Service User and Therapist Perspectives on a CBT App: Therasize
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring Service User and Therapist Perspectives on a CBT Therapy-Enhancing Mobile App (Therazise)
IRAS ID
363526
Contact name
Gary Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Holloway University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 29 days
Research summary
This project looks at how mobile phone apps might be used to support talking therapies, especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). During the COVID-19 pandemic, many therapy sessions moved online, and this highlighted the potential for digital tools to help people and therapists work together. Research suggests that apps can be useful for things like tracking mood, practising self-help exercises, and reminding people to do therapy “homework” between sessions—something that is very important in CBT but often hard to keep up with. However, these tools are not yet a regular part of NHS services, and many existing apps do not fit well into everyday therapy.
To address this, the project will involve both clients and therapists in shaping an app to make sure it is helpful, easy to use, and suited to real-world needs. Clients will be asked about their preferences and what might make using an app easier or harder. Therapists will first share their views in small group discussions, then try out a CBT app called Therasize. After using the app, they will give feedback on how well it worked, what was useful, and what could be improved.
By combining the views of both clients and therapists, the study aims to design a digital tool that genuinely supports therapy. The long-term aim is to see how mobile apps could become part of usual NHS care, helping people with conditions like anxiety and depression get more out of therapy and making the process more effective for both clients and therapists.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
25/NS/0130
Date of REC Opinion
20 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion