers more than a dozen custom journal templates.

Plus, research from
A D V E 2018
R T I S E M Eand
NT 2019 suggests that MoodKit may help
reduce symptoms of depression.
Why we chose it
MoodKit helps you develop greater self-awareness, take action to
improve your life, and track how far you’ve come. You can export your
mood chart with 7- and 30-day viewing options.
11:41
What we like
customizable mood journal
tailor suggested activities based on your preferences

GET STARTED WITH

MOODKIT
Best for addiction recovery

Sober Grid
Apple review: 4.9 stars. 4.5k ratings.
Sober Grid is an app-based social media platform

geared toward people in recovery. Substance use
disorder (SUD) and addiction can be hard to go
through by yourself. Sober Grid is like having a
sobriety network right in your pocket.
The app allows you to unlock badges, track your progress, and connect
with other people in sobriety in your area.
Studies from 2020 and 2021 suggest that the peer support of digital
recovery networks like Sober Grid may have potential to help people with 
ADVERTISEMENT
SUD, though researchers note that more rigid research is needed.
Why we chose it
Sober Grid is a social network app for people recovering from substance
use. You choose what you share and have the option to remain
anonymous if you’d like.
11:41
What we like
focus on privacy, with the option to stay anonymous
built-in recovery tracker and sobriety counter

some people report a buggy user interface
GET STARTED WITH SOBER

GRID
Best habit tracker

Fabulous
Price: $35.99/year
Apple reviews: 4.6 stars. 63.8k ratings.
Fabulous helps you build new, healthier routines.

From getting more sleep and drinking more water
to setting time aside for self-affirmation, Fabulous
is designed to keep you on track with your
personal goals.
The app offers an integrated coaching feature with the following:

happiness trainer
zen and vipassana meditation for breathing and mindfulness
7-minute scientific workouts 

ADVERTISEMENT
power nap sessions
beginner’s yoga pack for gaining flexibility
Why we chose it
Fabulous helps you improve your life by tracking your habits and creating
new rituals. It may help you manage stress, get better sleep, and develop
11:41
healthier eating and exercise habits, among many other options.
What we like
integrated coaching feature to help with exercise, weight loss, and
more
1-week free trial

some people report a clunky user experience
GET STARTED WITH

FABULOUS
Best for sleep

BetterSleep
Price: free with ads, in-app purchases
Apple reviews: 4.8 stars. 240.9k ratings.
Previously known as Relax Melodies, BetterSleep

is a highly customizable sleep sounds app that lets
you mix and match nature sounds with new age
music. For example, you can listen to birds in the
rain while a piano softly plays in the background.
You can use the melodies and sounds in a variety of situations:


exercise or yoga class
ADVERTISEMENT
meditation
massage sessions
while simply relaxing
Why we chose it
11:41
BetterSleep helps you take back control of your sleeping patterns with 52
free sounds and melodies as well as specialized brain wave frequencies.
What we like
more than 400 meditations, sounds, and bedtime stories
library of breathing techniques and other sleep strategies

some users report losing some free content that can be recovered
only by buying it
GET STARTED WITH

BETTERSLEEP
ADVERTISEMENT
How the apps compare

iPhone/An App Store
Best for … Price 
ADVERTISEMENT droid rating
Calm meditation • $14.99/month

both 4.8
• $69.99/year
Shine People of • $14.99/month
both 4.7
Color • $64.99/year
• free
BellyBio deep
• $0.99 in-app iPhone 3.9
breathing
purchases 11:41
• free
CBT Thought • in-app Pro

Diary CBT both 4.7
Mode
purchases
eMoods bipolar • $1.99/month
both 4.8
disorder • $9.99/year
DBT Diary
Card and DBT $4.99 both 4.5
Skills Coach
MoodKit mood
$4.99 iPhone 4.3
tracker
• free
Sober Grid addiction

• offers in-app both 4.9
recovery
purchases
• free
• $35.99
habit
Fabulous Premium both 4.6
tracker
annual
subscription
• free with ads
BetterSleep sleep • in-app iPhone 4.8

purchases
What are mental health apps?

A mental health app is an application that’s intended to help you manage
or track symptoms of different mental health conditions. Some are
designed to help people who have a specific condition, while others are
more general.

One 2019 study ADfound
V E R T I S E Mthat
E N T mental health apps have potential benefits,
but they shouldn’t be used as a stand-in for traditional treatment. Many
apps on this list let you send updates to your therapist, keeping them in
the loop on your progress.
How we chose the best mental health apps 11:41

There were a lot of apps to choose from when we started our search for
the top 10. To help narrow it down, we:
studied user reviews
searched for media mentions

dove into scientific research
We also considered the specific needs that people with different

conditions have. An app that’s great for depression, for example, may not
be the best pick for someone experiencing anxiety. We made sure to
highlight these kinds of details below.
Plus, we vet all products that we include in our roundups to ensure they
meet our business and medical standards.
ADVERTISEMENT
How to choose a mental health app

If you could not find what you were looking for, here are some tips on
finding the right mental health app for you. 
ADVERTISEMENT
Goal. Mental health apps offer a variety of features to use on your

journey toward wellness. Are you looking to develop a meditation
practice? Breathing techniques? Or CBT to challenge your negative
thoughts?
Reviews. It helps to read the reviews from current and past users. 11:41
This will give you a general idea of how well the app works as well
as its pros and cons.
Cost. Are you looking for a free app, a one-time payment, or one
with a monthly subscription? Many apps are free to begin but offer
in-app purchases for more premium features.
User friendly. Is the app easy to navigate? Is the design appealing?
PSYCH CENTRAL RESOURCES
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Learn more about defining boundaries in your relationships, practicing
consistency, and living with intention with our limited series.
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Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of mental health apps?
Mental health apps aren’t just a novel idea. Their potential benefits have
been the focus of study for several scientific research efforts.
One 2017 literature review  noted that the effectiveness of app-based

health interventions showed promise. In particular, of the studies 
ADVERTISEMENT
reviewed, researchers noticed a significant decline in stress, anxiety, and
depression among those who used these apps.
Still, apps can’t replace treatment for diagnosed mental health conditions.
Are mental health apps a substitute for therapy?

