Voda 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.

Clinical 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

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