# Anchor - PTSD Support — DBT & CBT for PTSD & Trauma > Evidence-based DBT/CBT support app for PTSD and trauma survivors. (iPhone/iPad app by Ryan Charles Lingo.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anchor-ptsd-support/id6755088021 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Ryan Charles Lingo](https://appshunter.io/developer/1851849568) - Category: Health & Fitness, Medical - Price: Free - Rating: 4.50/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 17+ - Requires: iOS 15.1 · 31 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2025-11-14 - Data updated: 2026-08-22 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anchor-ptsd-support/id6755088021/reviews.md ## What is Anchor? 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. ## Key features - Evidence-based DBT/CBT techniques - AI support assistant - Mood and emotion tracking - 24/7 crisis resources - Progress tracking - Offline capability - Privacy-focused design ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anchor-ptsd-support/id6755088021/reviews.md ### 4/5 — App suggestions? *2026-02-01* 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. ### 4/5 — App suggestions? *2025-12-23* 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. **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. ## Frequently asked questions about Anchor ### What is Anchor's primary purpose? Anchor is an educational mental health support app designed for individuals living with PTSD and trauma-related conditions. It offers evidence-based coping strategies and resources to help manage symptoms. ### What types of coping techniques does Anchor offer? Anchor provides a wide range of techniques including grounding exercises, breathing techniques, distress tolerance skills, emotion regulation strategies, interpersonal effectiveness skills, mindfulness practices, and cognitive techniques. ### How does Anchor's AI support assistant work? The AI support assistant offers real-time technique suggestions based on your emotional state and provides trauma-informed, validating responses. It also features intelligent keyword detection for crisis moment guidance. ### Does Anchor require an internet connection to function? No, Anchor is 100% offline capable. All features, including coping techniques and crisis resources, are accessible without an internet connection, allowing for anytime, anywhere access. ### How does Anchor handle user privacy and data security? Anchor prioritizes privacy by storing all data locally on your device with no cloud storage without consent. It avoids tracking and analytics and is designed with HIPAA awareness for secure storage of sensitive information. ### What are the crisis resources available in Anchor? Anchor includes direct access to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), Veterans Crisis Line, Crisis Text Line, and local emergency resources. It also offers personal safety planning tools. ### Is Anchor suitable for children? Anchor has an age rating of 17+, indicating it is intended for adult users. The content and techniques are designed for adults managing complex mental health conditions. ### How often is Anchor updated? The app was last updated on March 1, 2026, indicating a commitment to ongoing development and maintenance. Version 1.2.12 is the latest release. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.2.15 — 2026-08-14 Notification Reliability Improvements - Fixed an issue where turning off notifications in Settings didn't always stick, and improved how the app tracks reminder scheduling so breathing and mood check-ins keep working reliably even if you haven't opened the app in a while. Also restored the full variety of breathing reminder messages (150 unique messages), and cleaned up formatting in AI Support chat responses. ### 1.2.14 — 2026-06-27 PDF Progress Report - Export your mood and technique history as a beautifully formatted PDF. Choose a date range (7 days, 30 days, 3 months, or all time) and share the report with your therapist or healthcare provider. Includes summary statistics, mood history, and technique effectiveness. Also fixed an issue where data export could fail for long-time users with large amounts of data. ### 1.2.12 — 2026-03-01 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 ### 1.2.11 — 2026-02-18 Enhanced Safety Plan with Quick Contact Access - Interactive Safety Plan with easy add/remove functionality - Tap-to-call and tap-to-text buttons for emergency contacts - Automatic phone number formatting for consistency - Cleaner, less overwhelming visual design - Improved accessibility for screen readers Your existing Safety Plan data has been preserved and upgraded to the new format. ### 1.2.8 — 2026-02-11 Important Update: Enhanced Security & Reliability We've improved the AI support feature to ensure Anchor remains available and reliable for everyone who needs it. • Enhanced security and performance improvements • More stable AI chat experience • Bug fixes and optimizations All your favorite features remain unchanged: -28 evidence-based DBT/CBT techniques -Guided breathing exercises -Crisis support resources -Mood tracking and progress insights -AI support companion Thank you for trusting Anchor with your mental health journey. We're here for you. ## Apps similar to Anchor | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [WorryFree - Pocket CBT Aid](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/worryfree-pocket-cbt-aid/id6745962528) | — | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Lunar Mirror: Mood Tracking](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lunar-mirror-mood-tracking/id6754166215) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [ResiEMDR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/resiemdr/id1615291169) | — | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Ekoe: Attachment Style Coach](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ekoe-attachment-style-coach/id6748717161) | 5.0 (5) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Enhance Attention](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/enhance-attention/id6470037942) | — | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Notecal AI - Calorie Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notecal-ai-calorie-tracker/id6755344730) | — | Free | Health & Fitness | ## Related topics [pthd](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pthd) · [ptsd](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ptsd) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-22.*