Our world has become a stressful and difficult place for many of its residents, coping with multiple demands, a difficult economy, past baggage and worries about the future. It’s enough to drive a person to seek professional help – or perhaps a new app for their iPhone?

MindApps is a product that challenges both other apps and psychiatry, delivering a professionally-validated approach to some common psychological problems. It enables people to take an active role in their own healthcare, either by providing a therapeutic intervention or by supplementing the services of a therapist.

The applications that have been created are based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which theorizes that “the things that we think influence our moods and our behaviors…this painful web of thoughts, feelings and behaviors is what CBT seeks to help untangle.”

MindApps, based in Pittsburgh, PA, was launched in 2009 in more than 30 countries. The company currently offers three products:

•  eCBT Mood is designed for people who are feeling down or depressed. Through questions and useful information, the tool helps users identify and challenge the distorted thinking that leads to depression, breaking the cycle of negative thoughts. Features include a “feelings and thoughts log,” a mechanism to identify and challenge negative thoughts and a daily/weekly mood assessment and report. 
• eCBT Calm targets the many overstressed members of society, focusing on learning new coping and relaxation skills. This app includes a stress assessment, training in several effective relaxation tools and links to online content focusing on stress reduction, support groups and finding a therapist if needed.
• eCBT Trauma is geared toward those living with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. It provides users with a trauma symptom assessment tool, relaxation training, means to identify and challenge negative beliefs and exercises to help neutralize the impact of traumatic memories. It also links users to online content and resources.

New products in development address dieting, anxiety, pain, binge eating and alcohol problems. Although it’s difficult to place a price tag on well-being, the company boasts that the products cost less than a large premium coffee. MindApps is hoping to provide a grande boost to the mental health of its users.