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Meet Anu Asnaani, PhD
Assistant Professor at the University of Utah
Anu Asnaani, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and licensed psychologist who has established the Treatment Mechanisms, Community Empowerment, and Technology Innovations laboratory (https://psych.utah.edu/research/labs/empower-lab.php) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT. She was previously an Assistant Professor at University of Pennsylvania from 2013-2018 and Associate Director of the Center for Treatment and Study of Anxiety from 2017-2018. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Boston University from 2007-2012, followed by her clinical internship from the Brown Alpert Medical School from 2012-2013. Her research focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms (e.g., emotion regulation, distress tolerance, cultural values) of effective treatments for fear-based disorders such as anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD, and exploring how fear-based disorder symptoms (and other outcomes that matter to our communities) are most effectively improved across a greater diversity of individuals. Her work relies on working in close partnership with collaborators in community and global settings, and utilizes innovations in technology to expand the reach of evidence-based interventions in multiple contexts.
Dr. Asnaani responded to questions from ABCT's Research Facilitation Committee about her experiences in research.
How long have you been a member of ABCT?
14 years, since when I was a senior in college
What tips can you offer to colleagues trying to start a research lab or begin a career in research?
For those at the stage of starting their own lab after years of training, the first, and most important, thing to think about is what the focus of your lab is going to be, and make it something that you feel passionate about. It doesn't need to be cutting edge, it doesn't need to be fancy, and it doesn't need to impress anyone - you want to decide what your lab will work on based on your own motivation and joy. Otherwise, it won't last, or will likely make you miserable even if it does!
If you're just trying to begin a career in research, what worked for me was aligning with a good mentor and team to learn from in the early years (as an undergrad, even!). A mentor can be an actual faculty member, but a mentor can also be one of many others within that team (post-docs, older students, RAs) who teach you the scientific basics of generating a question, testing the question, and interpreting what you find from that exploration. Be open to finding mentorship, guidance and support from a range of people - don't just rely on that faculty mentor -- and practice being a good all-around, non-hierarchical team player, ready to learn from every level of personnel in the lab you first work in. I have seen burgeoning researchers make the mistake of only relying on a busy PI for guidance, or more problematically, devaluing the immense knowledge many others (including your peers) can bring to informing your own career in research.
Has your approach to research changed over the course of your career? If so, how has it changed?
Absolutely. As I started my career, I largely followed research pursuits that fell under the expertise of my mentors at each stage (RA, grad student, internship, first post-grad position), which, don't get me wrong, is a great way to learn and grow. I am very thankful for having an overarching guide at each stage of my training to help build my basic and advanced research skills in terms of implementing studies, analyzing data, and academic writing related to these projects. However, even from the very beginning of graduate school, I was starting to form a much better idea from these diverse, mentored research experiences around what really held my own interest or piqued my curiosity. As a result, the noticeable change in my approach to research has been a greater and greater emphasis on spending my research time doing work that more directly aligns with my core academic interests and values, with my research work now being near 100% in line with what I really feel intrinsically motivated to do. In addition, I have noticed that an ongoing transition in my approach to research has been a desire to make sure that the scientific discovery work I do directly informs specific implementation, policy, and advocacy efforts in the realm of mental health, and it is something I am training my students to be aware of and get engaged in much earlier in their careers than I did.
What have you found most rewarding about your research?
By far, the most rewarding part of my research has been the immense connection to others, who bring such a wealth of different perspectives, experiences, stories, and skillsets. I refer to this connection not only made to my mentors, colleagues, and students, but also to my patients and community research participants, each of whom I am in awe of given their different contributions to moving the needle forward on our understanding and treatment of mental health symptoms. I am both humbled and energized by these expansive connections, that now span multiple cities across the U.S., and across multiple countries where I am so grateful to have collaborators and individuals with whom I have been able to work to improve mental health delivery and scientific study of fear-based disorders.
What is one challenge about your research that you didn't anticipate before you started the work, and how have you dealt with this?
