Suitability · Mental health services
Mental health apps and digital therapy: what to check
Last updated 25 October 2026 · 3 sources listed · Reading time about 3 minutes
Short answer
Digital tools range from meditation and mood tracking apps to guided programmes based on established therapies and platforms that connect you with licensed clinicians. They can help with mild difficulties or as a supplement, but they are not a substitute for care in severe illness or crisis. Check the evidence, who is behind the tool, how your data is used and what happens in an emergency.
Who this is for: A person considering self-help apps, online programmes or text-based therapy and wanting to judge quality, privacy and suitability.
What to evaluate
Evidence and clinical input
Tools developed with clinicians and tested in studies are more reliable.
How to check: Look for published evaluations and named clinical advisers.
Privacy and data use
Mental health data is sensitive.
How to check: Read the privacy policy on sharing, advertising and deletion.
Scope and limits
Apps often state they are not for crisis or diagnosis.
How to check: Find the intended use and safety information.
Clinician involvement
Some platforms use qualified professionals while others use unqualified coaches.
How to check: Check credentials of anyone providing therapy.
Cost model
Subscriptions can renew automatically.
How to check: Read the cancellation and refund terms.
Comparison
| Type | Good when | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Self-help or mindfulness apps | You want skills practice for everyday stress | No tailoring and limited evidence for some products |
| Guided online programmes | You want structure based on established therapies | Needs commitment and may not suit complex difficulties |
| Online therapy platforms | You want sessions with a licensed clinician remotely | Check licensing jurisdiction and privacy |
| Peer support communities | You want shared experience | Unmoderated spaces can be harmful |
Decision worksheet
Rate up to three options against this guide’s own criteria. It runs in your browser and saves only on this device. It is a thinking aid, not a recommendation.
1. Have you checked each criterion?
0 of 5 criteria checked.
2. Compare options (0 = fails or unknown, 3 = meets it well)
| Criterion | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence and clinical input | |||
| Privacy and data use | |||
| Scope and limits | |||
| Clinician involvement | |||
| Cost model | |||
| Total (max 15) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Questions to ask before you commit
- Who developed the tool and which clinicians advised?
- What research supports its use for my concern?
- How is my data stored and who can access it?
- What happens if I tell the app I am in crisis?
- Is there a human reviewing my progress or messages?
- How do I cancel and delete my data?
Typical trade-offs
Use a self-help app
- Upside
- Immediate and low cost
- Downside
- Limited personalisation and no clinical oversight
Use online therapy
- Upside
- Access to a clinician from home
- Downside
- Needs privacy and may not suit risk or complex needs
Combine digital tools with in-person care
- Upside
- Skills practice between sessions
- Downside
- Needs coordination with your therapist
Common mistakes
- Using an app as a substitute for urgent help. Contact crisis services in an emergency.
- Agreeing to data sharing without reading the policy.
- Assuming popularity equals quality.
- Forgetting to cancel a subscription trial.
Related questions
Can mental health apps replace therapy?
For some mild difficulties, structured digital programmes may help and can be useful while waiting for care. They are generally not designed to replace clinical treatment for severe or complex conditions, and many state this. A professional can advise on whether an app is appropriate alongside other support. If your symptoms worsen or you feel unsafe, seek help from a clinician or crisis service.
Are mental health apps private?
Privacy practices vary widely. Some apps share data with advertisers or analytics providers, while others limit sharing and offer deletion. Read the privacy policy, look at permissions requested, and check whether data is anonymised. Be careful with free tools that fund themselves through data. Consider what information you are comfortable storing and whether regulators in your country provide guidance on health apps.
How can I tell if an app is evidence-based?
Look for published research on that specific product, not just on the technique it uses, and for clinical advisers or partnerships with health services. Some national health bodies review or list approved digital tools. Be sceptical of strong promises or testimonials without data. Trying a tool for a trial period and monitoring your own progress can also help judge usefulness.
What if the app makes me feel worse?
Stop using it and consider speaking to a doctor or therapist about what happened. Some exercises can stir up difficult feelings, and a tool may not suit your situation. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact emergency or crisis services immediately. Report problems to the provider and keep your own wellbeing as the priority.
Are apps suitable for children and teenagers?
Many products are designed for adults, and age limits and safeguards differ. Young people may need tools built with clinicians and clear safety processes, and parents or carers often need to be involved. Check the minimum age, the privacy terms and whether there is human oversight. If a young person shows signs of serious distress, seek help from a doctor, school counsellor or crisis service instead of relying only on an app.
Sources and further reading
These pages were reachable when we last checked. They informed definitions and rules referred to above; they do not endorse this guide. Where rules differ by country, check the authority for your location.
- Mental health — NHS, retrieved 27 October 2026
- Mental health information — US National Institute of Mental Health, retrieved 27 October 2026
- Business guidance — US Federal Trade Commission, retrieved 27 October 2026
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