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Mental Health

Therapist In Your Pocket? The Surge In Mental Health Apps

Connecticut Public Radio | By Lucy Nalpathanchil,
Sujata Srinivasan
Published July 8, 2021 at 8:12 AM EDT
Courtesy: Art and Soul Art Therapy
A young client at Art and Soul Art Therapy in Madison with therapist Briana Benn-Mirandi, who incorporates mental health apps in her counseling sessions.

Digital downloads for mental health needs surged nearly 200 percent during the pandemic. Now, it seems this trend is here to stay. The market for mental health apps is projected to reach 3.3 billion dollars in the next six years. This hour, experts discuss how digital products are changing the way people care for their mental wellbeing, and the scientific rigor required from app developers to ensure successful outcomes. 

Coming up, we talk to industry experts on the future of apps in mental healthcare. Anecdotes versus evidence: What works, and what doesn't? 

GUESTS: 

  • Briana Benn-Mirandi - therapist at Art and Soul Art Therapy in Madison, CT.

  • Dr. Paul Weigle - psychiatrist and Associate Medical Director of Ambulatory Programs at Natchaug Hospital, part of HartfordHealthCare’s Behavioral Health Services.

  • Dr. Doug Nemecek -  Chief Medical Officer for Behavioral Health, Cigna.

  • Karen Brown - Health Reporter at New England Public Radio.
Mental Health
Lucy Nalpathanchil
Lucy leads Connecticut Public's strategies to deeply connect and build collaborations with community-focused organizations across the state.
See stories by Lucy Nalpathanchil
Sujata Srinivasan
Sujata Srinivasan is Connecticut Public Radio’s senior health reporter. Prior to that, she was a senior producer for Where We Live, a newsroom editor, and from 2010-2014, a business reporter for the station.
See stories by Sujata Srinivasan

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The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Protect Connecticut Public