JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The advancement and access to technology such as smartphones has potential implications in the provision of psychotherapeutic interventions for a range of mental health disorders.

Objective:

To describe service-users’ experiences of the integration of a mobile phone application (app) to enhance and support Dialectial Behavior Therapy (DBT) for personality disorders.

Methods:

A combination of indepth interviews and questionnaires were used to capture service- users’ experience of using the app during DBT treatment. Qualitative data from the interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis and combined with quantitative data from the questionniares in a mixed method approach.

Results:

The app was trialled with 24 service-users receiving DBT. All partipants completed an evaluation questionnaire and a subset of this group (n=8) participated in semi-structured interviews. Major themes identified from the interviews included an overall positive experience of using the app, where users perceived that the app faciltitiated the access and implementation of DBT strategies to regulate mood and behavior in challenging situations. Other themes identified included the app providing a common source of information for patient/therapist interactions where app based interactions were perceived to facilitate therapeutic alliance. Qualitative themes from the interviews were largely congruent with the quantitative responses from the questionnaires.

Conclusions:

: Service users welcomed the integration of technology as a supplement to clinical treatment. The app was seen to facilitate and support many of the therapeutic techniques associated with DBT treatment. The incorporation of technology into psychotherapeutic interventions may facilitate the transfer of knowledge and strategies learnt in therapy to use in real world settings thereby promoting recovery from mental health problems.