Your therapist mentioned Nudge. Here is what it is.
Nudge is a short daily check-in from your therapist's office. It arrives as a text message or email, takes a couple of minutes, and helps your therapist support you between appointments.
Four things to know
It is short
Most Nudges take two to three minutes. A quick question about how you are doing, or a brief exercise your therapist chose for you.
No app, no password
Nudges arrive as a text message or email with a link. Tap the link and you are in. There is nothing to install.
Your therapist sees it
Your answers go only to your therapist and their care team. They review them and bring what matters into your next session.
Covered by Medicare
This is a recognized medical service called remote therapeutic monitoring. Medicare and many insurance plans cover it. Your therapist's office can tell you about any cost.
What a typical day looks like
No app to download. No password to remember. Just a link.
A message arrives
At the time you and your therapist agreed on, you get a text or email that says a Nudge is ready.
Tap the link
It opens in your phone's web browser. No app, no login, no code to type.
Answer or practice
A short question about your day, or a brief exercise like slow breathing. Two to three minutes.
That is it
Close it and get on with your day. If you miss one, nothing bad happens. The next one still comes.
Your therapist reviews
Each week your therapist looks at how things went and uses it to make your next session count.
The kinds of things a Nudge asks
Each Nudge is written by your therapist's office. Most are one of these.
A check-in
How stressed do you feel today? How did you sleep? One or two taps.
A breathing exercise
A guided minute of slow breathing, with the screen showing you when to breathe in and out.
A grounding exercise
Notice five things you can see, four you can hear, and so on. A steadying habit for anxious moments.
A reminder of a skill
Something you worked on in session, brought back at a moment you can actually use it.
A reflection
One thing that went well today. A sentence or two, or just a tap.
Questions people ask
Does it cost me anything?
Remote therapeutic monitoring is covered by Medicare and many insurance plans. Your therapist's office bills it the same way they bill your sessions. If you have a question about your specific plan, ask them.
Do I need to download an app?
No. Every Nudge is a link in a text message or email. It opens in the web browser your phone already has.
Do I need a password?
No. Tapping the link is enough. When you first sign up, you will get a one-time code by text or email to confirm it is you. After that, just tap the link.
How long does it take?
Usually two to three minutes. Some exercises are a little longer, and you can always stop partway.
Who sees my answers?
Your therapist and the care team at their practice. Nobody else. Your information is protected the same way your medical records are.
Is this instead of seeing my therapist?
No. Nudge supports the work you do in your sessions. It is not therapy on its own, and it does not replace your appointments.
What if I miss a day?
Nothing happens. Answer it later, or skip it. Your therapist is looking at the overall picture, not counting missed days against you.
Can I change the time it arrives?
Yes. Tell your therapist's office and they can arrange it. If mornings are not right for you, evenings are fine.
Can I stop?
Any time. Tell your therapist, reply STOP to any text message, or use the link at the bottom of any email. There is no penalty.
What is Nudge, the company?
Nudge builds the software your therapist's practice uses to send these check-ins. Your relationship is with your therapist. Nudge never sells anything to you and never contacts you for any other reason.
Still have a question? Ask your therapist.
Your therapist's office decides what your Nudges say and when they arrive. They can change the time, pause it, or stop it whenever you like.