About · SofterLoop

What it is

SofterLoop is a set of small, private exercises inspired by established psychological skills: prediction testing and behavioural experiments, cognitive defusion, acting on values, implementation intentions, affect labeling, self-distancing, compassionate responding, worry postponement, and urge surfing. The interface and wording are original; it does not reproduce a particular book’s worksheets or chapters.

What the tools actually do

Worry and the future

Prediction check compares a forecast with what later happened. What-if path makes feared chains visible. Not now helps a user choose a small action or leave a worry for a chosen review time. Worry postponement findings are mixed, so the tool is presented as an experiment in attention—not a cure.

Repeating thoughts and self-talk

Thought unhook uses defusion and an optional observer view. Voice lab changes how a thought is heard. A fairer voice places harsh self-talk beside a more accurate and useful response; it does not require forced positivity.

Movement, feelings, and urges

Next small step combines a tiny startable action with an optional if–then plan. Name what is here labels an emotion, body area, and intensity. Ride the urge observes an everyday urge for 90 seconds; its aim is creating a pause before action, not guaranteeing the urge will disappear.

Returning images

Image distance lab changes an image’s presentation—such as size, colour, texture, and markings. It is experimental and is not presented as therapist-led imagery rescripting or trauma treatment.

What it is not

It is not therapy, diagnosis, medical advice, emergency support, or a substitute for a qualified mental health professional. The underlying ideas have research histories; SofterLoop itself has not been evaluated in a clinical trial. Feeling worse after an exercise is not evidence that a user should push harder.

Deliberate safety boundaries

SofterLoop does not generate self-guided ERP hierarchies, prescribe exposure, or provide a trauma-processing programme. The urge tool is not for self-harm, harming another person, overdose, severe withdrawal, or a medical crisis. Repeatedly using any tool to obtain certainty or reassurance can also become unhelpful.

Evidence notes

The project’s language is intentionally cautious. A research-supported underlying skill does not automatically make this exact digital interface clinically proven.