Resources, EllisTangents

Online Resources (Vol 2)

Here’s another installment of some free, evidence-based online resources and apps I’ve stumbled upon lately… (here’s Vol 1 if you didn’t see it)

An ebook about Getting The Most Out of Brief Therapy – could be great for clients really early on, or if they are feeling stuck.
This is an incredible introduction to sleep, sleep hygiene, and common sleep issues by the AMAZING Dr. Jade Wu.
I like this little explanation of the R.A.I.N model of radical compassion, and it includes a 20 minute meditation.
These are easy and evidence based screeners for multiple mental health conditions, like depression, anxiety, psychosis.
I’m loving Dr. Russ Harris’ videos about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy!
For therapists, I really like Jeff Zeig’s 5 minute therapy tip s, esp if you’re kind of existential or experiential.
And here is an abnormal psyc textbook that is completely open source – it’s not my favorite abnormal book ever, and of course it’s at the undergrad level, but could be a good resource for clients

And some apps!

FITZ – Functional Imagery Training is an evidence based blend of imagery and motivational interviewing that shows tremendous benefits over standard habit-changing models.
SmilingMind – This is an Australian meditation app – it’s really good, especially compared to the for-profit apps!
UCLA Mindful – This doesn’t have the kind of sleek, fancy feeling that some of the other apps do, but it’s really good and accurate and useful, with mindfulness exercises and meditations that are similar to the ones used in research protocols.
Mindfulness study – an app based on the Palouse school’s resources, which are Top Notch! Note – they mean for you to do the whole 8 week program, but who wouldn’t want to do that? It’s amazing!

Comment below: Have you seen any of these? What do you think? Have any new, other recommendations to post?

Online Resources and Apps (Vol 1)

Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of online resources. Let me make a caveat – we’ve known for a decade that things like internet-delivered CBT can be effective for depression and anxiety (e.g., Farrer et al., 2011), and that can be a life saver for someone who doesn’t have easy access to therapy. It’s just that when I have in-person clients, I much prefer for them to have resources that we have created together or that I have made personalized for them.

BUT… it’s 2021 and I’d have to be living under a rock to not engage with some of the really good stuff that available online and on apps. But… it’s 2021, which means the problem isn’t the availability of mental health resources/apps, but sifting through which ones are actually good!

My requirements for resources/apps that I’ll suggest to clients are that they are (1) FREE, (2) EVIDENCE BASED (as appropriate), and worthwhile based on my actually trying them. (Like recommending books, I have an ethical problem with recommending something I haven’t fully tried).

That said, here we go, in no particular order:

Online resources:

Ali Mattu’s videos – You’ll have to browse around a bit to find the topic you client needs, but these are very well done and super on point from a research-based standpoint. The dive reflex episode is one of my favorites.

Kristen Neff’s Self Compassion exercises – exactly what you think, better researched and less saccharine than Brene Brown, totally free.

This free online course in Acceptance and Commitment therapy from Public Health Wales is pretty cool and comprehensive!

Now Matters Now is a great resource related to suicidal ideation, for clients and clinicians.

I’m looking for some good DBT resources, btw. These videos are ok, but I’d like something more personable and more interactive. Please comment below if you know of any!

Apps:

Comfort Talk – this is an all-business, nothing-woowoo trainer in self hypnosis. Great research evidence!

All of the VA apps are empirically supported and they’re nicely done. I like the CPT and substance use apps as an adjunct to therapy sometimes, but the CBT-I (insomnia) is the one I recommend most. You don’t have to be a veteran to use them!

Insight Timer – I’ve liked this one for a long time, mostly because of the variety of meditations that are available and the ability to search based on how much time you have. Great free alternative to apps like Calm and HeadSpace.

Fluid – This is just a little app that lets you play with fluid dynamics (with lots of customization for time, color, etc.) It’s great for mindfulness work, and nice for clients who might otherwise fret while waiting in a line. It’s entrancing! You can see a screenshot above.

Done– I searched HIGH and LOW for SO LONG looking for a simple, free app that would allow clients to easily track how often they do XYZ – whatever we’re working on. The free version of done is more than adequate – it’s perfect!

Comment Below: What online resources or apps have you found to be helpful? Bonus if they’re free and evidence based!