Double Header - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Business and Mental Health Apps on the Market

Part One: Performance; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Is It Time to Offer this to our Colleagues?

In recent years, mental health has rightly gained increasing recognition as a critical component of overall wellbeing, particularly in the workplace. Among various therapeutic approaches, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has emerged as a highly effective method for addressing a range of psychological issues. As an advocate and user of CBT I will introduce the potential benefits of offering CBT to all colleagues in the workplace, examining examples of companies that have successfully implemented such initiatives and discussing the implications for employee wellbeing and productivity.

Understanding Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is a structured, time limited psychotherapy that focuses on the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. By identifying negative thought patterns and challenging them, individuals can change their emotional responses and behaviours, leading to improved mental health. CBT has been shown to be effective for various conditions, including anxiety, depression, and stress related disorders, which are prevalent in high pressure work environments.

The Case for Offering CBT in the Workplace

1. Enhanced Employee Wellbeing: Providing access to CBT can significantly improve colleagues' mental health. By equipping them with tools to manage stress and anxiety, companies can contribute to a healthier workforce. This not only benefits the individual but also fosters a supportive organisational culture.?

2. Increased Productivity: Mental health issues often lead to decreased productivity, absenteeism, and increased staff turnover. By addressing these issues proactively through CBT, organisations can enhance employee engagement and overall performance. Research has demonstrated that colleagues who receive mental health support are more productive and have lower rates of absenteeism.?

3. Reduction in Stigma: Offering CBT as a standard benefit can help normalise conversations around mental health, reducing stigma. When organisations openly support mental health initiatives, colleagues may feel more comfortable seeking help, leading to a healthier work environment.

Examples of Companies Implementing CBT

Several companies have recognised the value of mental health support and have integrated CBT into their employee wellbeing programmes.

- Google is known for its progressive workplace culture, Google has implemented various mental health initiatives, including access to counselling and CBT workshops. The company emphasizes the importance of mental wellbeing and provides resources for colleagues to develop coping strategies.

?- SAP has introduced a comprehensive mental health programme that includes CBT resources. Their approach focuses on early intervention and providing colleagues with the necessary tools to manage their mental health proactively.

?Unilever offers a range of mental health resources, including CBT, as part of its employee assistance programme.

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Implementing CBT

?1. Assessment and Goal Setting

The first step in any CBT programme involves assessing the current landscape of employee mental health and identifying specific needs. This can be achieved through surveys, interviews, and observational studies to understand the existing challenges and stressors faced by colleagues. Once the assessment is complete, it is crucial to collaboratively set clear, achievable goals. These goals might range from reducing workplace anxiety to improving communication skills among team members. Goal setting is a foundational component of CBT, as it provides a roadmap for both the individuals and the organisation to follow.

2. Cognitive Restructuring

Cognitive restructuring is a core element of CBT that focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns. In a business context, colleagues may experience self-doubt, anxiety, or stress that can hinder their performance. A CBT programme can incorporate workshops or seminars where colleagues learn to recognise cognitive distortions, such as calamity thinking or all or nothing thinking. By teaching colleagues to reframe their thoughts and adopt a more balanced perspective, organisations can foster a more positive work environment and enhance overall colleague morale.

3. Skill Development

CBT emphasizes the development of practical skills that individuals can use to cope with stress and improve their emotional regulation. In a business setting, this can include training in problem solving, time management, and succinct/effective communication. Workshops can be designed to provide colleagues with tools to manage work-related stressors, enhance their interpersonal skills, and improve team collaboration. Skill development not only empowers colleagues but also contributes to a more cohesive and productive workplace.

4. Behavioural Activation

Behavioural activation is another vital component of CBT that focuses on encouraging individuals to engage in activities that promote a sense of accomplishment and joy. In a business environment, this might involve creating opportunities for team building activities, recognition programmes, or wellness initiatives that encourage physical activity and social interaction. By fostering a culture of engagement and motivation, organisations can combat feelings of isolation and burnout, which are prevalent in high performance businesses.

Summarising

CBT is a relatively new technique being used in organisations. It offers us all a tremendous opportunity to enhance human performance. It allows individuals to understand and feel important, valued and wanted. I encourage all leaders to investigate its suitability in your respective organisations.

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Part Two: The Best Mental Health Apps on the Market

The rise of technology has created new ways to address mental health. These apps have gained popularity as a convenient, accessible, and affordable solution for people seeking support. These apps offer resources ranging from therapy, meditation, journaling, and mood tracking to professional counselling. Below, I summarise arguably some of the best mental health apps currently available on the market and how they are transforming mental wellbeing for individuals.

1. Headspace – Mindfulness and Meditation

Headspace is one of the most popular meditation apps designed to improve mental health through mindfulness. The app provides guided meditation sessions that cater to both beginners and advanced users. It covers a range of topics including stress management, anxiety, sleep, and productivity. With its focus on mindfulness, Headspace helps users develop emotional resilience, reduce anxiety, and improve focus.