A major challenge I continue to contend with is setting limits around research commitments - for many of us, there are so many things that are fascinating and certainly worthy of additional scientific exploration, but as is also the case for all us, regardless of career stage - there is only finite time. I think one thing I didn't fully grasp in graduate school was how I would be able to scale my research efforts in a post-training position. That is, I always assumed that if I could write out a whole bunch of papers and run a few studies simultaneously as an advanced graduate student, that my capacity to do so would only increase as my career progressed. However, I was not aware of the challenges and time constraints that would be placed (as it is for everyone) as you become more senior in terms of service, administration, mentorship and teaching, and therefore time allotted for each research pursuit needs to take these additional responsibilities into account. Part of how I have managed this challenge is learning to say no to some projects (even if they are so interesting!), committing fully to the ones I have, incorporating time for mentorship, supervision and administrative tasks as the PI when thinking about the load of each project, and really focusing my time and energy on those research pursuits that align most fully with my core research interests (refer back to my mention of the importance of defining this focus when starting your own lab). This approach allows me to deliver on my research projects more effectively, and quite frankly, more happily!
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ABCT Statement on Racism and Discrimination
The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies is outraged by the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others at the hands of police officers and broader law enforcement, healthcare, and many other societal systems that devalue Black lives. ABCT's mission states that we are "committed to the enhancement of health and well-being," and our goal is to help those in need to heal. So, when we see a system designed to protect us, instead be one that kills, hurts, and disenfranchises communities of color, we are all the more enraged, troubled, and hurt.
And we are called to self-reflect, and to act.
As members of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, we use science to enhance health and well-being. The health and well-being of our Black colleagues, students, patients, friends, and family are repeatedly threatened and damaged by the systemic racism in our society. We publicly voice our support for social justice organizations, like Black Lives Matter and NAACP, who are on the frontlines, mobilizing for real lasting change in Black and Brown communities. We call on our members to use our science to help end racial injustice and police brutality, especially our members who typically shy away from this work. As therapists and researchers, we have tools and expertise that can help us work toward justice. As therapists, for example, we must create space for our patients to discuss racial discrimination if they choose, listening openly and checking our biases; as researchers, for example, we must work harder in authentic methodological design and recruitment to ensure sample diversity and inclusivity, and to improve our ability to assess racial differences.
As therapists and researchers, we must also acknowledge our privilege and role within the broader system of generating and disseminating knowledge. We must commit to reflecting and exploring what opportunities we have had (and maybe looked past), and to use our privilege to address injustices and reflect on how we can actively seek opportunities. We believe the tools and expertise we possess grant us a privilege that must be acknowledged and acted upon.
In 2019, ABCT launched a Task Force to Promote Equity, Inclusion, and Access. The Task Force surveyed members in March and April of this year, to assess members' opinions on how ABCT is doing with respect to equity, inclusion, and access. A detailed summary based on close to 400 responses was recently shared with the ABCT Board of Directors. Next, the Task Force will draft a full report, including recommendations for how ABCT can better support diversity and inclusion across everything that we do, especially supporting our members and stakeholders from the Black community. We also look forward to learning what resources (e.g., readings, educational opportunities, expert conversations) our members might find helpful for addressing racism and discrimination in their work, and to making these resources available. ABCT is committed to improving and growing, with respect to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
To our Black members: We see you. We hear you. We are committed to listening to you and standing with you.
ABCT Board of Directors
Martin M. Antony, President
Bruce F. Chorpita, Immediate Past President
David F. Tolin, President-Elect
Sandra Pimentel, Secretary-Treasurer
Risa Weisberg, Representative-at-Large
Shireen Rizvi, Representative-at-Large
Amie E. Grills, Representative-at-Large
The Board of Directors would like to acknowledge and publicly thank Jamilah R. George and Destiny M.B. Printz, co-leaders of the ABCT Black Americans in Research and Therapy Special Interest Group, Ryan DeLapp, member of the ABCT Task Force to Promote Equity, Access, and Inclusion, Shari Steinman, Social Networking Media Committee Chair, and David Teisler, Director of Communications for their contributions and assistance in helping put together this statement.
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Dr. Tamar Gordon
Featured Therapist Interview
Dr. Tamar Gordon is the founder and clinical director of Tamar Gordon Psychology, PLLC; The Gordon Therapy Group. Dr. Gordon is a NYS-licensed clinical psychologist who provides evidence-based mental health treatment for adults and children. Dr. Gordon received her MA and PhD in clinical psychology from St. John's University in
2005, completing a dissertation on the emotional effects of corporal punishment on children. She received her B.A. in psychology from Harvard University, graduating with honors, and spent two years working at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) studying seasonal depression. Dr. Gordon completed her two-year post-doctoral
fellowship training at the NYU Child Study Center in 2006.
