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Technologies and Tools in Mental Health Treatment

Dr. Assaf Caspi, Psychiatrist;  Dr. Rafi Lottner, Specialist Clinical Psychologist , Deputy Director of the Department of Autism in the Ministry of Health;  Shimona Lev-On, Senior Coordinator for Children, National Occupational Therapy Services, Medical Division, Ministry of Health
3 May 2026

The mental health sector incorporates various tools and aids that can help, support, and facilitate emotional regulation, coping with stress, reducing anxiety, managing complex mental conditions while improving the quality of life and daily function. Just as glasses help us see more clearly, the mental health sector has tools that can alleviate and help. The range is diverse and includes advanced technologies, sensory aids, tools for communication and self-expression, tools for daily planning, and tools for emotional and social support.

The types of tools can be divided into several categories:

  • Sensory-emotional regulation and relaxation aids: These tools can help achieve a sense of relief and calm when experiencing anxiety, sensory overload, restlessness, or psychological distress while facilitating more effective coping and improved functioning. For example: weighted blankets, stress balls, noise-canceling headphones, ice cubes, soothing music and essential oils.
  • Assistive tools and technologies integrated into the therapeutic process: These tools promote change, learning and emotional processing under professional guidance. They can be integrated into the therapeutic process or used as a structured complement between sessions, under the guidance or recommendation of a professional. For example: CBT applications, virtual reality tools, biofeedback tools, therapeutic writing or guided art-based creation.
  • Tools for therapeutic management, daily function and routine organization: These tools help manage self-care, maintain continuity of care, identify patterns and support monitoring and tracking in conjunction with the treating professional. For example: pill organizers, reminder apps, smartwatches, tracking journals and visual calendars.

Everyone is different, and what works for one individual may be less suitable for another.   A professional should be consulted when choosing suitable tools. Various options should be tried until the optimal combination that helps cope with mental health challenges is found.

Good to know: In psychiatric wards and inpatient alternatives, there is often a Snoezelen room—a multi-sensory environment that uses lights, sounds and textures to alleviate anxiety, facilitate emotional regulation, provide relief and improve psychological well-being. It is important to note that a similar “relaxation corner” can also be created at home using simple tools, such as dim lighting, soft music, and sensory-regulation aids like a weighted blanket or a stress ball.

Each one of us occasionally needs support and tools that can help ease various symptoms, assist with daily function, promote better treatment management and medical follow-up. Just as we use glasses to see better or crutches to walk more comfortably, there are also mental health tools can support emotional or sensory regulation, coping with stress and improving daily functioning.

Assistive tools are items, devices or services designed to help individuals better cope with emotional difficulties, achieve psychological balance and more effectively manage treatment. The range is very broad—from simple tools that help with emotional and sensory regulation to advanced technologies that support daily treatment management.

Each person is a world unto themselves, and what helps one person may be less effective for another. Selection of the appropriate tools depends on individual needs, the type of challenge being faced and personal preferences.

Important to remember

Important to remember

  • A professional should be consulted when choosing suitable tools.
  • Various tools can be tried to see what works best for you.

Sensory-emotional regulation and relaxation aids in stressful situations

Tools that support immediate self-regulation help the body and nervous system calm down, making it possible to continue with daily life. These tools can be used independently or as part of learning regulation and relaxation skills in therapy.

When it may be useful: during moments of being overwhelmed, anxiety, sensory overload, restlessness, or an immediate need for calming.

  • Weighted blanket: the gentle and uniform pressure of the blanket creates a feeling of being hugged, protection and security while helping sooth the nervous system. It is suitable for reducing anxiety and improving sleep onset.
  • Stress balls and fidget toys: squeeze balls, spinners, stretchy items, and similar tools can help release tension and pent-up energy and restore focus. They are especially useful in situations of stress or restlessness, are easy to use anywhere, and can help restore the body’s balance.
  • Various ice-cube tray aids: Exposure to cold can help reduce stress, and the sensation of contact with ice produces a strong physical stimulus that helps focus attention on the present moment. This method can be particularly effective during moments of crisis, anxiety, dissociation, or emotional overwhelm.
  • Dolls, soft pillows, and comforting tactile objects: Soft items that provide comfort and pleasant touch can help calm and restore a sense of stability, especially during emotional overload.
  • Eye masks: help reduce visual stimulation during overwhelm, rest or before sleep, and create a “quiet bubble” sensation.
  • Noise-canceling headphones: help reduce heightened sensory input and ease feelings of being overwhelmed in noisy environments (such as public transport, shopping malls, etc.). They can also be used to listen to calming music or simply to create silence.
  • Sunglasses or soft, dim lighting: reduce the intensity of visual stimuli. Bright or flickering lighting can cause fatigue and over-stimulation while dim and soft lighting can have a calming effect and help with concentration.
  • Adapted clothing: For individuals with sensory hypersensitivity, clothing made from fabrics, textures, and seams that do not irritate the skin should be chosen.
  • Rocking in a rocking chair: a rhythmic and gentle rocking motion helps calm both the body and mind. It helps gain a sense of stability and peace.
  • Warm bath: Contact with water and heat helps relax muscles while alleviating stress in the body.

  • Calming music or a personalized playlist: songs you enjoy, or soothing music can help change mood, help relaxation and provide relief. A playlist should be prepared in advance for moments of stress. Nature sounds can also help soothe the nervous system, balance levels of stimulation and alleviate stress.
  • Calming scents (essential oils, candles, and diffusers): certain aromas, such as lavender, vanilla, and others can affect the nervous system and help relax the body, reduce stress and improve sleep quality. You can use scented candles, essential oils, or a diffuser.
  • Calming and dim lighting: helps create a sense of relaxation.

