Goal setting, problem solving and motivation apps

These apps have a variety of features and tools to help you with your mental heath and wellbeing, especially when things seem overwhelming.
Goal setting apps can help you set, track, and achieve your personal goals effectively.

Goal setting, problem solving and motivation apps have a variety of features and tools to help you with your mental heath and wellbeing, especially when things seem overwhelming. Goal setting apps can help you set, track, and achieve your personal goals effectively.

It's known that when you take a complex or overwhelming problem and break it into smaller, understandable choices or steps, it helps you feel more in control of the situation. Setting and tracking goals can give you direction and meaning, which can help with feelings of anxiety or indecision. The apps can help users to take small, manageable actions, even during periods of low motivation. They can also help you set set realistic goals which can help reduce negative thinking. Read more about goal setting and making changes.

It's important to remember that apps don’t replace professional help or your doctor’s advice.

Before choosing an app, think about how it will benefit you and what you want it to be able to do.

An app will only be helpful if you use it, so it needs to be something you like using and find easy to use.
If you find the app difficult to use, or you don't like the imagery or look of it, or the language it uses, you may want to find another one that suits you better.
For more guidance on how to choose health apps, see how to choose a health app.
It's important to remember that apps don’t replace professional help or your doctor’s advice.

App	Features	Clinical Review
Aunty Dee	Online tool Problem solving Aimed at Pacific and Maori young people aged 14-25 years Cost: free Available from Aunty website Read more about Aunty Dee
Finding Purpose	Interactive online tool for for rangatahi/young people. Cost: free Available from Clearhead's website Read more about Finding Purpose
Beating the Blues	Reference to what to do in a crisis with details of other services and websites. Video tutorial for providers on how to use the web portal to support patients/clients using the programme. Case studies that users can relate to. Available from website Cost: free Read more about Beating the Blues.
Mana Restore	Website information for young people and their families. Counselling online chat Aunty Dee free tool to help work through problems and find solutions. Emergency contact numbers. Links to free helplines. Free information on a range of mental health related topics. Available from website Cost: free Read more about Mana Restore
SuperBetter	Goal setting Self-monitoring Self-reward Gamification Online community Available from Google Play and iTunes Cost: free Read more about SuperBetter
WOOP	Goal setting Uses an evidence method called “mental contrasting with implementation intentions” Available from Google Play and iTunes Cost: free Read more about WOOP
Happify	Goal setting Follow different tracks based on your goals Gamification Reminders Available from Google Play and iTunes Paired website, can complete activities on all devices Cost: free (basic), paid upgrade Read more about Happify	Free version: Paid version:

Making changes and goal setting
NZ Health App Library
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app

References

Bolier L, Haverman M, Westerhof GJ, Riper H, Smit F, Bohlmeijer E. Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies(external link). BMC Public Health. 2013 Feb 8;13:119.1.
Carpenter J, Crutchley P, Zilca RD, Schwartz HA, Smith LK, Cobb AM, et al. Seeing the “Big” Picture: Big Data Methods for Exploring Relationships Between Usage, Language, and Outcome in Internet Intervention Data(external link). Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2016;18(8):e241.

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Editorial team

Last reviewed: 24 Apr 2018

Page last updated: 27 Sep 2022

Goal setting, problem solving and motivation apps