Dr. Gordon has served as an adjunct faculty member at both Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and Columbia University Teacher's College, teaching CBT to graduate students in clinical psychology. She has been a supervisor at a community mental health clinic, an expert consultant on trauma treatment to the United States Veteran's
Association, and is an active member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the International OCD Foundation, and the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. She is passionate about helping people find healthy ways to experience emotions while living a valued life.
Dr. Gordon's group practice on the Upper West Side of New York City focuses on treating anxiety disorders of all types, and in all age groups, with some psychologists focusing on the youngest kiddos, and others working with older age groups. She herself works with people from ages 7 to 70. They provide individual treatment and parenting
skills for a full range of problems, including OCD, ADHD, and Generalized Anxiety. You can read more details about each clinician at https://gordontherapygroup.com/staff-psychologists/
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, The Gordon Therapy Group is providing all services via tele-health. Please contact us at drgordon@gordontherapygroup.com or check us out at
https://www.facebook.com/tamargordonpsychology
First, we would like to know a little about your practice.
What are your personal strengths as a practitioner?
I use humor a lot. I encourage people to see the beauty of their own humanity, the ways our strengths and weaknesses are often two sides of the same coin. A client I've known for a long time once told me that she can often hear laughter coming from my office when she's waiting for her appointment, and she likes knowing that even if she is going to cry in session she will also probably get to laugh.
What "tips" can you offer to colleagues just opening a practice?
All it takes is a phone number, an office space, and a colleague to talk things over with sometimes. Don't let fear stop you from moving forward.
How do you remind your patients of their strengths during the therapy process?
I try to help people see themselves through my eyes. I generally find that I am able to find something likeable and admirable in everyone. If I can see the good, so can you. I also admit to some of my own imperfections so that patients see they are not alone in their struggle to overcome fears and difficulties.
Are you involved in other types of professional activities in addition to your private practice?
I supervise at various graduate programs, bringing along new psychologists in their own CBT practice. I'm on the board of the Women's Mental Health Consortium of New York, wmhcny.org, and I am active in the Anxiety Disorders Association of American and ABCT.
We would also like to know a little about you personally.
Who was your mentor?
Dr. Jeff Nevid at St. John's University mentored my dissertation, and helped me think like a scientist. Dr. Ray Digiuseppe at St. John's taught me REBT and the Albert Ellis approach. Dr. Marylene Cloitre was my post-doctoral mentor, and she taught me how to treat adult survivors of childhood abuse using a structured treatment that mixed the best of CBT, principles of Acceptance, Interpersonal Schemas, and Exposure Therapy that has influenced most of my treatment approach since. Her work also led me to learn to do child treatment so I could help kids grow into healthy adults.
When not practicing CBT, what do you do for fun?
I like to bake and to read novels, or better yet eat what I have baked while reading a novel!
We are also interested in some of your views of CBT.
What do you think is the single most important thing CBT can do for your clients?
Help them identify their own mood, thought, and behavior patterns so they can make conscious choices about their lives.
Where do you see the field of the behavioral therapies going over the next 3-5 years?
I think neuroscience will influence our work more and more. New developments are going to come from increased understanding of biology and neurology.
How do you use the local or social media to educate your community on the benefits of CBT?
Not as well as perhaps I should. But you can find some video of me on my Facebook or Instagram pages,
https://www.facebook.com/tamargordonpsychology or https://www.instagram.com/gordontherapygroup
Finally, we would like to know your opinions about ABCT.
How long have you been a member of ABCT?
Since 2007.
How has ABCT helped you professionally?
It has helped me connect with other professionals and educate myself at the conference and on the list serve.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions!
ABCT Statement on COVID-19
Our understanding of coronavirus (COVID-19) is rapidly evolving. As news of the virus spreading globally and within our local communities continues, we at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies want to reassure you that concern and worry are normal and adaptive during a pandemic. Many of us are concerned about our health and that of our loved ones, especially those of us with older and possibly vulnerable family and friends. It is understandable to be concerned about our jobs and financial situation, particularly if the current outbreak continues for weeks or months.
