FAQ re ICBT
What is ICBT?
ICBT stands for Internet delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy that focuses on how thoughts, physical symptoms, and behaviour are all interrelated to cause mental health issues. Our CBT course is delivered online through our own platform and is designed to help participants identify their cycle of unhelpful thoughts, physical symptoms, and unhelpful behaviours. The course also provides a number of strategies in each phase of the cycle to help participants reach their goals related to improved depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms, both short and long-term.
How long is the program?
The program for spinal cord injury (SCI) is 8 weeks in length and the program for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is 10 weeks.
How do I sign up for the program?
To sign up, visit our webpage at the link below for a list of the studies we are currently conducting. Once you have found the study you are interested in, scroll down to the end of the program description and click on the “Participate from here” button.
What amount of time do I need to commit to the program each week?
Everyone works at a different pace, so it really depends on the individual. That being said, based on past participants, you are looking at between 1 – 2 hours a day.
Is it free?
Yes.
Can I stop/drop out of the program, and are there any consequences to future participation?
If you choose to participate in a study, it is done so voluntarily. You may stop your participation at any time, and it will have no impact on your choice to participate in any other current or future studies.
Who shouldn’t use the program?
As part of the enrollment process, there are questionnaires and a telephone screening component. During this phase of the study, it may indicate that our program is not suited to an individual’s needs. If this is the case, we will refer the individual to other services that may be a better fit to address the mental health goals.
Is there any follow-up after the program is completed?
Upon completion of the course, participants will be asked to answer questionnaires which take between 15 – 30 minutes to complete. In 3 months and 1-year post completion, we will email you a package of follow-up questionnaires that we ask participants to complete, which will take 15 – 30 minutes. The questionnaires are designed to let us know how participants are doing and give us a sense of how successful the program is.
Can my family members take the program?
We are currently developing an ICBT program for caretakers of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Visit our site at the following link to stay updated on when it will be available.
Is my participation confidential?
Each participant is assigned a number upon acceptance to the program, which will be the primary means of identification. The only people who will have access to your personal information, and data associated with you specifically, are your guide, the telephone screener, and the principal investigator.
Has this program been successful in the past?
Yes, very much so. Similar programs have been studied in other countries with great short- and long-term success. Our preliminary findings for our study have been very positive.
Can I get the results of the study?
Yes.