List of “tch” words for speech-language pathologists
Summary
Learn how biometric therapy monitoring can help therapists and clients connect physical responses with mental health patterns through wearable data.
Explore how wearable technology in practice can support goals like stress management, anxiety reduction, improved sleep, and emotional regulation.
Understand the benefits and potential challenges of using biometric wearables, including privacy concerns, cost barriers, and client readiness.
Discover best practices for choosing devices, discussing data with clients, and using insights to support—not replace—the therapeutic process.
Biometric wearables are devices that track different physiological markers, like heart rate, blood oxygen, daily steps, and sleep data. And while many people associate them with physical health, integrating wearable technology into therapy can provide serious mental health benefits as well.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about wearable technology in practice, including the potential pros and cons, when it makes sense to incorporate biometric wearables into the therapeutic process (and when it might not), and best practices for using this technology in biometric therapy monitoring.
What are the benefits of incorporating wearable technology in therapy?
Wearables are becoming increasingly popular in the therapy space—and for good reason.“Wearable technology affords numerous benefits when utilized as part of therapy,” says Matt Glowiak, PhD, LCPC, CAADC, licensed counselor and chief addiction specialist with Recovered.org, an organization that provides information and resources for mental health and addiction treatment.
So, what kind of benefits can wearables bring to the therapeutic process?
Helping link the physical and mental
Wearables allow clients to more directly link their physical and mental or emotional experiences. This type of biometric therapy monitoring can give therapists and clients a clearer picture of how physical responses connect to thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This can be helpful in a variety of ways, like more effectively treating depression and anxiety or helping clients identify and address the physical metrics that may be contributing to their mental health challenges (like sleep).
“These devices offer real-time biometric feedback that can help clients connect the dots between their mental and physical states, making abstract concepts like stress or emotional dysregulation more tangible,” says Glowiak—and once the connection is tangible, the path towards addressing those mental states also becomes more tangible.
For example, if biometric data finds a direct correlation with daytime anxiety and nighttime insomnia, as a therapist, you can steer therapy towards more anxiety management techniques—and because the client can clearly see how their anxiety is impacting their sleep, they may be more incentivized to use those techniques between sessions.
Offering a tangible way to monitor progress
Wearables can also be a helpful tool for monitoring the impact of different therapeutic practices. “Wearable technology…can help clients visualize progress,” says Amanda Ferrara, LMFT, program therapist at Ocean Recovery.
For example, let’s say you have a client that’s struggling with severe anxiety. Each week, you could introduce another anxiety management tool (like breathing exercises)—then monitor the impact those exercises had on their biometrics.
This biometric monitoring allows the client to actually see, in a tangible way, the impact therapy is having not only on their mental state, but on their physiological responses. And the more progress the client sees, the more likely they are to continue using the therapeutic tools supporting that progress and keep their anxiety at bay.
Delivering feedback that reminds and reinforces therapeutic tools
Finally, many wearables can provide direct feedback based on specific biometric markers (for example, a vibration when the heart rate starts to escalate)—which can remind clients to use their therapeutic tools and strategies when their body starts to transition into a state of stress or overwhelm.
“Some individuals find that receiving a gentle vibration from their watch is a reminder to take a deep breath and become grounded while they are experiencing stressful situations,” says Kaila Hattis, LMFT, founder and therapist at Santa Cruz, CA-based Pacific Coast Therapy.
What are the potential challenges of wearable technology in therapy practice—and how can therapists address them?
While wearables can offer serious therapeutic benefits, they come with their own set of challenges. But the good news? Many of these challenges can be overcome with the right strategy.
Let’s take a look at two of the biggest hurdles of incorporating wearables into therapy—and, just as importantly, how to address them:
Privacy concerns
For some, privacy concerns can be a significant deterrent for wearables in practice.
“These devices collect sensitive biometric data—heart rate, sleep patterns, stress levels, and even location—which, if mishandled, could compromise client confidentiality,” says Glowiak. As biometric therapy monitoring becomes more common, therapists need to be especially mindful of how they collect, store, and discuss client data.
“Many wearables sync with cloud-based platforms, and not all are HIPAA-compliant,” says Glowiak. Even if you take every step possible to protect your patient’s sensitive information, if the wearable platform isn’t HIPAA-compliant, that data could still be at risk.
But as a therapist, you can address these privacy issues by going the extra mile to not only protect your client’s information, but to make sure they’re comfortable with how and where their data is going to be used.
“Therapists should review each device's privacy policy, obtain informed consent, and discuss with clients who has access to the data,” says Ferrara. “Protecting confidentiality must remain central to ethical practice when incorporating technology.”