Knowing how the virus spreads and how to protect ourselves and our loved ones can help us feel empowered and prepared to deal with the situation. It is easy to quickly become overwhelmed by conflicting and, at times, frightening information. Consuming too much news, in whatever medium, can sometimes do more harm than good. Consider choosing one or two reliable sources of health information (see below for suggestions from the CDC), and limiting the time you spend reading news each day. Follow recommended public health strategies (e.g., hand washing, staying home if sick, social distancing), and employ healthy coping strategies, such as exercising, connecting with loved ones (even virtually), and engaging in positive, productive activities. Remember that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best known and most scientifically supported therapy for anxiety. If you need additional ideas for managing anxiety and stress during this challenging time, check out the links below.
For those of us with young children, it is important to address questions and concerns children may have in an age-appropriate way without increasing anxiety. Reassure children that worry is normal when news of a disease emerges. For very young children, a useful approach to facilitate discussion is play and drawing; with tweens and teens a conversation is best. Reassure children that COVID-19 appears to be mild in children. If you need guidance see our links below
There are also tips on dealing with anxiety in this anxiety-provoking time.
Health Information:
Resources for Anxiety:
Telehealth:
Coping in the Real World
All staff are working from home as mandated by the Governor of New York. You can still reach staff via email; a full directory is here 
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photo courtesy Claudio Scott
Help with Insomnia
With more than 30% of Americans experiencing insomnia, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine (SBSM) and the American Alliance for Healthy Sleep (AAHS) have all teamed up to raise awareness about insomnia by observing a night, June 22, 2020 to provide education and support to those experience this disorder.
The number one treatment for chronic insomnia is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. From setting a consistent sleep schedule to replacing fears about sleeplessness with more helpful expectations and more!
For more information on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and how to treat Insomnia see
Spend Your Time Wisely and Spend Less
Wondering how you are going to get your continuing education credit while in confinement?
ABCT can help! Effective Monday, April 13 through Sunday, May 31, 2020, we are offering members and nonmembers the opportunity to look at our pre-recorded webinars that offer continuing education credit for just $15! Normally we charge $30 for members and $45 for nonmembers.
We believe that COVID-19 should not hamper your professional development.
To see a full listing of webinars available click here
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Happenings
FREE Live Webinar July 9th
Stabilizing Chaos: Fostering Psychological Resilience in the Wake of Adverse Events
Presented by
Lata McGinn, Ph.D.
Yeshiva University
Cognitive & Behavioral Consultants
Register here for free!
Thursday, July 9, 2020
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Eastern | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Central
10:00 am – 11:00 am Mountain | 9:00 am – 10:00 am Pacific
In ABCT's continued effort to support our members, we are offering a free 1-hour webinar titled "Stabilizing Chaos: Fostering Psychological Resilience in the Wake of Adverse Events" on July 9, 2020. It is our hope that this information will be of assistance as we partner to meet the increased mental health needs of our community. The COVID-19 pandemic, the economic downturn, and the racist killing of George Floyd have led to national crises and have impacted all of our lives in unprecedented ways. For many in our communities, including essential workers and those who have lost family and friends as a result of the virus, the risk for trauma exposure is high. This webinar will offer practical strategies rooted in Psychological First Aid (PFA), an evidence-based approach for fostering resilience, helping people effectively cope in the aftermath of a trauma, and preventing the development of pathological symptoms. The webinar will also describe maladaptive coping that increases the chances of developing pathological symptoms and present CBT strategies that prevent onset of symptoms and help individuals adaptively cope with chronic stress. The goal of this webinar is to support clinicians to feel prepared to navigate the increase in trauma exposure and chronic stress that their clients may soon be, or already are, experiencing. Participants will learn common trauma reactions, risk and resilience factors, the components of PFA, how to apply PFA and other CBT principles during these crises in a virtual setting.
Please note that this webinar will not be eligible for CE credit.
For information please email us at membership@abct.org
ABCT 305 Seventh Ave Floor 16 New York, NY 10001
To unsubscribe please send an email to membership@abct.org with unsubscribe in the subject line. (You will still receive business and membership emails.)
Have you visited ABCT’s YouTube channel
ABCT’s YouTube channel has great information, including how-to demonstrations giving you immediate nearly anxiety-free competency with starting telehealth in your own practice or getting tips on how to teach a class online, or, if you want to be on the receiving end, tips for getting into graduate school.
There’s also a slew of videos celebrating the pioneers who have shaped CBT theory and practice. Profitable, enjoyable, easy-to-digest material.
