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Can a mental health app replace a therapist? Short answer: no. Mental health apps cannot replace licensed therapists or traditional therapy. They do not provide diagnosis, treatment, clinical judgement, or crisis support. What they can  do when designed and used responsibly, is support self-awareness, reflection, and skill-building, and complement professional care when appropriate. Understanding the difference matters. As mental health apps become more common, many people ar

Between CBT sessions, the work you do on your own can meaningfully strengthen the progress you make in therapy. In this guide, you’ll learn practical ways to apply CBT techniques throughout the week, including thought journaling, self‑monitoring, and mindful practice. These strategies help you build momentum and gain deeper insight into your patterns — all while staying connected to the skills you’re developing with your therapist. Why Between-Session Work Matters CBT is most

A CBT Thought Record is one of the most practical tools for understanding your thoughts, emotions, and reactions. In this guide, you’ll learn how to complete each part of a thought record and see a clear example showing how the process works. This step-by-step method is backed by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles developed by Aaron T. Beck (Beck, 1979) and widely recommended by the NHS and APA for managing unhelpful thinking patterns (NHS, 2024; APA, 2023). Using thoug

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can create meaningful change in a relatively short period of time, but the exact timeline varies from person to person. This guide explains average CBT durations, why progress differs, and how daily reflection can accelerate results. You'll also learn how a tool like MindTrace can support your journey between sessions. Typical Duration of CBT CBT is designed as a structured, time‑limited therapy. According to the NHS (2024), many people att

A CBT Thought Record worksheet is a practical tool used in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help you slow down, understand your thoughts, and gently shift unhelpful thinking patterns. This guide walks you through each field of a standard thought record — with a clear example at every step.MindTrace includes guided templates for all of these sections, making the process easier and more reflective. What Is a CBT Thought Record? A CBT Thought Record helps you examine the l

Cognitive distortions are habitual patterns of thinking that can distort reality and intensify anxiety, guilt, or self-doubt. Recognizing these mental habits is the first step to changing them. By identifying and reframing these distortions, you can begin to think more clearly and respond to challenges with greater balance. What Are Cognitive Distortions? Cognitive distortions are biased ways of interpreting situations, thoughts, or emotions. They often happen automatically —

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a form of talk therapy that helps people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected — and how shifting one can transform the others. At its core, CBT teaches practical ways to challenge unhelpful thought patterns, manage emotions, and make healthier choices in daily life. While CBT is one of the most researched and effective forms of therapy, it’s also deeply human: it’s about noticing your inner dialogue

When it comes to mental health, clarity is everything. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by swirling thoughts and emotions that seem to have no clear beginning or end. I’ve found that having a simple, structured way to track these thoughts can make a huge difference. That’s where tools like mindTrace come in. They help you organise your mental landscape, making it easier to understand yourself and communicate with your therapist. How MindTrace Mental Health Tools Help You Unders

When we think about our mental health, one of the most important things to understand is how our thoughts shape our feelings and behaviours. Sometimes, our minds play tricks on us, leading us to see things in a way that isn’t quite accurate. These are called cognitive distortions. They can make problems seem bigger than they are or cause us to feel stuck in negative cycles. I want to share some clear examples of these thought patterns and explain how they affect us. By recogn

When we think about our mental health, one of the most important things to understand is how our thoughts shape our feelings and behaviours. Sometimes, our minds play tricks on us, leading us to see the world in a way that isn’t quite accurate. These mental traps are often called cognitive biases or distortions. Recognising and managing these can be a game-changer in therapy and personal growth. Let’s explore the types of cognitive biases that commonly affect us, how they wor

Do you ever catch yourself slipping into a spiral of negative thoughts—believing “I always mess up,” or “They must be judging me” ? Those thoughts often come from cognitive distortions —the habitual, biased ways our mind filters experience. These distortions aren’t your fault. However, because they’re subtle and automatic, they can shape your mood, behaviour, and self-worth over time. The good news is that you can fight back. One powerful tool is a CBT thought tracker (or

What Is CBT Thought Tracking? CBT thought tracking is the practice of paying attention to your thoughts in real time and recording them so you can better understand how they affect your emotions and actions. Instead of letting thoughts run on autopilot, you pause, notice, and write them down. This small shift helps create distance between you and your thoughts, giving you space to reflect. What Is a Thought Record? A thought record is a structured tool often used in CBT to ca