Cost barriers
For some, the cost of wearables can also be a barrier. Many of the wearables on the market come with a high price tag that some clients may not be willing or able to cover.
But the good news? If wearable technology cost barriers are a concern for your clients, there are potential ways to make wearables more affordable.
Explore lower-cost options. While many wearables are on the pricier side, there certainly are more affordable options—and if you do your research, chances are you’ll find a wearable that delivers many of the same therapeutic benefits you want at a price point your clients can afford. “Therapists can recommend budget-friendly options,” says Glowiak. Many fall in the $50 to $60 range.
Buy secondhand. Another option to help make wearables more affordable for your clients is suggesting they hit the secondhand market. “For those who are set on purchasing some of the more expensive devices offering more features but are concerned with cost, purchasing gently used or certified pre-owned versions is a great option,” says Glowiak. “Each year, as new devices become available on the shelves, many people trade in their old device to upgrade at a reduced cost.”
Use biometric apps. If there just isn’t a wearable with a price point that works for your client, exploring no or low-cost biometric apps could deliver many of the same benefits. “Smartphone apps with biometric features can be a great starting point for clients with limited resources,” says Glowiak.
Consider third-party programs. Depending on your client’s circumstances, they may be able to subsidize the cost of a wearable biometric device through a third-party program or partnership. “Currently, a variety of managed care organizations ([like] insurance) offer free or reduced-cost devices as part of their healthy living incentive programs,” says Glowiak. “Some employers even offer these devices as part of team wellness initiatives.”
When does it make sense to recommend wearables as a part of therapy—and when does it not?
Clearly, wearable technology in therapy can offer benefits—and any potential downsides can often be addressed and overcome. But that doesn’t mean that wearables are universally beneficial—and as a therapist, it’s important to understand when to recommend wearables to clients and when it might not.
Incorporating wearable technology into therapy typically makes sense when:
There’s a baseline of trust between client and therapist. As mentioned, the privacy concerns that come with wearable technology can be an issue for some clients. That’s why it’s important to establish a baseline of trust with the client before you recommend incorporating wearables into their therapy. “I also wait until the client has some trust established…before introducing devices into treatment,” says Hattis. “I don't immediately give a client a device. Instead, I will discuss privacy issues with the client regarding what data will be reviewed and why the data is important.”
The data is useful. Biometric data is more useful in some situations vs. others—and as a therapist, it only makes sense to recommend incorporating wearable technology into practice when the data will actually help the client address their therapeutic goals. “I recommend incorporating wearable technology into mental health and addiction therapy when clients are working toward goals that benefit from increased self-awareness—such as managing anxiety, improving sleep, regulating emotions, or tracking physical responses to stress,” says Glowiak.
The client is interested and willing. Using wearables requires a certain level of commitment from the client. So before you recommend wearables to a client, it’s important to gauge how interested they are in the idea of incorporating wearables into therapy—and how willing they are to regularly wear the device and explore the data it provides.
On the other hand, it may not make sense to recommend wearables when:
The client is tech-averse. Not all clients are tech enthusiasts—and if you have a client that’s particularly tech averse, incorporating wearables into therapy probably isn’t the right move. “In the spirit of meeting clients where they are, it’s important that the counselor and client are on the same page here,” says Glowiak. “Some people simply do not care for modern technology, and that’s okay. This should always be respected.”
The client may fixate on the data in an unhealthy way. While biometrics can support the therapeutic process, for some clients, wearables can be more harmful than helpful—particularly if you suspect the client may overly fixate on the data. “I tend to avoid recommending wearables to clients who become too obsessed with tracking, as well as to those that have an eating disorder or insomnia,” says Hattis. “The problem is that the client may become more fixated on control or numbers than they would be without them.”
The client’s diagnosis isn’t the right fit. Similarly, a client’s diagnosis or mental health condition could also contribute to wearables doing more harm than good. “The diagnosis also matters,” says Glowiak. “For example, if one is working with a client diagnosed along the schizophrenia spectrum, symptomology around paranoia and delusions of grandeur may lead to one believing that the wearable is more so intended to harm than help, as people could be ‘spying’ on them.”
Bottom line? As a therapist, it’s important to assess each situation individually—and to only recommend wearables when it can truly benefit the client and the therapy process.
Wearables for biometric therapy monitoring: Best practices for therapists
Considering incorporating wearable technology into your therapy practice? Here are a few best practices to keep in mind:
Highlight how the wearable can support the client
If you’re going to introduce a wearable into therapy, it’s important to open a dialogue with your client—and explain exactly how the device (and the data it provides) can support them in therapy.
