Recently, the My Sherpa smartphone app earned a top award from the Scientific Committee of the 2021 Encephalon Psychiatry Congress. Its innovative chatbot delivers expert psychological support, bridging the gap between therapy appointments.
Many patients wish they could reach their therapist anytime to address concerns. While that's not feasible, My Sherpa offers a reliable alternative. Developed by experienced psychiatrists and psychologists, this app doesn't replace professional care but provides essential support between sessions, helping patients manage until their next appointment.
The name "Sherpa" evokes the skilled guides who assist mountaineers scaling Himalayan peaks—much like how the app helps users navigate the peaks of anxiety and depression.
With over 100,000 downloads, My Sherpa was created in direct response to patient feedback. Many find the intervals between appointments too long, hesitate to contact therapists outside sessions, or want to actively work on issues like anxiety or phobias in the interim.
The chatbot starts by asking targeted questions to tailor a personalized program of exercises and activities drawn from established cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) methods used by clinicians. It adapts to the user's emotional and physical state, offering daily guidance with consent-based adjustments. Data sharing with therapists is also optional and requires explicit approval.
Note: My Sherpa is resource-intensive and works best with a fully charged battery. Originally free, it's now €5.99 per month, with plans to make it free and ongoing discussions for Social Security reimbursement.