Mental health apps can help you in your daily journey and support your 11:41
growth when you can’t see a therapist, but they cannot replace real
therapy.
Are mental health apps evidence based?

Some mental health apps draw from evidence-based techniques, such as
CBT, or studies may have researched the effectiveness of specific apps,
but the apps themselves do not replace evidence-based therapy.
It’s also important to keep in mind that when studies on specific apps are
available, the research is often conducted by people connected to the
app in some fashion, which may influence results.
Independent studies or review studies often report that apps aren’t truly
effective or may be overpromising on results. Still, that doesn’t necessarily
mean people may not benefit from them. It’s about figuring out what does
or doesn’t work for you.
ADVERTISEMENT
Let’s recap 
ADVERTISEMENT
Mental health apps are growing in popularity and efficacy. They can be
valuable tools to help you manage your mental wellness — even if they’re
not meant to replace traditional treatment.
There are countless mental health apps available, all of them of varying
quality and popularity. We’ve assembled a list of apps that we feel have
value to them, and we encourage you to check some of them out to see if
11:41
they’re right for you.
Still, keep in mind that mental health apps aren’t a substitute for
medication, professional counseling, or other forms of mental wellness
management. They shouldn’t be considered a main form of treatment, but
they can still be a valuable tool for maintaining mental wellness.
Last medically reviewed on February 5, 2022
 8 sources
Ashford AD, et al. (2020). Digital recovery networks: Characterizing user

participation, engagement, and outcomes of a novel recovery social network
smartphone application.
Bakker D, et al. (2018). A randomized controlled trial of three smartphone apps for
enhancing public mental health.
Bergman BG, et al. (2021). Online digital recovery support services: An overview of
the science and their potential to help individuals with substance use disorder
during COVID-19 and beyond.
Black/African American. (n.d.).
nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American

ADVERTISEMENT
Dahne J, et al. (2019). Pilot randomized trial of a self-help behavioral activation

mobile app for utilization in primary care.
Faust-Christmann CA, et al. (2019). A biofeedback app to instruct abdominal

breathing (breathing-mentor): Pilot experiment.
11:41
Rathbone AL and Prescott J. (2017). The use of mobile apps and SMS messaging as
physical and mental health interventions: Systematic review.
Weisel KK, et al. (2019). Standalone smartphone apps for mental health-a
systematic review and meta-analysis.
v  FEEDBACK: 
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The 9 Best Evidence-Based Mental Health Apps in 2022

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10/5/22, 3:58 PM The 9 Best Evidence-Based Mental Health Apps in 2022

Top 9 Mental Health Apps in 2022

Research-informed mental health apps are a great tool

Jorg Greuel/Getty Images

It seems as if there’s an app for everything — from checking your email to

There are also a seemingly endless number of health apps aimed at

However, research-informed mental health apps may be different. Some

Lift of the best research-informed mental health

Best overall: Moodfit

Best for meditation: Headspace

Best for stress: iBreathe 

Best for anxiety: MindShift

Best for sleep: CBT-i Coach

Best for tracking symptoms: Bearable

Best for tracking medications: Medisafe 11:41

Meet Bezzy for Depression, a community that cares

What are mental health apps and what makes

A research-informed app is based on techniques that have been

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

In some cases, the apps themselves may be backed by scientific

Some people use the term “evidence-based” interchangeably with

Criteria we used to pick

Supported by research. Each of our selections is backed by

User reviews. We scoured the reviews to ensure each app is well-

Available for: iPhone, Android

Described as “fitness for your mental health,”

guided breathing exercises

gratitude and mood journals

It offers a wide variety of tools to fit your needs and preferences. 

It’s easy to use with an intuitive interface.

What to look out for

While Moodfit is built on science-backed techniques like CBT,

GET STARTED WITH

Best for therapy

Available for: iPhone, Android

Talkspace makes therapy easy, by providing

Research from 2020  indicates that messaging with a therapist via

It offers several ways to connect with therapists, including video,

What to look out for

Communication is not always live, so there may be a wait time for

GET STARTED WITH

Best for meditation

Available for: iPhone, Android

Meditation has both mental and physical health benefits. Research 

reduce stress and anxiety

lower blood pressure

soothe certain types of pain

Plus, many studies have researched the effectiveness of Headspace

It offers exercises for all experience levels — from beginner to

What to look out for

A paid subscription is required for most features, including most

Some users say the company’s customer service can be slow to

GET STARTED WITH

Best for stress

Available for: iPhone

Research  shows that deep breathing may help

help ease stress and promote a sense of calm.

You can customize breathing intervals within exercises.

What to look out for

It doesn’t offer options beyond breathing exercises.

GET STARTED WITH

Best for anxiety

Available for: iPhone, Android

MindShift was created by the nonprofit Anxiety