“Start by discussing how biometric feedback—like heart rate, sleep, or stress levels—can support the client’s goals,” says Glowiak. “The key is to keep the process empowering, transparent, and aligned with the therapeutic journey.”
Choose the right device
Not all wearables are created equal—and if you’re going to use wearables in your therapy practice, you want to make sure whatever device you choose is monitoring metrics that have real therapeutic potential.
“The goal isn’t just data collection; it’s using that data to deepen self-awareness and reinforce therapeutic strategies in real time,” says Glowiak. “Accordingly, [these wearables] offer tangible metrics that align with mental health outcomes and can help clients visualize progress.”
So, what metrics are most helpful from a therapeutic standpoint?
“Devices that monitor stress indicators, sleep cycles, and physiological arousal tend to be the most beneficial,” says Ferrara.
For example, “from a therapeutic perspective, I find devices like the Apple Watch, Fitbit Inspire 3, and WHOOP particularly useful because they offer reliable tracking of key metrics—heart rate variability, sleep patterns, and stress levels—that directly correlate with mental health and addiction recovery,” says Glowiak.
In addition, it’s important to consider your client’s wants and needs when choosing a device. “Choose a device together that fits their comfort and budget while ensuring they understand how the data will be used,” says Glowiak. “This is a critical component of informed consent.”
Integrate findings into therapy
Wearable devices can provide all sorts of biometric insights. But those insights only have therapeutic value if you interpret, discuss, and explore them during therapy—and use them as a way to help clients make meaningful change.
“Use biometric data as a springboard for discussion,” says Glowiak. “For example, elevated heart rate during certain times may signal anxiety triggers. This opens the door to cognitive restructuring, mindfulness training, or behavioral adjustments tailored to the client’s lived experience.”
View biometrics as a single piece of a larger puzzle
How you interpret wearable device data is an important part of how much that data ultimately supports the client’s therapeutic process. As a therapist, it’s important to not weigh biometrics too heavily—and instead, to look at the data as one piece of a larger puzzle.
“Remember that anything collected insofar as biometric data is only one part of the equation,” says Glowiak. “Given the power of the mind-body-spirit connection that makes each of us whole, it is imperative that we consider how data attained in this respect ties into the bigger picture. It would be less than efficient, or even in some cases harmful, to only consider biometric data here.”
“The goal is to use the information as a bridge between physical states and psychological awareness rather than treating it as a clinical measurement,” says Ferrara.
Pull back if and when necessary
If and when you do introduce wearable technology into practice, it’s important to continually check in with your client—and take a step back from biometrics if and when necessary.
“Tech fatigue is real, especially when clients feel overwhelmed by constant tracking or digital engagement,” says Glowiak. “When I notice signs of burnout—like avoidance, anxiety, or frustration—I encourage clients to take a step back and reassess. Sometimes that means pausing use of the device, switching to a simpler tool, or setting boundaries around when and how data is reviewed.”
“The goal is to make technology feel supportive, not burdensome,” Glowiak continues. “Therapy should always prioritize the client’s comfort and autonomy, even when integrating innovative tools.”
When used thoughtfully, biometric therapy monitoring can help bridge the gap between physical awareness and emotional insight, giving clients another tool to better understand and manage their mental health.
Sources
Ahmed, A., Aziz, S., Alzubaidi, M, Schneider, J., Irshaidat, S., et al. (2023). Wearable devices for anxiety & depression: A scoping review. Comput Methods Programs Biomed Update. 2023;3:100095. doi: 10.1016/j.cmpbup.2023.100095. Epub 2023 Jan 30. PMID: 36743720; PMCID: PMC9884643.
Berryhill, S., Morton, C.J., Dean, A., Berryhill, A., Provencio-Dean, N., et al. (2020). Effect of wearables on sleep in healthy individuals: a randomized crossover trial and validation study. J Clin Sleep Med.
Borghare, P.T., Methwani, D.A. & Pathade, A.G. (2024). A comprehensive review on harnessing wearable technology for enhanced depression treatment. Cureus.
Del-Valle-Soto, C., Briseño, R.A., Valdivia, L.J. & Nolazco-Flores, J.A. (2024). Unveiling wearables: exploring the global landscape of biometric applications and vital signs and behavioral impact. BioData Min..
Ferrara, A. (2026). Personal interview.
Glowiak, M. (2026). Personal interview.
Hattis, K. (2026). Personal interview.
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