Making the Most of Apps & Web Tools
VA and the National Center for PTSD have developed a number of mobile and online resources that can support rural Veterans, whether as part of mental health treatment with a provider or independently for self-help. Importantly, these tools do not take the place of treatment with a provider when mental health treatment is needed. Mobile self-help tools, such as the PTSD Coach app, and web-based programs, such as PTSD Coach Online, offer psychoeducation, skills-practice, and coping tools. They can be used between visits with a provider, as well as before, during, or after a course of treatment. Providers may offer self-help apps or web-based programs to Veterans with subclinical symptoms, or to those who elect not to engage in formal treatment for any number of reasons, including geographical barriers.
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Making The Most of Apps & Web Tools
PTSD: National Center for PTSD
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Making The Most of Apps & Web Tools
Rural Provider PTSD Toolkit
Self-help vs. Treatment Companion Tools
Click an option to learn more.
Treatment Companion
Self-help
Treatment Companion
Treatment companion tools are mobile apps and web-based programs designed to accompany an evidence-based treatment protocol, rather than to be used independently by a Veteran. For example, CPT Coach and PE Coach are mobile apps that both a provider and a Veteran use during Cognitive Processing Therapy or Prolonged Exposure to support treatment.
Self-help
Self-help mobile apps and web-based programs, on the other hand, can be used by Veterans with or without the support of a provider. These tools are not intended to be used in place of evidence-based therapy, but they offer resources and skill support to help manage symptoms of PTSD or related conditions.
See Example for further context
More Mobile Health Resources
In rural settings, sometimes Veterans who would benefit from psychotherapy may be unable to participate in a course of recommended treatment. For example, maybe the clinic is too far away to visit more than once monthly and lack of reliable internet connectivity in the Veteran's home makes video-to-home treatment challenging. The provider, with the Veteran's buy-in, may decide to supplement once-monthly sessions with homework from a relevant mobile app. While internet access is needed to download mobile apps, most app features are accessible without internet access. This means that the Veteran will be able to use the app even without internet once the app is downloaded.
More information about mobile apps and online programs that can be integrated into mental health treatment can be found at the links below.
Veteran Training provides self-help courses for commonly occurring problems such as sleep, problem solving, and anger management.
PTSD Coach Online provides videos and worksheets on skills to address post trauma difficulties.
See our treatment companion and self-help mobile apps for PTSD and related conditions.
VA Community Provider Toolkit offers educational resources to non-VA providers who are treating Veterans.
For questions regarding VA's National Center for PTSD mobile apps, email MobileMentalHealth@va.gov.
Veteran Training provides self-help courses for commonly occurring problems such as sleep, problem solving, and anger management.
PTSD Coach Online provides videos and worksheets on skills to address post trauma difficulties.
See our treatment companion and self-help mobile apps for PTSD and related conditions.
VA Community Provider Toolkit offers educational resources to non-VA providers who are treating Veterans.
For questions regarding VA's National Center for PTSD mobile apps, email MobileMentalHealth@va.gov.
