Mindler’s blended treatment model
At Mindler, we utilise blended treatment. Blended treatment is the combination of online appointments with a Mindler psychologist and working through interactive iCBT programmes in between sessions.
Online appointments and the iCBT programmes are both carried out in the Mindler app, which can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
We have various programmes that are tailored to different presentations, these become available after you have attended your first appointment with a psychologist or if you don’t feel ready to speak to anyone just yet and would prefer to start working on the programmes on your own you can pay for access to solely the self-help programmes.
These programmes can therefore either be completed independently, or with the support of a psychologist.
What is Internet CBT (iCBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a practical, effective, and popular form of talk therapy. There is strong scientific evidence that CBT can alleviate or cure many of the most common psychiatric diagnoses. Traditional CBT is based on the patient and the therapist meeting regularly, face to face. But such an arrangement does not work for everyone. Therefore, some patient groups have been forced to refrain from treatment, even though they have really needed help.
Nevertheless, modern technology has changed the rules of the game. Today, more people than ever can access psychotherapy, thanks to smartphone and internet-based solutions. A variation of this approach, that has become widespread, is called internet CBT (iCBT).
CBT in brief
The core of ICBT is of course CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy. Most CBT treatments – whether they are face-to-face or online – begin with the therapist and patient working together to identify the causes of the symptoms. CBT suggests that our thoughts, behaviours, emotions, and physical symptoms are all linked. The patient and therapist work towards identifying what is contributing to the presenting problem and then collaborating on ways in which to change this, whether it is changing detrimental thinking patterns or adverse behaviours.
It is important in CBT for the patient to actively participate in treatment and completing so called homework, which may involve tasks that the patient may do outside of sessions.
Different forms of ICBT
Internet-based CBT can be divided into two main categories:
Therapist-led ICBT – This option is similar to regular CBT but takes place via video calls instead of via physical meetings. You talk to your therapist in real time at scheduled times and get homework done, just like with traditional CBT. The only difference is that you communicate remotely instead of meeting in person.
Self-managed ICBT – A program based on CBT and offers easy and smooth access to information and exercises to improve your opportunities for better mental health. You book a first appointment with a psychologist via video to access the programs. Either you work with the exercises yourself or in combination with the psychologist-led treatment.
There are mixed forms of the two variations. The patient’s needs and wishes determine on a case to case basis how many sessions they have with their psychologist.
Benefits of blended treatment
There are several benefits to following a blended treatment plan:
Effective
It can be more effective than having only therapy sessions. Research suggests that the therapeutic benefits of combining iCBT and therapy sessions can be more effective than therapy sessions alone (e.g. Kleiboer, et al., 2016).
Save time and money
As patients can work towards their therapy goals in between sessions using the iCBT programmes, the overall treatment duration can be reduced as the therapeutic work is not limited to the time when the patient is speaking to their therapist. This can save the patient both time and money.
Convenience
Online therapy can be completed at a time that is convenient for the patient. Blended treatment gives patients the opportunity to play an active role in their therapy outside of sessions as well as during sessions.
Focussed
Since the patient dedicates time to working with iCBT programmes in between sessions, this means that therapy sessions with the psychologist can be more focussed. iCBT programmes can be a useful resource for the development of discussion points between patients and therapists. Therapy sessions can then be more focussed on what needs to be worked through with the help of a psychologist (e.g. help with accessing and exploring emotions, evaluating treatment plans etc.) as the more practical aspects of therapy (e.g. psychoeducation through the iCBT programmes) can be carried out by the patient at a time that works for them.
Accessibility
Online therapy increases access to therapy. Patients who experience specific difficulties, such severe social anxiety, which could make it a challenge for them to attend therapy sessions in person, can still have access to treatment in a way that works for them.
ICBT via Mindler
Since the beginning, Mindler has mediated therapist-led CBT via video calls. Now it is also possible to implement self-guided ICBT in Mindler’s app. Thus, even more people can get help with mental disorders such as anxiety, phobia, OCD and depression – without doctor’s referrals, telephone queues or travel times. Self-guided ICBT is an excellent solution for those who prefer to take responsibility for their own therapy, and / or find it difficult to talk face to face with a therapist.
• You book an appointment yourself in Mindler’s app.
• All psychologists are trained in CBT and are HCPC registered.
• Maximum 24 hours waiting time for an initial assessment.
• No doctor’s referral required.