Voda app

Voda app

  • Provides digital therapy programmes for specific LGBTQIA+ issues, from overcoming internalised stigma, to dating, body image and relationships.
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Voda: LGBTQIA+ Mental Wellness app By Voda Technologies Limited

Features

  • Reminders.
  • Daily check-in, notifications.
Country of origin United Kingdom
Clinical review 

4 star review


Read a clinical review below.

Security and privacy Does the app:
  • Collect medical information? No
  • Require a login? Yes
  • Have password protection? Unknown
  • Have a privacy policy? Yes
  • Require internet access to use? Yes

Read more about safety and security when using apps.

Brochures:
Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ
Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ

Cost Basic is free, but there is a paid upgrade version.
Advertisements This app contains no ads.
How to get the app

The Voda app provides evidence-based therapy and support to LGBTQIA+ users. It is most useful for people aged 12 years and over, and individuals wanting to learn ways to manage challenges commonly experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Voda provides the users with evidence-based therapy and support to overcome an array of challenging emotions (eg, therapeutic exercises to calm down and de-stress, guided therapy to build emotional self-awareness, mindfulness to calm down, introductory programmes around accepting difficult emotions, calming anxiety, affirming identify, practising gratitude). It also provides articles to read that support the user to gain a better understanding of some of the challenges they maybe facing (eg, being self-confident, insecurities in relationships, overcoming internalised stigma, accepting my body, dealing with critical self-talk).

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), Google Play(external link), App Store(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS CONS 

✔ As above, it provides the user with an array of evidence-based therapy and supports embedded in the app and free to the user.

Users must create an account to begin to use the app which may put some users off who want to remain anonymous.

User must purchase the “premium” membership to access a lot more content.

Clinical review

4 star review



Reviewer
: Jasmine Murphy, Psychologist
Date of review: Mar 2023
Platform: Apple
Version: 1.43
Comments: The app provides the 12 years + user with a great deal of evidence-based content (which can be used by anyone in the community, while simultaneously providing content with a specific focus on ways to support the LGBTQIA+ community).
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes


Clinical review

3.5 star review



Reviewer
: Wendy Voon, Health Consumer Advisor at Health Navigator Charitable Trust New Zealand
Date of review: February 2023
Platform: Android
Version: 1.055 (Note, the free version was reviewed).
Comments: Good app for those who are at the early stage of gender and sexuality affirmation. Good quality audio and reading materials. The team have worked hard and smart to create this app that makes users feel safe and validated (i.e., acknowledge their experience, feelings, emotions, etc). I acknowledge that the team has future improvement plans (e.g., choose your narrator, languages, etc). It would be good to include featuring local community support information because of power of belonging in the real world.
Safety concerns: None at this moment. The app does request for login details, pronoun, and LGBTQIA+ identities. It is mentioned that Voda keeps all entries secure with double encryption. Privacy Policy present. Emergency support included ‘Find international hotline’ where New Zealand hotline for suicide and crisis support can be found. Since it has not been marketed in New Zealand yet, queer people may feel more comfortable downloading this app without the need to hide it or be secretive about it. 
New Zealand relevance: Yes

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.

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Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.