I made a Trauma-focused Companion App :)

Apr 1
4 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

And incorporated some ACT elements in it too - check it out.

So thanks to (ahem) Vibe-coding, I made an app.

Plus the fact that I recently misplaced my apple pencil so I can't draw, my need to create was really gnawing at me.

So I made an app.

And I didn't want an app that was just your usual journalling, CBT-tracking blah blah blah.

But one that would act as an inner companion to journey with you.

And what better way to send out the message on IFS and ACT - two modalities that I firmly advocate for me and believe in.

But to make an app.

This is a "A Time to Come Home".

You see, one of my deepest beliefs are that emotions aren't problems to be solved.

They are parts of us that are to be felt, understood, acknowledged.

They may be parts of us that are triggered due to hurts from the past.

They might be parts of us that really want us to take note of what's happening in the present too.

So this app, which is grounded in approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and acceptance-based practices, is a guided journey into those parts.

A time to come home, your real home.

You.

A different way of checking in daily

Most check-in tools focus on tracking — mood scores, streaks, progress.

IFS focuses on the relationship with ourselves.

The Daily Check-In gently guides users to notice what’s present, put words to it, and explore their relationship with different parts of themselves. Instead of asking you to change how you feel, it helps you understand what that feeling might be trying to do for you.

Over time, this builds a quieter but more meaningful shift: greater awareness, less resistance, and a more compassionate internal dialogue.

When things feel overwhelming

There are moments when reflection isn’t enough — when the body feels activated, and everything speeds up.

The app includes a grounding flow inspired by acceptance and somatic practices, designed to help users steady themselves and return to the present moment.

Rather than forcing calm, it works by:

noticing what’s already here
reconnecting with the body
gently expanding space around difficult experiences

It’s less about “calming down,” and more about coming back.

Understanding your inner system or "family".

Another part of the app helps users map out their inner experiences using the lens of parts work.

From a psychological perspective, many of our reactions can be understood as different “parts” of us trying to help in their own way — even if their strategies feel unhelpful in the present.

There are actually 3 types of parts accoding to IFS

Managers - things like anxiety and perfection that show up on a daily basis to keep us in check
Firefighters - when a trigger or something threatening is happening - and our body needs to numb or "do something drastic about it"
Exiles - parts of us that we are so fearful about that we never ever want to come up - like the feeling of abandonment, or failure - which our Managers and Firefighters are trying to protect us from too.

By identifying and describing these parts, users can begin to:

Rrecognise recurring patterns
Understand protective roles
Shift from self-criticism to curiosity

Don't know your parts?

Then that's okay, because in the latest version I've built in a shortened-schema questionnarie to help you identify the most hurt parts.

According to Youngs theory, there are 18 Maladaptive Schemas in total - broken into 5 domains.

Focus only on the higher scoring ones okay?

The app also helps give you a suggestion into naming these parts too.

Of course, in IFS philosophy parts are not just limited to the ones identified here.

You can very well go on and identify whatever you feel is there.

No right and wrong here.

Only your journey inwards.

Reconnecting with what matters

Alongside understanding what’s happening internally, I wanted a values component to help you identify and reconnect with your values.

I'm a firm believer of breaking down values into three domains:

You: Who you are when no one is around
You with others: Who you are in your relationships
You in your life: How they show up in life, career, work or purpose

From a psychological standpoint, this draws on values-based work commonly used in acceptance and commitment approaches — helping people orient not just away from discomfort, but towards what matters.

I'd recommend a weekly check in on this!

A quieter kind of experience

Across all features, I wanted a design that intentionally avoids:

performance tracking
gamification
pressure to improve

Instead, I just wanted to build an app around presence and gentle attention.

BUT, with two key differences because these are important needs.

The need to reward yourself for the inner work you've done.

This is where Kaya's corner comes in - as you keep reflecting, more warmth is added! And you can grow along with Kaya too.
The need for connection and support.

So that's where the latest community channel comes in - share your reflections there. Let's support each other.