Bas Oppenheim

I develop humane, responsible software.

My focus is on (mental) health software that benefits people in how they think, feel, and function. With a background in both psychology and philosophy, I pay particular attention to:

• Designing with care for high-stakes contexts;
• Grounding decisions in scientific research and relevant expertise;
• Building with contemporary, platform-appropriate technologies.

My work

I work at the intersection of mental health, ethics, and technology. In much of this practice, ethical, scientific, and technical factors are treated as constraints after a concept has already been defined. In my work, they are part of the conceptual design itself: they inspire, shape, and constrain the concept from the beginning. This approach leads to software that is both responsible and innovative.

I am personally responsible for the conceptual, content-related, and technical aspects of the following projects:

The EMDR App

The EMDR app generates bilateral and other forms of stimulation commonly used in EMDR therapy, which is an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The app is grounded in scientific research and developed in collaboration with licensed therapists, with its scope explicitly bounded by clinical and ethical considerations.

It is used during therapeutic sessions, both in-person and online, and can, on the recommendation of the therapist, also be used by clients between sessions.

Beyond its clinical grounding, the EMDR app stands out through several technical and design choices:

• Native, platform-specific experiences across Apple platforms, from Mac to Apple Watch;
• Availability of an optimized version on Apple Vision Pro from the platform’s first day;
• The ability to control the EMDR app on nearby devices without an internet connection;
• Support for bilateral vibration using generic hardware, such as Nintendo Joy-Cons.

Additional projects I designed and developed also demonstrate the same principles, in different contexts and at different scales:

Thought Records

An app for reframing stressful situations by systematically analyzing the thoughts that arise. Based on techniques from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Designed with privacy as a core principle, with support for synchronization across devices.

Our Focus

A Pomodoro timer that combines individual focus time with a sense of community, informed by established motivation theory. Optimized for people who struggle with getting started.

You can find more about my apps at Apps for the Living.

If you’d like to know more or want to get in touch, feel free to contact me.