PTSD Coach app

An app created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for anyone with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD Coach By US Department of Veteran Affairs
Features
  • Self-help tools
  • Symptom tracking
  • Education and information
  • Self-assessment

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Country of origin United States
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Security and privacy  Does the app:
  • collect medical information? Yes
  • require a login? No
  • have password protection? No
  • have a privacy policy? Yes
  • require internet access? No
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Cost Free

What does the app do?

The app has 4 sections in which users can learn about PTSD, find ways to manage it, track their symptoms and get further support. In the ‘manage’ section users are provided with a variety of tools and tips for coping with PTSD such a guided relaxation audio tracks and imagery exercises. To track symptoms, users complete a 20-question assessment on a regular basis. The app allows users to view their symptom scores in a graph, export their score, and set up reminders to take the assessment. For a more detailed description of the app, see Google Play or iTunes and for a detailed review, see Reviews.


PROS ✔  CONS  ✘  

✔ Is a useful self-help tool that allows users to independently monitor a range of symptoms commonly experienced by individuals exposed to trauma.

✔ Has numerous, easy-to-read, commonly asked questions and answers about PTSD. 

✔ Provides users with multiple tools to manage symptoms, most of which are included in evidence based treatments for PTSD including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

✔ Includes form to design own safety plan for times of crisis.

✔ App is easy to navigate and tools are easy to find. There is an option to make a list of favourite tools.

✔ Tools can be personalised with the addition of the user’s own photos and music.

✘ Contact information for crisis resources and professional care is US-based and not applicable to NZ users.

Review details

  • April 2022; Version 3.4.2; Android
  • November 2017; Version: 3.1; Android

Other useful resources

This app has been reviewed by other independent websites.

Learn More

U.S Department of Veteran Affairs website
Coulon SM, Monroe CM, West DS. A Systematic, Multi-domain Review of Mobile Smartphone Apps for Evidence-Based Stress Management. Am J Prev Med. 2016 Jul;51(1):95-105.

Related resources

This app has been reviewed by other independent websites:

This US-based app has been adapted by other countries:

References

The following references relate to articles about apps for Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

  1. Possemato K, Kuhn E, Johnson EM, et al. Development and refinement of a clinician intervention to facilitate primary care patient use of the PTSD Coach app. Transl Behav Med. 2016 Feb 22.
  2. Miller CJ, McInnes DK, Stolzmann K, et al. Interest in Use of Technology for Healthcare Among Veterans Receiving Treatment for Mental Health. Telemed J E Health. 2016 Oct;22(10):847-854. Epub 2016 Mar 16.
  3. Price M, Kuhn E, Hoffman JE, Ruzek J, et al. Comparison of the PTSD Checklist (PCL) Administered via a Mobile Device Relative to a Paper Form. J Trauma Stress. 2015 Oct;28(5):480-3.

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