See 
Congratulations to our newly elected officers:
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President-Elect 2020-2021: Laura D. Seligman, Ph.D., ABPP
Representative-at-Large 2020-2023: Carolyn Black Becker, Ph.D., ABPP
Both by-laws changes passed
Hangin’ with the Book Sellers
"We Need You - Maybe You Need Us Too?"
We, your publishers, love coming to the ABCT Annual Convention. Like everyone who attends, we are here to network and to learn, and in our case - we hope - to inform. We get to meet existing authors, prospective authors and editors; and we get to show readers and potential readers both the latest releases as well as established classics and publications that ABCT members and others have created. We aim to showcase the best of ABCT for ABCT.
Unlike online stores, where you may have to search through millions of products, in the ABCT convention exhibit hall attendees can see carefully curated selections of books, journals, and other information resources that are relevant for your professional development. Some may even be a bit of fun. You can pick them up, browse them, compare them with other publications to get the one that is right for you and/or your clients.
Another great thing is that you can usually choose whether to buy and take your favorite book with you to read straight away - or have it shipped home for free.
And our meeting discounts save you money as well. Just a couple of examples: New Harbinger is currently offering a 30% discount online, with a meeting discount of 30% and free shipping. Or you can save over $10 on $30 books in Hogrefe's Advances in Psychotherapy series with the meeting discount and "4 for 3" offer.
Another neat thing is that many of our authors like hanging out at their publishers' booths, so if you're lucky you may even be able to chat with this expert in the exhibit hall - if you've not already attended a talk or symposium.
The select band of publishers that continue to support ABCT help make the exhibit hall educational and professionally informative. So come by your favorite publishers' booths at the Annual Convention: delve into great publications and choose the right one(s) for you, to read right now or later, save money, and chat with the experts who've written them - or maybe even discuss your own ideas with your favorite publishers.
Dorothy Smyk, Foreign rights Director (New Harbinger)
Robert Dimbleby, Publishing Manager (Hogrefe)
ABCT congratulates the 2019 award winners!
Awards Ceremony: Friday, 5:30-6:30 p.m., L401-L403, Lobby Level
Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Lifetime Achievement Award
Philip C. Kendall, Ph.D., ABPP, Temple University
Outstanding Clinician
Cory F. Newman, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, Center for Cognitive Therapy
Outstanding Training Program
Jesse R. Cougle, Ph.D., Director, Florida State University's Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program
Outstanding Service to ABCT
Carmen McLean, Ph.D., National Center for PTSD
Distinguished Friend to the Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
- Rod Holland, D.Clin.Psych., WCCBT and EABCT
- Philip Tata, D.Clin.Psych., WCCBT and EABCT
President's New Researcher
Jessica L. Schleider, Ph.D., Stony Brook University
Anne Marie Albano Early Career Award for the Integration of Science and Practice
Jami M. Furr, Ph.D., Center for Children and Families, Florida International University
Virginia A. Roswell Dissertation Award
Amy R. Sewart, M.A., UCLA
Leonard Krasner Dissertation Award
Michael Best, M.Sc., Queen's University
John R. Z. Abela Dissertation Award
Natalie Rodriguez-Quintana, M.P.H., Indiana University
Student Research Grant
Colin M. Bosma, M.A., University of Maine
Honorable Mention: Shirley Wang, B.A., Harvard University
Student Travel Award
Poppy Brown, University of Oxford
Beliefs About the Self and Others in Paranoia
Elsie Ramos Memorial Student Poster Awards
- Abel Mathew, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, "Evaluating the Role of the Approach Avoidance Training on Action Tendencies in Individuals With Skin Picking Disorder"
- John McKenna, Suffolk University, "Sexual Assertiveness as a Predictor of Consent Attitudes and Beliefs Among LGBTQ+/Non-Binary Young Adults"
- Oliver G. Johnston, University of Connecticut, "Identifying Intervention Targets for Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms in College Students"
Spotlight on Mentors
- Elise M. Clerkin, Ph.D., Miami University
- Genelle K. Sawyer, Ph.D., The Citadel
- Norman B. Schmidt, Ph.D., Florida State University
ADAA Travel Awards
- Christal Badour, Ph.D., University of Kentucky
- Nicholas Jacobson, M.S., Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Champions Program
This award recognizes outstanding individuals who are not members of ABCT but who have shown exceptional dedication, influence, and social impact through the promotion of evidence-based interventions and who have thereby advanced the mission of ABCT.
