Apps are one way to increase our social work tool kit. They can be helpful visual tools and/or organizational tools for you and clients.
Triangle of Life: A video game to help teach Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts to children. I have had kids play it with me and then discussed the characters’ actions afterward.
Breathe Kids: I haven’t used this one yet, but it was recommended by a supervisor. Kids can go on “missions” based on their emotions. The missions help them practice breathing.
Headspace: A meditation app for yourself and clients! There are free and paid versions. Obviously, the paid versions give more, but the free version can be useful too.
Suicide Safe: An app that is meant to be a tool for providers to find information to reduce suicide risk in clients/patients. I have not explored this too much yet, but it was recommended to me by another supervisor. With anything safety-related, ALWAYS consult your supervisor. Protect your clients. The app is a tool, but always consult others.
MY3: An app that helps clients and their loved ones share a safety plan when suicide risk is evident. With anything safety-related, ALWAYS consult your supervisor. Protect your clients. The app is a tool, but always consult others.
Fitstar Yoga: This app offers some free yoga workouts, as short as 16 minutes.
Youtube: Youtube can be used to find meditation videos, simple yoga, & breathing exercise videos. For kids, you could find videos of characters they like to help teach something (ie. “see how ___ got angry because he did not know that ___?”)
Apps That Also Track Changes
CDC's MIlestone Tracker: This app allows parents to track their child's milestones from 0-5 years. Includes a Spanish option!
PTSD Coach: This app allows users to take a PTSD assessment and track their assessment results over time. They can even share the results with others and find supportive resources. There is also a "manage symptoms" button where they can click a symptom, rate their distress, practice a coping skill, then rate their distress again to see if it helped.
Mood Tools: This app allows users to track depressive symptoms. Users can also access the PHQ-9 assessment tool, watch videos, and access psychoeducation.
Any other tips ideas? Please comment and let me know! I may add a part 2 or edit this blog post. Either way, I will incorporate new info as best I can!
I am not paid by any of these apps at this time. I am describing the apps with the best of my knowledge.
Check me out on Instagram @eagersocialworker !
Last Update: 02/18/2020
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