?The app offers short meditation sessions that fit into even the busiest schedules, making it accessible for everyone. One of its key features is the “Sleep Stories,” which helps users unwind and sleep better, addressing a critical component of mental well-being. With its scientific backing and engaging design, Headspace stands out as one of the best apps for mental health, especially for those interested in improving mindfulness.

2. Thrive – the NHS Approved App

Thrive, a UK business founded by clinicians, stands alone in targeting the unwell population in the workforce. It’s app allows the well to practice mindfulness, sleep better, access CBT and digital therapy etc. The real power of the Thrive service lies in its ability to identify and engage with the unwell, guiding them to safety and where required providing an uncapped Therapy service with an 87% recovery rate

16% of employees in the workforce face mental health challenges at any one time. Thrive focuses on engaging with those people, allowing confidential and anonymous access. For those whom the clinical scales in the App determine as unwell, Thrive reaches out with a therapist in near real time to manage that situation, arrange a full assessment and if required an uncapped course of therapy.

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3. BetterHelp – Online Therapy

BetterHelp is a therapy-based mental health app that connects users with licensed therapists via text, phone, or video calls. Its affordability and accessibility make therapy available to a broader audience compared to traditional therapy sessions, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Users can select therapists based on their preferences and communicate with them at their convenience, eliminating the barriers of scheduling and location.

The app’s wide range of professionals offers expertise in different areas, from depression and anxiety to grief counselling and relationship issues. BetterHelp also allows users to change therapists if they do not feel a good connection, ensuring a more personalised and effective treatment plan. For those seeking affordable, flexible, and confidential therapy, BetterHelp is a leading choice.

4. Calm – Stress and Sleep Management

Calm is another highly popular meditation and mental health app, with a special focus on stress reduction and sleep enhancement. The app offers a broad selection of mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, and sleep stories to help users manage anxiety and improve their overall mental health. Like Headspace, Calm provides guided meditations, but it also features soothing music and nature sounds that enhance relaxation and sleep quality.

One of Calm’s standout features is the “Daily Calm,” a 10-minute meditation designed to help users reset and refocus each day. Its intuitive design and aesthetically pleasing interface, combined with tools like the “Breathe Bubble” for calming breathing exercises, make it particularly effective for people dealing with stress, insomnia, or restlessness.

5. Moodpath – Mental Health Tracking

Moodpath is an app designed to help users track their mood and mental health over time. It provides a structured way to check in with emotions, thoughts, and physical well-being, helping users become more aware of their mental health patterns. The app offers regular mental health assessments and provides users with information about potential mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

By tracking daily feelings and behaviours, Moodpath generates insights that can help individuals recognize triggers or patterns affecting their mental state. This data is invaluable for those seeking therapy or clinical treatment, as it allows them to present a more detailed picture to mental health professionals. Moodpath also provides educational content and exercises to help users understand their emotions and develop coping mechanisms.

6. Talkspace – Therapy on Your Terms

Similar to BetterHelp, Talkspace is an online therapy app that allows users to connect with licensed therapists through text, voice, and video. One of Talkspace’s major advantages is its flexibility, as users can message therapists at any time and receive feedback based on their schedule. This flexibility is particularly helpful for those with busy lives who cannot commit to regular in-person therapy sessions.

Talkspace offers therapy for a wide variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship problems. With multiple subscription plans, Talkspace provides an affordable alternative to traditional therapy, making mental health care more accessible. The platform also offers therapy specifically tailored for couples, adolescents, and even businesses looking to support employees’ mental health.

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7. Sanvello – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Support

Sanvello is an app that integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and mood tracking to help users manage stress, anxiety, and depression. The app includes daily mood tracking, guided journeys based on CBT techniques, and self-care tools. Sanvello is particularly effective for users interested in learning and applying evidence-based methods to improve their mental health.

Users can work through structured courses designed to tackle anxiety and stress, and the app’s meditation and journaling features further reinforce emotional well-being. What sets Sanvello apart is its insurance integration, allowing some users to access the app for free through their health provider. Sanvello’s comprehensive approach and focus on CBT make it a valuable tool for those looking to gain practical skills to manage their mental health.

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8. Happify – Positive Psychology and Gamification

Happify uses a unique approach to mental health by combining positive psychology with gamification. It aims to improve users’ mental well-being through scientifically designed activities and games that boost mood, reduce stress, and build emotional resilience. Happify’s method is based on the concept that happiness is a skill that can be cultivated with practice.

The app features interactive activities that engage users in a fun and rewarding way, while also teaching them coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills. Happify’s focus on positivity and emotional well-being makes it a great app for people looking for a more light-hearted, yet effective, approach to managing stress and anxiety.

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Summarising?

Mental health apps are revolutionising the way individuals approach their mental well-being by providing accessible, affordable, and effective tools for self-care. Whether through mindfulness with Headspace and Calm, therapy with Thrive, BetterHelp and Talkspace, or mood tracking with Moodpath, these apps offer various options tailored to different needs. As mental health awareness continues to grow, these apps play a crucial role in making mental health care more inclusive and convenient. By empowering users to take control of their mental health, they are transforming lives and breaking down the barriers that once prevented many from seeking help.

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