Cognitive Behavioral Coaching for Depression and Anxiety

(IOS Toolkit Trial)

Overseen By Ana Ivic, LMSW

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: New York University

Disqualifiers: Not seeing BH technician, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

5586 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the effectiveness of new training for behavioral health (BH) technicians in assisting service members with depression and anxiety. The training emphasizes cognitive behavioral coaching, a method that helps change negative thought patterns. The researchers aim to determine if this training enhances the effectiveness of BH technicians compared to their usual methods. This trial suits active-duty airmen currently seeing an embedded BH technician. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative training methods that could improve mental health support for service members.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that this training is safe for behavioral health technicians?

Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Coaching (CBC) is generally safe. In a previous study, participants in a CBC program experienced a noticeable reduction in stress levels, with no serious side effects reported. Another study found that CBC helped decrease work-related anxiety and depression over time. These studies suggest that CBC is well-tolerated and can safely address emotional issues like stress and anxiety. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Cognitive Behavioral Coaching Training because it offers a fresh approach to tackling depression and anxiety. Unlike traditional treatments like medication or talk therapy, this method trains behavioral health technicians in active, deliberate practice, potentially making mental health support more accessible and personalized. By empowering technicians with these skills, the approach may lead to faster and more sustainable improvements in patients' mental health, offering an innovative way to expand mental health care reach and effectiveness.

What evidence suggests that Cognitive Behavioral Coaching Training is effective for depression and anxiety?

Research has shown that Cognitive Behavioral Coaching (CBC) can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. One study found that participants in a six-session CBC program experienced significantly lower stress levels. Another study revealed that 75.9% of individuals with anxiety and depression showed clear improvement, and 88.6% fully recovered based on standard tests. Additionally, therapies like CBC, known as cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT), have helped 43% of patients reduce their depression symptoms by half. This trial will evaluate CBC training for behavioral health technicians, potentially enhancing their support for service members. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Amy S Slep, PhD

Principal Investigator

NYU

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for active-duty airmen who may be experiencing sub-clinical psychological issues such as mild depression, anxiety, grief, leadership challenges, or dissatisfaction. Participants should not have severe mental health conditions that require intensive treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

Service members seeing a behavioral health (BH) technician

Currently embedded BH technicians

Exclusion Criteria

Service members who are not currently seeing a BH technician

BH technicians who are not embedded or have taken a clinic role

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Behavioral health technicians receive training in evidence-based interventions and engagement techniques

10 weeks

Regular training sessions

Implementation

Trained technicians implement evidence-based interventions with service members

10 weeks

Multiple sessions with service members

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in psychological health and well-being

14 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cognitive Behavioral Coaching Training

Trial Overview

The study tests whether training military behavioral health technicians in Cognitive Behavioral Coaching and giving them an integrated operational support toolkit can prevent psychological problems more effectively than routine care with standard resources.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: BH Technician Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

BH Technician Training; active deliberate practice training

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

New York University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

249

Recruited

229,000+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7815061/

Effectiveness of a Cognitive Behavioral Coaching Program ...

In this retrospective analysis, clients receiving coaching care for stress through a six-session CBC program showed significant improvement, with large ...

2.

crowncounseling.com

crowncounseling.com/statistics/cbt-success-rate-statistics/

CBT Success Rate Statistics: Effectiveness of CBT in 2024

43% of CBT patients report at least a 50% reduction in depression symptoms over 46 months, compared to 27% with usual care alone. Long-term ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032725012339

Cognitive behavioral therapies are evidence-based – ...

Within CBTs for depression specifically, a systematic review and meta-analysis showed that lower age, higher initial depression severity, individual treatment ...

4.

lyrahealth.com

lyrahealth.com/lyra-clinical-research/outcomes-of-a-blended-care-coaching-program-for-clients-with-anxiety-and-depression/

Outcomes of coaching program for anxiety and depression

Out of the total sample of 1496 clients, 75.9% (n=1136) demonstrated reliable improvement, and 88.6% (n=1326) recovered based on either the Generalized Anxiety ...

5.

beckinstitute.org

beckinstitute.org/cbt-resources/resources-for-professionals-and-students/research-corner/

CBT Research

Training and dissemination of cognitive behavior therapy for depression in adults: A preliminary examination of therapist competence and client outcomes.

6.

wjgnet.com

wjgnet.com/2307-8960/full/v12/i2/322.htm

Use of cognitive-behavioral career coaching to reduce ...

According to these results, the CCBC treatment reduced participants' levels of work anxiety and depression for a long time. Overall, the ...

7.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1929074825002628

Protocol Cognitive Behavioral Immersion for Depression

This protocol aims to conduct a randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of immersive CBI accessed via a virtual reality headset (CBI-VR)

8.

link.springer.com

link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10488-025-01473-8

Real-World Evidence of Technology-Enabled Coaching ...

Overall, coaching users reported statistically significant improvements in transdiagnostic emotional processes, including distress tolerance (+ ...

9.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/3/431

Next-Generation Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for ...

This systematic review aims to present the latest developments in next-generation CBT interventions of digital support tools, teletherapies, and personalized ...