Unlocking Digital: A Practical Guide for Clinicians

Digital Mental Health treatment programs are a game-changer for your patients?by providing evidence-based, accessible treatment options for anxiety and depression to complement the quality care they receive under your guidance.

Integrating?THIS WAY UP?into your practice can expand your therapeutic reach, improve patient outcomes, and reduce waitlists. Whether you use it as a preparation tool, standalone treatment, or an?adjunct to face-to-face, telehealth or pharmacological interventions, evidence-based digital mental health treatments offer?flexibility and accessibility for both patients and clinicians.

The evidence shows that iCBT (Internet-based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy) can be as effective as face-to-face CBT in the treatment of depression and anxiety.?The accessible nature of these programs allows patients to receive quality care, especially those who face barriers to services, like distance, cost, or stigma.

Flexible applications of THIS WAY UP's treatment programs:? ?

???Pre-Therapy Preparation: Use iCBT before starting in-person sessions to familiarise clients?with CBT concepts. This approach helps patients set realistic expectations and increases readiness for in-person CBT.?

???Standalone Intervention: For patients with anxiety and/or depression, iCBT can be a powerful intervention, either guided by you or as a purely self-paced program, depending on their needs. Clinician supervision can enhance engagement and adherence.?

?? Adjunct to Face-to-Face and/or Telehealth Therapy: Blend iCBT with your sessions to reinforce key concepts, allowing you to dedicate more time to complex therapeutic work. Patients can practice skills between sessions, helping them to generalise skills outside of the therapy room and into their daily lives.

???Relapse Prevention: After face-to-face therapy, iCBT can be an ongoing support tool - part of a proactive relapse prevention plan.?

Overcoming Barriers: Practical Tips for Clinicians

1. Start Small: Introduce iCBT to a few patients first, particularly those who are motivated and ready to learn new skills.

2. Customise Your Approach: Through a collaborative discussion that prioritises your patient’s needs, decide whether to supervise your patient’s iCBT journey, or to refer them to a self-guided program with THIS WAY UP.

3. Peer Supervision & Support: Seek advice from colleagues who already use iCBT, or explore available training resources (such as our iCBT Foundations Program). Familiarising yourself with the program content can boost your confidence.

You can explore our free resources on our Clinician Hub and get started today.