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Made with for better mental health
v2.2.0

MindShift CBT

MindShift CBT is a free, evidence-based self-help app developed by Anxiety Canada. It provides cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)–inspired tools, relaxation exercises, thought-challenging, worry tracking, and coping cards to help users manage anxiety, panic, worry, and stress. The app was designed for adolescents and young adults, but can be used by adults as well. **Note:** the app is scheduled to be sunset — updates and support end March 31, 2025.**
digital tools
Reviewed by the HeyPsych Medical Review Board
Board-certified psychiatrists and mental health professionals
Medical Review Board
Published: December 25, 2025
Last Updated: March 13, 2025
Last Reviewed: January 9, 2026

In Plain Terms

MindShift CBT offers tools to help you understand and manage anxiety: you can track worries, challenge unhelpful thoughts, use relaxation and mindfulness exercises, and build coping strategies. It’s useful for managing mild to moderate anxiety, stress or panic — but not a substitute for professional care if your symptoms are severe or persistent.

MindShift CBT

CBT / Anxiety & Stress Management

4.2
2K reviews

Available On

iOS
Android
Offline Access
Data Export
Free Tier Available
Last updated: 3/13/2025

How Well Does It Work?

Preliminary
Symptom reduction — feasibility data only
vs. Compared to treatment-as-usual control

In Plain Terms

MindShift may help reduce anxiety and stress, especially if used regularly — but it should be viewed as a self-help or adjunctive tool, not a substitute for professional care.

A feasibility randomized controlled trial among psychiatric inpatients showed that MindShift CBT was acceptable and usable; some participants reported reduced anxiety and distress after short-term use. Due to small sample size and study design, evidence is preliminary. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Who Should Use This?

Best For:

MindShift CBT could benefit people who:

  • Experience occasional or ongoing anxiety, panic, worry, or stress (mild to moderate)
  • Want to try evidence-based CBT tools on their own schedule
  • Prefer free tools with no payment required
  • Are comfortable using a self-help app and want to explore thought-work, relaxation, and anxiety coping strategies

Not Recommended For:

  • People with severe anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts, or other serious mental health conditions needing intensive care
  • Those expecting fast or guaranteed cures — results depend heavily on regular use and additional support when needed
  • Users needing data security or HIPAA-level protections (data storage/encryption is uncertain)

Key Features Explained

Anxiety Check-Ins & Worry Tracking

Allow users to log anxiety levels, triggers, and physical symptoms. Useful for noticing patterns and triggers over time. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Thought Records & Belief Experiments

Techniques to challenge unhelpful or distorted thinking and test beliefs — core CBT practice. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Relaxation, Mindfulness, and “Chill Zone” Tools

Guided breathing, grounding, visualization, and mindfulness exercises to calm anxiety and panic. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Fear-Ladder / Exposure Planning & Comfort Zone Expansion

Tools to help face fears gradually, build exposure plans, and work on avoidance behaviors (social anxiety, phobias, panic). :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Goal Setting & Behavioral Activation

Users can set small goals (e.g. facing a fear, doing a calming activity) and track progress, encouraging actionable steps toward coping. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Cost & Subscription

MindShift CBT is free, with no required subscription or in-app purchases — all tools are free. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Free Features

  • • Full access to anxiety tools, thought records, relaxation, and coping resources

Platform Availability

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Anxiety tools, thought records, relaxation, CBT-based coping

Android

Same features as iOS: CBT tools, worry tracking, coping cards, mindfulness

Privacy & Data Security

C

MindShift is developed by a non-profit and does not sell user data for advertising. According to external audits, they collect necessary info (user-entered data, device info) but data encryption practices are unclear. The app appears to limit data sharing and allows user control over posted content in community features. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Data Collected

  • User-entered anxiety check-ins and logs
  • Thought journal entries and coping/card usage
  • Usage metadata (time, frequency)
  • Optional user contact info if signing up

Data Shared

  • None sold to advertisers (non-profit organization)
  • Aggregated anonymized analytics (per privacy policy) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
No Data Sales
Encrypted
GDPR Compliant
Privacy managed under Canadian provincial + national privacy laws (Personal Information Protection Act / PIPEDA) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
  • Personal info and usage data collected (with consent) for analytics and community/forum if enabled. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
  • No sale of personal data to advertisers (non-profit policy) :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
  • Users should assume limited encryption and avoid posting sensitive personal info, especially in community forum — treat like a peer-support space, not confidential therapy environment. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

HIPAA Compliance

MindShift is not HIPAA-governed. If you export or share data externally, treat it as regular personal notes.

How to Start Using MindShift

How to Get Started

  1. 1Download MindShift CBT from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
  2. 2Create a free account or explore as guest (depending on store version)
  3. 3Use the anxiety check-in or worry tracker to record current feelings and identify triggers
  4. 4Explore thought-challenging tools (thought records, belief experiments) when anxious thoughts arise
  5. 5Use relaxation, mindfulness, or “Chill Zone” tools when feeling stressed or panic–ready
  6. 6Set small coping goals (exposure tasks, relaxation habits, behavioral activation) and track progress over time
  7. 7Consider combining app use with therapy or professional support if symptoms are moderate/severe or persistent

Pro Tips

  • • Use the app consistently — regular check-ins help track patterns over time
  • • Use thought-challenging and coping tools regularly, not only during crises
  • • Treat the app as a self-help supplement — not a replacement for therapy or professional care when needed
  • • Avoid sharing identifiable personal info in community forums — treat them as peer-support spaces

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • • Using the app only during anxiety spikes instead of building a habit (limits benefit)
  • • Expecting instant or complete resolution — anxiety disorders often require multi-modal care
  • • Using peer community like therapy — it’s peer-support, not professional counseling
  • • Assuming privacy beyond what’s documented — sensitive data should be handled with caution

Alternative Tools & Apps

Headspace

View

Meditation-focused mindfulness app — less CBT-structured but simpler for stress reduction and sleep support.

Calm

View

Sleep and relaxation-focused app — good for panic/anxiety episodes needing immediate calm, but not designed for long-term thought restructuring.

Sanvello

View

More comprehensive CBT-based & mood-tracking app with optional therapy/coaching (when available), but may require employer/plan access.

Related Mental Health Conditions

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
supportive
moderate

MindShift offers CBT tools for worry, fear, and anxiety — helpful for mild to moderate GAD when used consistently.

Panic Disorder
supportive
low

Includes panic-attack coping tools (relaxation, breathing, thought reframing) which can help manage panic symptoms. Not a replacement for full clinical treatment for severe panic.

Social Anxiety Disorder
supportive
low

Contains belief-challenging and exposure-style strategies (fear-ladders, comfort zone expansion) which may complement social anxiety therapy, but evidence for standalone use is limited.

Frequently Asked Questions