It’s being revealed that the most intimate vulnerabilities shared by users in "private" digital counseling sessions were being packaged and sold to advertisers to target people when they were at their most emotionally fragile.

#BetterHelp #TherapyApps

Why Relying on AI as a Therapist Might Be a Mistake (And What to Use Instead) AI therapy apps seem convenient, but mental health professionals warn they can’t replace real empathy, nuance, or crisis response. Use them with caution.

Pause on using that AI for a therapist.
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“Who Profits From Your Breakdown?” “Healing has become a subscription service.”

open.substack.com/pub/austinsi...

#MentalHealth #WellnessIndustry #BetterHelp #WorkplaceBurnout #TherapyApps #CorporateWellness #SelfHelp #AIinTherapy #MentalHealthExploitation

Psychology | The Rise Of Digital Therapy: Revolution Or Scam? Is digital therapy a scam? Explore the rise of digital therapy, its benefits, controversies, and whether it's truly revolutionising mental health care.

Digital therapy is shaking up #MentalHealth care with #tech-driven ease, yet sparks #debate: #innovation or #scam? Discover if #DigitalTherapy apps offer genuine support or fall short on #accountability. #TherapyApps #DigitalCare
www.theaurorapress.co.uk/article/psyc...

Impact of Conversational and Animation Features of a #MentalHealth #App Virtual Agent on #depressive Symptoms and User Experience Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial Background: Numerous #MentalHealth #Applications (MHealth #Apps) purport to alleviate #depressive symptoms. Strong evidence suggests that brief cognitive behavioral therapy (bCBT)-based MHealth #Apps can decrease #depressive symptoms, yet there is limited research elucidating the specific features that may augment its therapeutic benefits. One potential design feature that may influence effectiveness and user experience is the inclusion of virtual agents that can mimic realistic, human face-to-face interactions. Objective: The goal of the current experiment was to determine the effect of conversational and animation features of a virtual agent within a bCBT-based MHealth #App on #depressive symptoms and user experience in college students with and without #depressive symptoms. Methods: College students (N=209) completed a two-week intervention in which they engaged with a bCBT-based MHealth #App with a customizable therapeutic virtual agent that varied in conversational and animation features. A 2 (Time: Baseline vs. Two-Week Follow-Up) x 2 (Conversational vs. Non-Conversational Agent) x 2 (Animated vs. Non-Animated Agent) randomized controlled trial was utilized to assess #MentalHealth symptoms (PHQ-8, PSS-10, and RRS questionnaires) and user experience (MAUQ questionnaire) in college students with and without current #depressive symptoms. MHealth #App usability and qualitative questions regarding users’ perceptions of their therapeutic virtual agent interactions and customization process were assessed at follow-up. Results: Mixed ANOVA results demonstrated a significant decrease in symptoms of #depression (P = .002; M = 5.50±4.86 at follow-up vs. M = 6.35±4.71 at baseline), stress (P = .005; M = 15.91±7.67 at follow-up vs. M = 17.02±6.81 at baseline), and rumination (P = .028; M = 40.42±12.96 at follow-up vs. M = 41.92±13.61 at baseline); however, no significant effect of conversation or animation was observed. Findings also indicate a significant increase in user experience in animated conditions. This significant increase in animated conditions is also reflected in the user’s ease of use and satisfaction (F(1, 201) = 102.60, P < .001), system information arrangement (F(1, 201) = 123.12, P < .001), and usefulness of the #Application (F(1, 201) = 3667.62, P < .001). Conclusions: The current experiment provides support for bCBT-based MHealth #Apps featuring customizable, humanlike therapeutic virtual agents and their ability to significantly reduce negative symptomology over a brief timeframe. The #App intervention reduced #MentalHealth symptoms, regardless of whether the agent included conversational or animation features, but animation features enhanced the user experience. These effects were observed in both users with and without #depressive symptoms. Clinical Trial: Open Science Framework B2HX5; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/B2HX5

JMIR Mental Health: Impact of Conversational and Animation Features of a #MentalHealth #App Virtual Agent on #depressive Symptoms and User Experience Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial #MentalHealth #Depression #MHealth #CBT #TherapyApps

The Use of Mobile Apps in Adolescent Psychotherapy: Assessment of Psychotherapists’ Perspectives Background: Therapy-accompanying mental health apps can play an important role in the psychotherapeutic treatment of adolescents. They can enhance adolescents’ engagement and autonomy, provide immediate support in critical situations, and positively influence the therapeutic working alliance. Nevertheless, mental health apps are rarely used by psychotherapists. Furthermore, due to the limited or nonexistent use of apps in psychotherapy, little is known about the actual barriers and drivers affecting their integration into psychotherapists’ daily routines. To better understand how mental health apps should be designed for practical use, it is essential to explore psychotherapists’ perspectives on key app features and characteristics, as well as the factors influencing their integration into clinical practice. Objective: This study aims to analyze which app features and characteristics are essential for psychotherapists to use a mobile app in psychotherapy with adolescents and to identify the key drivers and barriers influencing the integration of a psychotherapeutic app from the psychotherapists’ perspectives. Methods: We conducted 3 #feasibility studies using Steps, a transdiagnostic, therapy-accompanying app for adolescents, across 3 different psychotherapeutic treatment contexts: inpatient treatment, treatment in psychiatric outpatient clinics, and outpatient treatment with psychotherapists in private practice. All studies followed a qualitative quasi-experimental design. Participants provided information on their age, occupation, years of work experience, media affinity, attitudes toward psychotherapeutic apps, perceived app quality and #feasibility, and the implementation process of the therapy-accompanying app. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive qualitative content analysis. A total of 40 mental health professionals participated across the 3 studies (study 1: n=18; study 2: n=13; study 3: n=9). Results: Study participation and app usage rates were low across all studies. Six core features for a transdiagnostic, therapy-accompanying app were identified: mood checks, library, reminders, goals and tasks, emergency kit, and questionnaires. Additionally, the integration of mental health apps into daily routines was influenced by various drivers and barriers. The most significant barriers included technological issues and practical constraints, such as limited time and resources. The most important driver was the perceived improvement in treatment quality. Conclusions: Overall, psychotherapists were generally open to using a therapy-accompanying mental health app. However, study participation and app usage remained low. As psychotherapists act as gatekeepers for patients’ use of mental health apps, their needs should be prioritized in the development and implementation of such apps. Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00031258; https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00031258/details

JMIR Formative Res: The Use of Mobile Apps in Adolescent Psychotherapy: Assessment of Psychotherapists’ Perspectives #MentalHealth #AdolescentPsychotherapy #MobileApps #TherapyApps #Psychotherapy

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