Visit our Champions page for full details on how to nominate and for a full listing of champions
photo courtesy of Geralt
Celebrate Diversity
The Clinical Directory and Referral issues committee is highlighting the large number of SIGs that cover racial and ethnic diversity within ABCT:
 BEHAVIOR THERAPY
Call for Papers: Special Issue of Behavior Therapy
The impact and treatment of sleep disorders
Sleep disorders are a significant public health problem in general, and are particularly elevated among psychiatric populations. This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge research on the treatment of sleep disorders as well as work that makes significant contributions to our understanding of how sleep disorders impact the treatment of comorbid psychological disorders. Some of the essential questions that this special issue will seek to address include:
1. What is the efficacy or effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapies for sleep disorders, including traditional and eHealth interventions?
2. How do sleep disorders impact the treatment outcomes of comorbid psychological disorders?
3. What are the mechanisms that may explain the connection between sleep disorders and other psychological disorders, and how can this inform treatment planning?
This is not an exhaustive list, but instead illustrates the type of research questions of interest. Studies that assess sleep disorders using interview or polysomnography methods are encouraged. Papers for this special issue must highlight the clinical value of the findings. In addition to original research, review articles, short reports, brief commentary, case reports, and meta-analyses are invited.
Please direct inquiries and submit proposal abstracts to Carmen McLean (carmen.mclean4@va.gov) no later than February 1, 2019. If invited to contribute, final papers will be due July 1, 2019. Papers not considered for the special issue are of course still welcome for submission to the journal as an author initiated manuscript.
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ABCT is delighted to announce a new partnership with PsyberGuide.
Please watch these pages for an expanding list of CBT-relevant apps being reviewed by the staff at PsyberGuide and the editors at Cognitive and Behavioral Practice.
PsyberGuide (PsyberGuide.org) is a non-profit website reviewing smartphone applications and other digital mental health tools. Its goal is to help people make responsible and informed decisions about the technologies they use for management of mental health. PsyberGuide is committed to ensuring that this information is available to all, and that it is free of preference, bias, or endorsement.
PsyberGuide is funded by One Mind, a leading non-profit organization supporting collaborative brain research to provide patients who suffer from brain disease and injury better diagnostics and treatment. With over 325,000 emerging digital health technologies, and an estimated 15,000 of those designed for mental health, One Mind recognized the lack of advice or guidelines to help people navigate the expanding marketplace of mental health apps. Thus in 2013, One Mind established PsyberGuide to address this growing problem.
In 2017, One Mind welcomed Dr. Stephen Schueller as Executive Director. Dr. Schueller is an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at University of California. Irvine. His work focuses on expanding the accessibility and availability of mental health services through technology.
PsyberGuide & ABCT established this partnership with the aim of disseminating reviews of digital mental health tools to a broad audience of researchers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental-health practitioners who are interested in using these tools in their practice of behavioral, cognitive, and biological evidence-based principles.
In the coming months, app reviews from both PsyberGuide and Cognitive and Behavioral Practice will be integrated on both sites to expand the reach of information on available apps. ABCT will be developing a dedicated app review page which will host a sample of relevant PsyberGuide reviews. PsyberGuide will also link to C&BP reviews on their site, where relevant.
PsyberGuide Executive Director, Dr. Stephen Schueller, said "ABCT has been a leader in advancing the use of innovative behavioral and cognitive treatments. Technological behavioral and cognitive treatments will play a role in the future of mental health care and we're excited to team with ABCT to ensure researchers and practitioners are equipped to effectively use technology to help improve people's lives."
To see PsyberGuide's full list of apps reviewed, click here: https://psyberguide.org
Cognitive and Behavioral Practice's apps are reviewed with the idea of providing guidance to clinicians in choosing apps that allow them to best serve the needs of their clients. Reviews will often cover cost, targeted clients, basic purpose, the research data behind them, as well as quick overviews of their utility.
