Stories

SDG3 Startup of the week: Pocketcoach

Mental health self-help app, a digital coach that teaches skills to reduce anxiety, stress and repetitive worrying.

24.01.2020.

Pocketcoach is a mental health self-help app, a digital coach that teaches skills to reduce anxiety, stress
and repetitive worrying.

The Pocketcoach app is an automated coach teaching cognitive behavioral therapy and other therapeutic approaches. The application uses short, daily conversations to guide users through its interactive self-help programs. Its unique approach is that it aims to help users in the long term – by guiding them through a therapy-like process that builds retainable skills over several months. Plus, it’s available 24/7 so users have a place to turn to whenever they face a difficult time.

We asked Manuel Kraus, Pocketcoach’s founder: What motivated you to found Pocketcoach?
“Of course, we want to help our users when they feel nervous or worried or are about to panic,” says  “But that alone is not enough. Ultimately, our goal is to help people change their behavior and the way they feel for
good. This takes more time but will eventually help them cope independently – without the help of an app.”

Pocketcoach’s self-help programs are based on well-researched and widely-used anxiety treatments. “We draw on a variety of cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness therapies which help people better understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors,” says Tara Anson, a mental health counselor from New York and Pocketcoach’s Head of Content. “The idea behind the application is to put those insights and exercises into a format that is both simple and fun to use. “

After developing a prototype and testing with more than 10.000 users, we realized that people use Pocketcoach for three main reasons.

1. They feel scared or ashamed of talking to a real therapist,
2. They can’t afford professional help or their insurance won’t pay for it and
3. They experience mild forms of anxiety and don’t see the need for professional help.

The app is not meant to replace therapists, but rather it’s geared towards those who currently do not want, need or have access to professional therapy. Up to 30% of the population suffers from anxiety at some point in their lives, but only half of them get treatment. Pocketcoach gives those without professional support the chance to help themselves, and with that creates solutions to mental health, one of the least talked health issues of today.

Try this simple and effective solution that is working towards the SDG3: Good Health and well-being:

Google Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.pocketcoach.app
App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/app/id1469216793
Learn more about Pocketcoach on their Website:
https://www.pocketcoach.co