Good to know

Good to know

In psychiatric wards and inpatient alternatives, there is often a Snoezelen room—a multi-sensory environment that uses lights, sounds and textures to alleviate anxiety, facilitate emotional regulation, provide relief and improve psychological well-being. A similar “relaxation corner” can also be created at home using simple tools, such as dim lighting, soft music, and sensory-regulation aids like a weighted blanket or a stress ball.

Assistive tools and technologies integrated during therapy

This group includes tools that promote change, learning or emotional processing as part of an ongoing therapeutic process.

When it may be useful: as part of a therapeutic process or as a structured supplement between sessions, under the guidance or recommendation of a professional.

  • Virtual reality (VR) tools: enable the creation of virtual therapy environments for individual or group therapy, often using virtual reality to induce relaxation, guided imagery, etc. Virtual reality is also used as a tool to expose patients to objects or situations that trigger anxiety or distress, for example in the treatment of social phobia or body image issues in eating disorders. The therapist accompanies the process and teaches coping skills during the session.
  • Biofeedback apps: help achieve control over physiological measures such as heart rate and breathing regulation in order to reach a state of relaxation. They can help a person recognize their body’s responses and receive immediate feedback on how practicing relaxation skills helps reduce anxiety.

  • CBT apps (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): guide users in identifying negative thoughts, cognitive distortions and rigid thinking patterns, as well as in learning how to cope with them. They also enable daily practice between therapy sessions or as a complement to treatment.
  • Meditation and mindfulness apps as part of a guided therapeutic process: include practices that reduce arousal and promote relaxation, calmness and the ability to stay in the “here and now.”

  • Guided or free therapeutic writing (journals, notebooks): allows for self-reflection, analysis of situations and experiences, supports emotional processing, helps identify behavioral patterns and reduces emotional overload.
  • Art and creative expression as a therapeutic tool: drawing, sculpture, or other forms of creative art allow emotions to be expressed even without words. The creative process itself can be calming and can provide a sense of control.
  • Communication cards for expressing emotions and needs (especially for children or in cases of verbal difficulty): allow individuals to express feelings, emotions or needs even when it is difficult to speak or find the right words. They facilitate daily communication and thereby reduce frustration and distress.

Tools for therapeutic management, monitoring and daily function

These tools are used to support and streamline self-management, independence and continuity of care over time. They help with organization and structure, and support monitoring and follow-up in coordination with the treating professional.

When it should be used: in daily life and as needed. 

  • Medication organizers (pill boxes): help organize medications using daily or weekly compartments, often including reminders for taking medication. The goal is to reduce errors and make medication tracking easier, especially when multiple medications are involved. Today, there are also digital smart pill boxes that feature automatic reminders and structured organization. Some connect to apps, allowing family members or caregivers to monitor use, help prevent errors and reduce the risk of emergencies.
  • Medication reminder apps: help remember when to take medications and prevent missed doses. Regular reminders help maintain continuity of care, especially in complex therapeutic regimens.

  • Smartwatches and fitness bands: provide and monitor data such as heart rate, physical activity, sleep, and stress levels. They can help with managing daily routines and understanding what affects your mental well-being.
  • Mood tracking apps or apps for monitoring varying states of mental health (e.g., psychotic or suicidal symptoms): allow users to document changes in symptoms over time and identify behavioral patterns. This information can help you and your therapeutic team during the therapeutic process.
  • Monitoring journals: manually recording symptoms, sleep, and mood can reveal patterns you may not always notice, help identify changes over time and clarify what affects you (identification of triggers). This monitoring also helps to personalize treatment.
  • Manual or digital food diaries (in eating disorders): help track adherence to a meal plan, monitor eating (when supervision is required), identify eating patterns, emotional triggers, symptoms, and problematic behaviors as well as deviations from the therapeutic plan. Food diaries can help provide a sense of control for the patient, as well as support better monitoring, tracking, and coordination between the patient, the caregiving family member, and the multidisciplinary staff.

  • Visual calendars: help create structure and clarity, and make it easier to see the structure of the day or week. The visual planning itself makes it easier to see tasks and helps reduce anxiety and confusion.
  • Picture-based task lists: images create clarity and make it easier to carry out sequences of actions, especially for those who struggle with planning or who benefit from repeated, structured cues.
  • Timers and clocks for time management: simple tools that help divide the day into clear segments, support task completion, track time periods, reduce stress and maintain a stable routine.
  • Reminder systems: such as apps, WhatsApp reminders, watches and notes. They help maintain routine and remember tasks, appointments, and medication intake.

  • Identification tags with important medical or personal information: a tool that can help in situations where you may have difficulty speaking for yourself, such as providing medical details or other personal information.
  • Setting up an emergency contact and medical information on a personal phone: you can designate an emergency contact that can be called even when the phone is locked, so that caregivers or people nearby can quickly reach them. In addition, important medical information for emergencies can be recorded in a built-in app (depending on the phone manufacturer—often under “Health” or “Safety & Emergency”).
  • Support apps on mobile phones: Most smartphones today include built-in apps that can help track patterns such as steps, heart rate, screen time, medication management and reminder, as well as emergency detection and other features.

Finally, it is important to emphasize again that assistive tools can be an important component in coping with mental health challenges. Using them is not a sign of weakness or impairment, but rather a smart and practical way to improve quality of life. Everyone can find the tools that work best for them. It is important to remember that finding the right tools can take time, and the use of several tools together may be more effective than relying on a single one. If you are unsure which tools to choose or how to adapt them to your personal needs, consult a professional who can guide you and recommend the most suitable options.

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