To see Cognitive and Behavioral Practice's review apps, click on the app that most interests you:
MMFT Review Summaries
Anxiety Coach
Anxiety Coach is an app for iOS devices ($4.99 at time of publication; Mayo Clinic, 2016) marketed as a self-help program for anxiety for children and adults. The primary focus is to help individuals understand and identify anxiety symptoms, create a hierarchy, and develop plans for exposure tasks. The program was designed by clinical researchers with expertise in CBT for anxiety. There is potential to support ongoing therapy, such as to allow patients to provide real-time data when reviewing between-session anxiety and exposure details with a therapist. Whiteside and colleagues (2014) have published case studies and reported feasibility/acceptability data which are promising. Our expert reviewer felt that the focus of the app on helping users conduct exposure tasks is unique and valuable, and the program had good navigation and an easy to follow user interface.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1077722916300785
SuperBetter
SuperBetter is an iOS app and website that is marketed to help users pursue goals, which can include mental health goals. The app was developed using game theory and mechanics that mimic "behaviors and techniques that have been clinically shown to give individuals more control over their thoughts and feelings" according to the developer, Jane McGonigal, who has authored books on the subject of leveraging gaming to increase well-being. There are video-game features like "power-ups," "quests," "Power Packs" and a "Community" where individuals can join in to engage in forums or play together as "Allies." Our reviewer found a strong development team and breadth of content, but felt the overall quality of the content lacking in terms of potential to promote clinically significant levels of improvement without active or guided practice with real-world behavior change. Preliminary RCTs have shown feasibility, though attrition rates continue to be a concern. Our reviewer recommends caution if considering this as a stand-alone option for depression or as an adjunct to face-to-face therapy without further data on effectiveness and further development of human safety plans.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1077722916300773
Sleepio
Sleepio is a 6-week treatment program for insomnia delivered online and through mobile app. The program includes evidence-based components including psychoeducation, relaxation techniques, cognitive thought challenging sleep scheduling and sleep tracking compatibility (with other wearable trackers). Our reviewer felt the navigation was easy to use and the platform engaging. The program has been tested in a large RCT and smaller trials with promising results. The program is more costly than online competitors ($300 for a 1-year subscription). Our reviewer felt it was a good option as stand-alone first-line intervention and a model internet-based CBT intervention.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1077722917300986
TicHelper.com
TicHelper.com is an 8-week online treatment program for Tic Disorders in youth (8-adolescence) based on the empirically-supported Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) protocol and developed in collaboration with experts who developed and tested CBIT. The program includes evidence-based components including psychoeducation, training in developing competing responses and multiple videos to illustrate concepts. There is also some parent-focused content. Our reviewer felt the program was age-appropriate, appealing and easy to navigate. While the online program does not offer the tailoring allowed in face-to-face individual therapy, there are branching structures which allow some tailoring of content. There is pilot feasibility data on the prototype but no research trials published at the time of this review. Our reviewer notes that the strengths outweigh the weaknesses and the program is unique in the market of targeting this condition and using evidence-based treatment components.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1077722917300226
Triple P Online
Triple P Online is an online self-help parent training program aimed at reducing child behavior problems through evidence-based "positive parenting practices." The program is available through the website, www2.tripleponline.net, at time of review for $79.95. The program is comprised of 8 video-based modules. Our expert reviewer found the program to include high-quality content with relevant and easily locatable resources, and felt the navigation was easy-to-use and appealing. The program's main weakness lies in its lack of monitoring and adaptation to the user's state (e.g., child's and parent's behaviors), and real-time reminders for desired actions. Overall the program was found to be a valuable parent training resource for addressing child behavior problems by our reviewer.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1077722917301001
Psychotherapy.net
Psychotherapy.net is an online magazine and video library and production company targeting clinicians, educators, and clinical trainees. At present, the website offers two video steaming subscription plans for individual use: 1) a "Choice plan", which allows access to 2 monthly videos for a fee of $39 each month; and 2) an "Unlimited plan" for $79 monthly, which allows unlimited access to the full online library of over 200 training videos. The primary strength of the website is the breadth of available psychotherapy training videos, which cover several major theoretical orientations, modalities, and clinical populations. However, our expert reviewer notes that the resource is limited by the current absence of information related to evidence-based practice recommendations.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1077722915000772
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ABCT weighs in on the effects on children of being separated from their parents
Members consulted the literature on this, and posted results from the literature. Needless to say, the findings don't paint pretty pictures. Studies included refugees in Christmas Island, survivors of natural disaster in Australia, left behind children in China, and more.
Detention is not good for children; children in detention handle it better if with their parents; Chinese children left behind as their migrant parents work fair worse than children who accompany their migrant parents even though the living conditions are tougher; foster care, when parents are alive, is sometimes a source of confusion.
Problems are detailed in our posting, with full coverage here
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