Mental and behavioral health is big business. From mild anxiety to life-threatening addiction, Americans spend over two billion dollars a year on treating mental health issues. With the digital revolution, it was only a matter of time before AI applications became competitors in that therapy market. Now these platforms are offering counseling with different treatment options and degrees of engagement.
Some examples of what is available can be accessed at the links below.
Costs are low with this service that offers sincere listeners for encouragement and understanding. These listeners are not licensed therapists, but trained to give feedback and sympathy, "specialists" are trained by psychologists and are careful to acknowledge neither diagnosis or treatment. Basis is basically the ability to have a non-judgemental friend who will support you, but won't tell you what to do.
Calm, Simple Habit, and Muse
Meditation is helpful for a number of problems and these three apps help with sleep, reducing anxiety and even monitoring brain waves, (requiring the purchase of equipment). Mindfulness has become a powerful modality for treating conditions such as depression, ADHD, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, and myriad other physical and mental problems.
Another meditation application that teaches meditation skills to develop coping mechanisms to deal with the stresses of everyday life. It is a great adjunct to psychotherapy, and might make recovery go more smoothly and quickly.
Providing psychological treatment that is covered by a number of health plans, AbleTo gives access to professional coaches and licensed therapists who can diagnose and treat mental health conditions and disorders. The convenience of online therapy gives the user the latitude of scheduling sessions outside of traditional office hours. Personalized treatment and specific goals are hallmarks of this service.
There are new digital providers cropping up, but the Anxiety and Depression Association of American has reviewed and rated some others that may appeal to those seeking help. You can check them out here to find more apps than we have space to cover in this post.
The cost of health care can be prohibitive for people with limited income or no insurance. Most of these apps are not designed, and don't claim to be, the sole provider of professional psychological treatment; they can be an effective alternative to relieve symptoms of some behavioral health conditions. Help with the pressures and stresses of job, relationships and past trauma at a free or truly affordable cost can provide an outlet for a more balanced life.
There will always be a need for real live, human interaction therapists. Positions are open in all areas of Behavioral Health. Contact us to find out what opportunities are available for you.
To learn more about this and related topics, visit the Behavioral Health and Mental Health sections of our blog.
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