Brief Overview of the ACT Companion App

The ACT Companion App was created by Dr. Russ Harris and his team based on his book The Happiness Trap.  The app is a convenient way to remind oneself to use ACT strategies daily for increasing personal flexibility.  It is available on the App Store (Apple) or from Google Play (Android).

The app targets flexibility by providing exercises that allow one to explore and practice skills and strategies to be more present, open, and to make values-based decisions.  There are over 2.5 hours of guided mindfulness audio tracks included with the app.  In addition to these exercises, notification reminders can be set to a frequency of choice, and are sent to a phone or other smart device.  These easy, “in the moment” mindfulness prompts are grounding, especially in moments of stress, and I have found these to be the most beneficial aspect of the app.  I like that I do not have to remember to open the app to practice.

The layout of the app is simple and easy to navigate.  There is a weekly self-evaluation tool to assist with progress monitoring, and data geeks will love the fact that on-going stats are visually reported on the app. There is also a crisis tool that allows for exploration of stressful events and measures the amount of flexibility used in navigating the event. 

Overall, the app is an affordable and easy way to keep ACT principles present in daily life.  The app itself is free with “in-app purchases” but subscriptions to the full program are cheap at $9.99 for an Unlimited Subscription, $3.99 for a three-month subscription, and $1.99 for a one-month subscription.  It is an app worth checking out.  For more information about this app, go to the website, actcompanion.com.

Lisa D. Jade, LCPC, LADC, CCS is a clinician working for Spurwink Services and has been an ACT practitioner since 2013.