Evidence-based support for PTSD and trauma. Access proven DBT/CBT techniques, AI crisis support, and 24/7 resources. Your companion for healing.
Anchor is an educational mental health support app designed specifically for veterans and individuals living with PTSD and trauma-related conditions. Built with evidence-based DBT and CBT techniques from authoritative sources including Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, the American Psychological Association, and the VA National Center for PTSD, Anchor provides immediate access to coping strategies, crisis resources, and AI-powered support whenever you need it.
KEY FEATURES:
Evidence-Based DBT/CBT Techniques (with Medical Citations)
- Grounding exercises (5-4-3-2-1, Body Scan, Physical Grounding, etc.)
- Breathing techniques (Box Breathing, 4-7-8, Diaphragmatic, etc.)
- Distress tolerance skills (TIPP, ACCEPTS, Self-Soothe, etc.)
- Emotion regulation strategies (PLEASE, Opposite Action, Check the Facts, etc.)
- Interpersonal effectiveness (DEAR MAN, GIVE, etc.)
- Mindfulness practices (Observe, Describe, Participate, etc.)
- Cognitive techniques (Thought Records, Behavioral Activation, etc.)
- All techniques include citations to reputable medical sources
AI Support Assistant
- Real-time technique suggestions based on your emotional state
- Crisis moment guidance with intelligent keyword detection
- Trauma-informed, validating responses
- Quick help buttons for immediate support
- Powered by advanced natural language understanding
Enhanced Mood & Emotion Tracking
- Quick 5-point mood scale for fast check-ins
- Detailed emotion logging with PTSD-appropriate emotion model
- Track primary emotions, intensity, and context
- Identify patterns in hypervigilance, shutdown responses, and emotional states
- Progress charts and trend visualization
- Data export for healthcare providers
24/7 Crisis Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988)
- Veterans Crisis Line
- Crisis Text Line
- Local emergency resources
- Personal safety planning tools
Progress Tracking
- Daily mood logging with progress charts
- Technique effectiveness ratings
- Identify patterns and triggers
- Data export for healthcare providers
Privacy & Security
- All data stored locally on your device
- No cloud storage without your consent
- No tracking or analytics
- HIPAA-aware design
- Secure storage for sensitive information
100% Offline Capable
- All features work without internet
- Access techniques anytime, anywhere
- Crisis resources available offline
DESIGNED FOR:
- Veterans with PTSD
- Trauma survivors
- Individuals in therapy seeking supplemental educational tools
- Anyone learning DBT/CBT skills
- People managing anxiety and stress
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
Anchor is a self-help and educational tool. It is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a medical device and does not provide medical services. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services or a crisis hotline immediately.
WHY ANCHOR?
Created with input from mental health professionals and trauma survivors, Anchor combines evidence-based techniques with modern technology to provide educational support when you need it most. Whether you're in therapy or managing symptoms on your own, Anchor is your companion for learning coping skills and personal growth.
SUPPORT:
For questions, feedback, or support, visit our GitHub repository or contact us through the app.
Your journey to healing matters. Download Anchor today.
I think the app could you improvements. First accessibility throughout the app could be improved, especially for the breathing exercises, They’re hard to use if you are blind, and second, I wish all of the tools were interactive, instead of just reading about a technique, I think you should be able to practice it in real time, All of the tools should be interactive, but especially the exposure one, you should be able to input exposure activities, and complete them.Review update.The Accesibility issues seem fixed, but the Safety Plan could use a different layout I think. Instead of having just one box where you can add text per section, it should be a multi select list where you can also add your own items, so instead of having one box where you put all of your warning signs for example, it would be more like a list, layout. This should be the case for each step, and a note about the support contacts step, that one, especially should not just be one box where you put names and phone numbers, it should again be a list type layout, where you can import/add contacts, and then most importantly, be able to quickly call/text them.
Developer Response
Thank you so much for the thoughtful feedback — I really appreciate you taking the time to share it.Accessibility is very important to me, and I agree there’s room to improve VoiceOver support, especially for breathing exercises. This is something I’m actively looking at for future updates.I also appreciate the suggestion around making more tools interactive. Anchor is still evolving, and feedback like this helps guide what comes next.Thanks again for engaging so deeply with the app — it truly means a lot.Update: I'm happy to let you know that both of your suggestions have been implemented!1. Accessibility: Fixed VoiceOver navigation throughout the app, including breathing exercises. All screens now have proper accessibility labels and support.2. Safety Plan: Completely redesigned with the list-based layout you suggested! Each section now has add/remove functionality, and the contact sections include tap-to-call and tap-to-text buttons for quick access during crisis moments.These updates are live in the latest version. Thank you for helping make Anchor better for everyone...your feedback directly shaped these improvements.
More variety, better conversations!
- 52 new breathing reminders (150 total) - 3 days of unique messages
- 30 new daily DBT/CBT skill reminders (180 total)
- Smart shuffle: no repeats until you've seen all messages
- Improved AI memory for more natural conversations
- Bug fixes and performance improvements
Version 1.2.12
The developer, Ryan Charles Lingo, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
Ryan Charles Lingo
Size
32.3 MB
Category
Health & Fitness
Compatibility
Requires iOS 15.1 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 15.1 or later.
iPod touch Requires iOS 15.1 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 12.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
