CBT AppIntroducing
By Michelle Robson
Sophia Amber Aitchison
Student Wellbeing Service
BACKGROUND As a university we are committed to the health and wellbeing of its students.
The Student Wellbeing Team (SWS) are constantly trying to increase the accessibility of the service and foster relations with academic units.
This pilot project enabled us to develop effective technology to assist and compliment the ongoing work of SWS. It was also a way of building a relationship with the department of computer science in a way that had not been done before.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a therapy of choice for many common mental health difficulties experienced by students. SWS currently provide 1:1 , Computerised and group therapy using CBT.
OFCOM identified that 92% of adults in the UK own / use a mobile phone (2012 figures). Likelihood that this % higher in student population.
Proposal would see CBT techniques become more easily available to students via their mobile devices in the form of an APP.
Enable students to access evidence based techniques at a time when they most need them, enabling them to continue with studies.
Cognitive Restructuring
The pilot focused on the CBT Technique; Cognitive restructuring.
APP would look at ways of challenging negative cognitions in the “here and now” .
Computer Team
Daniel JamiesonDavid EastonPatrick McCorry
Along the way we had a lot of help…
Who was involved along the way?
The Computing Science department
Made sure the team had all the resources we needed to work
at our best.
The TherapistGave us invaluable help on
getting accurate CBT methods in the app.
The Students Gave us important feedback to make it more accessible to our
target audience.
Physical work sheet
Client is given a document to fill in during their free time
About the CBT App
So how does this app benefit others?
Why was it required?
Improve the support available to clients
To solve many problems in one…
Allow students to record their thoughts at any time and place
Improve communication between students and therapist
The new method
• Users can record important events at any time or place – as it is instantly accessible on their smartphone
• Users can record as many records as they like, and access them wherever they are
• Able to transfer their records to a therapist during meeting
Outcomes
• New relationship between Comp Sci & Wellbeing service,
• Application works!
• New skills for the developers involved,
• Future expansion is possible (e.g. analyse records and prompt better thought challenges)
Questions?
Thank you very much for listening!