Overview
The project's aim is to investigate the effect of a transdiagnostic, self-guided, internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program in waitlist patients with anxiety disorders.
Description
Patients who fulfill the inclusion criteria and are interested in psychotherapy are offered participation in the study to bridge the waiting time for face-to-face psychotherapy. After obtaining informed consent, a pre-treatment assessment is conducted. Then, participants are provided access to velibra, an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program which they can work through at their own pace. While velibra is a self-guided program, participants are supported by study personnel during four assessments at four time points: pre-treatment, mid-treatment (after the first three velibra modules), post-treatment and at the one-month follow-up. The investigators expect improvements on the primary as well as the secondary outcomes. Furthermore, the investigators are interested in studying the acceptability of velibra and whether positive changes already become observable after the first three modules, i.e., at the mid-treatment assessment.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder
- Knowledge of German that is sufficient for engaging with the treatment and responding to the questionnaires
- Written informed consent
- Internet access
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnoses of severe mental comorbidities (e.g., schizophrenia, severe major depression, borderline personality disorder)
- Acute suicidality
- Started or changed anxiolytic pharmacotherapy recently (currently or in the past four weeks)