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Is Self-Guided, Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Actually Effective?

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You can find a selection of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy based apps in the app stores these days, but can mobile phone apps really provide effective therapy? Scientists in a 2017 meta-analysis say yes, but with a few caveats.  Photo by Markus Winkler . A smartphone rests on a wooden table. On the smartphone is a single large "thinking " emoji face. TL;DR : This article touches on some of the risks and benefits of utilizing self-guided, internet-based CBT. We review the results of a 2017 meta-analysis (study of studies) by Karyotaki et al., which investigated the question of whether or not internet-based CBT (iCBT) is effective. The results show that iCBT can work to reduce the number of depressive symptoms and the severity of those symptoms. This article also touches on caveats and where this study falls short in its ability to interpret the data or any causal links between iCBT and improving mental health. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based framework for helpi
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How to organize a scatterbrain - part two

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Photo by Nick Raniga In Douglas Adam's brilliant book The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, a great computer called Deep Thought spends seven and a half million years computing the answer to "life, the universe and everything". The answer, it declares, is 42. The computer then recommends that an even greater computer be constructed so that they may work out what the question actually is. I have now spent just over a year researching, developing and dogfooding the tool I call ZealPad and I'm delighted to report that it works! But what problem is it actually trying to solve, you might ask. Coming up with a clear and concise answer to that question, dear reader, is my current challenge. This is the second part of a blog post that I published back in January How to organize a scatterbrain - part one where I describe the shortcomings of existing productivity tools especially where there are executive skill weaknesses. In this post I hope to explain how ZealPad address
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Is your mental health app backed by science?

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  Is your mental health app backed by science?  Photo by Sarah Gualtieri via Unsplash.com When choosing a mobile app to help you in your mental health journey, look for features and design choices that are supported by scientific evidence. In this blog post, you will read about which mental health app features are common in apps according to a 2017 meta-analysis study, some of which are backed by scientific evidence. You will know which features are supported by science and which need further studies. Look for an app that uses data-driven design and contains evidence-based activities that improve mental health. Use an app in conjunction with a licensed therapist to get the most out of your mental health journey. After reading this blog post, you will be able to make evidence-based and informed decisions about the apps you choose and trust with their mental health. We looked at a meta-analysis that identified common features in mental health apps across 45 research articles and here is
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