10 Great iPad and iPhone Apps For Psychologists

Virtually every profession has been transformed in some way by the rapid and wide proliferation of smartphone and tablet devices. Psychology is no exception to this rule, as the profession has seen a large chunk of its most useful information digitized in the form of a mobile application. From models of the brain to crucial diagnosis information, psychology-related apps are on the rise. These applications are making the profession much more accessible to younger psychology graduates, and they’re helping current students enhance their skill set and bring a fresh perspective to their career. Among all of the applications currently available, there are ten that particularly stand out. (Clicking on the app name will take you to iTunes)

1. PAR Assessment Toolkit

Psychology, as a field, is characterized by a number of standard tests and assessments in order to successfully and accurately diagnose patients with a wide range of disorders. In the years prior to smartphone proliferation, professionals in the field had to maintain things like their own documentation of a normal bell curve, their own set of assessments, a stop watch, and a calculator to turn patient results into statistically relevant information. That is now an outdated practice.

The PAR Assessment Toolkit is an innovative new application that combines a normal curve, an age calculator, a statistical analysis component, and even a stopwatch, to enhance patient assessments on the job. Best of all, this highly effective application is free and available for both iPhone and iPad users.

2. Diagnostic Criteria From DSM-IV-TR

American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., or APPI, has long been the leading authority on the diagnosis and definition of psychological disorders and other conditions. Its popular DSM manual is an important component of virtually every undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral-level course, and it remains the industry standard for virtually every professional with the broader psychology field. For far too long, the DSM has been available only as a very large, very clunky book full of fine print and various disorders. Now, the APPI has digitized the entire book, from start to finish, and made it available for both iPhone and iPad.

The digital version of this essential tool has extended description and criteria for each disorder and condition, and is intricately categorized and organized for easy use on the job. Psychology professionals who are tired of paging through page after page of the traditional DSM will find this app well worth its up-front cost.

3. Substance Abuse & Addiction Assessments

Addiction counseling is easily one of the fastest growing fields within psychology, and this unique application actually allows psychologists to assess their patients electronically. Available for both iPhone and iPad, this application presents assessment questions in a digital format, and patients can mark a “yes” or “no” button for each question. At the conclusion, the responses are tallied by the application and a preliminary diagnosis is given to both doctor and patient for further treatment and analysis.

4. STAT ICD-9 LITE

Most psychology professionals have nightmarish memories of learning the field’s most important diagnostic codes when dealing with patients. Test and test drilled these codes and hammered them home, with psychology students determined to know every last one. The STAT-ICD-9 LITE app, though, makes this practice outdated. The application has virtually every diagnostic code that psychology professionals and others could ever need, and it presents them in an easy-to-understand way on both iPhones and iPads.

5. Skyscape RxDrugs

Many psychologists inevitably return to school to pair their diagnostic prowess with the ability to prescribe medications. Each of these medications has a specific dosing guideline, however, that must be remembered and referenced with the RxDrugs application for iPhone and iPad, psychiatrists can be sure they’re writing accurate prescriptions for those patients who need the support of both in-person meetings and proven medications.

6. PTSD Coach

America’s veterans have long been known to suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder upon returning home from bloody battles abroad, and psychologists have been charged with helping them overcome the gruesome images and experiences they endured in battle. Now, the US Department of Veterans Affairs has created its own app, PTSD Coach, which helps psychologists specifically relate to, and diagnose, veterans who have arrived home with PTSD. Diagnostics, management techniques, and more, are featured in this app.

7. 3D Brain

One of the most grueling courses any psychologist goes through is biopsychology, a class focused primarily on the functions and regions of the brain. To keep fresh on this information and use it practically with patients, the 3D Brain app actually present a three-dimensional brain that can be dissected by function, region, and patient. It’s a really great way to interact with patients and explain their condition, as well as a great refresher for professionals.

8. Schizophrenia Psychopharmacology

Schizophrenia represents one of the most common, and one of the least understood, disorders. That said, the disorder is increasingly easy to diagnose and begin treating. That’s especially true with the Schizophrenia Psychopharmacology application, which helps psychologists diagnose the disorder, assess its severity, and treat or medicate it appropriately in each case.

9. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, Eighth Edition

For those on a more clinical path within psychology, this app is one of the best to have on an iPad or iPhone. It has more commonly been used among British students, but has recently found its way into American courses and professions. The Oxford Handbook for iPhone and iPad has all of the clinical definitions, studies, and procedures needed for a successful practice.

10. PsycExplorer

The field of psychology is always changing and evolving as new information, new studies, and new discoveries, become available. The PsycExplorer app for iPhone and iPad culls all of these stories into just one area, keeping professionals updated on the latest developments in their profession on an ongoing basis.

Plenty of Options for Psychologists

The mobile applications available for iPhone and iPad are quickly changing the way psychologists learn about, understand, diagnose, and treat disorders in their patients. These applications represent some of the best sources in the field, and some of the most authoritative voices, in a way that is easily accessible to professionals, students, and even patients. They’re an invaluable asset for a profession that is rapidly changing amid technological development and greater understanding.