Improving teletherapy delivery of core CBT skills
Leveraging telepsychology and behavioral economics to increase fidelity to CBT
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · NIH-11380611
This project builds prompts and incentives into teletherapy to help therapists consistently use key CBT steps so people get better-quality mental health sessions.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11380611 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If I'm seeing a therapist online, this project would add helpful prompts and incentives into the teletherapy platform so my clinician is reminded to do core CBT parts like symptom tracking, collaborative agendas, homework review, skill teaching, and in-session practice. The team will design the system together with clinicians and refine a prototype based on their input. They will then pilot the system in real teletherapy visits to see whether therapists follow these CBT steps more reliably. The goal is to make online therapy more consistently skill-focused and useful for people with common mental health concerns.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People receiving or planning to receive teletherapy for common mental health concerns (for example anxiety or depression) with clinicians who use CBT approaches would be the best fit.
Not a fit: People who do not use teletherapy, who are receiving only medication management, or who need immediate inpatient or crisis-level care are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could make teletherapy sessions more consistently include proven CBT components, which may improve symptom relief and skill-building for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows behavioral nudges can change clinician behavior in some settings, but applying these strategies specifically inside teletherapy platforms to boost CBT fidelity is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA — PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HAIMES, EMILY MICHELE BECKER — UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Study coordinator: HAIMES, EMILY MICHELE BECKER
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.