moodgym is like an interactive self-help book which helps you to learn and practise skills which can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
moodgym for organisations
moodgym for individuals
How is moodgym structured?
moodgym provides training in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), and consists of five interactive modules which are completed in order.
These include information, interactive exercises, workbooks to record thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and quizzes with personalised feedback.
Module 1. Feelings
Why you feel the way you do
- Connections between thoughts and feelings
- Identifying the emotional consequences of negative thoughts
- Understanding WUTIWUF (what you think is what you feel)
Module 2: Thoughts
Changing the way we think to feel better
- Types of dysfunctional thinking and how these might be contested
- Common problem areas such as authority and intimate relationships
- Improving self-esteem
Module 3: Unwarping
Changing warped thoughts
- Different ways to change dysfunctional thinking
- Identifying personal vulnerabilities
- More help with self-esteem through actively increasing positive events
Module 4: Destressing
Knowing what makes you upset
- Identifying situations or events which might trigger stress or warped thoughts
- Relaxation methods (includes downloads)
- Problem solving
Module 5: Relationships
Break-ups and how you were raised
- How to cope with and grow from relationship break-ups
- Mum and Dad issues (or how you were raised)
Workbook
Easy access to quizzes and diaries
- Retake quizzes and compare your results over time
- Access exercises and diaries from each of the modules
Program elements
EXERCISES AND QUIZZES
As you progress through moodgym, you will be asked to answer questions about your feelings and thoughts.
moodgym then provides personalised feedback about your quiz results.
MODULE SUMMARIES
At the end of each module a summary is available which can also be printed.
The summary includes quiz results and feedback, as well as the key concepts taught in the module.
CHARACTERS
The moodgym characters illustrate how contrasting thinking styles and vulnerabilities can lead to different emotions and outcomes.
Users meet Noproblemos, Cyberman, Iffy, Worrie-woman, Moody and Creepy Angry.
moodgym features
Over 1 million users worldwide
Anonymous, confidential
Secure handling of your data
Access anytime, at your own pace
Scientifically evaluated
Evidence for effectiveness
Scientific trials evaluating moodgym have shown that using two or more modules is linked to significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms. The trials also found that these benefits still last after 12 months. moodgym has been the subject of over 40 peer-reviewed publications and has demonstrated effectiveness in individuals of various ages and ethnicity in different settings.
ehub Health welcomes independent research on the use of the moodgym with specific population groups or different settings. We encourage researchers to contact us to discuss the requirements of your research.
References
moodgym:
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Howell, A. N., Rheingold, A. A., et al. (2018). Web-based CBT for the prevention of anxiety symptoms among medical and health science graduate students. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 1-21.
Lobner, M., Pabst, A., et al. (2018). Computerized cognitive behavior therapy for patients with mild to moderately severe depression in primary care: A pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial (@ktiv). J Affect Disord, 238, 317-26.
Gilbody, S., Brabyn, S., et al. (2017). Telephone-supported computerised cognitive–behavioural therapy: REEACT-2 large-scale pragmatic randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 210(5), 362-267.
Healey, B. J., Griffiths, K. M., & Bennett, K. (2017). The effect of programme testimonials on registrations for an online cognitive behaviour therapy intervention: a randomised trial. Digital Health, 3, 2055207617729937.
Lobner, M., Stein, J., et al. (2017). Innovative E-Health-Ansatze fur komorbide Depressionen bei Patienten mit Adipositas: Nutzungsakzeptanz aus Patienten- und Expertenperspektive. [Innovative E-Health Approaches for Comorbid Depression in Patients with Obesity: Patient and Expert Perspectives on User Acceptance]. Psychiatr Prax, 44(5), 286-95.
Yeung, A., Wang, F., et al. (2017). Outcomes of an online computerized cognitive behavioral treatment program for treating chinese patients with depression: A pilot study. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 38, 102-7.
Brabyn, S., Araya, R., et al. (2016). The second Randomised Evaluation of the Effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and Acceptability of Computerised Therapy (REEACT-2) trial: does the provision of telephone support enhance the effectiveness of computer-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy? A randomised controlled trial. Health Technol Assess, 20(89), 1-64.
Twomey, C., & O’Reilly, G. (2016). Effectiveness of a freely available computerised cognitive behavioural therapy programme (MoodGYM) for depression: Meta-analysis. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51(3), 260-9.
Gilbody, S., Littlewood, E., et al. (2015). Computerised cognitive behaviour therapy (cCBT) as treatment for depression in primary care (REEACT trial): large scale pragmatic randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 351.
Guille, C., Zhao, Z., et al. (2015). Web-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for the prevention of suicidal ideation in medical interns: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 1-7.
Sorensen Hoifodt, R., Mittner, M., et al. (2015). Predictors of Response to Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With High-Intensity Face-to-Face Therapist Guidance for Depression: A Bayesian Analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17(9), 1-22.
Kolstrup, N. (2014). The Internet as a medium for delivering treatment for depression. Possibilities and challenges highlighted by our experiences with MoodGYM. Tidsskrift for Forskning i Sygdom og Samfund, 21, 19-36.
Lillevoll, K. R., Vangberg, H. C., et al. (2014). Uptake and adherence of a self-directed internet-based mental health intervention with tailored e-mail reminders in senior high schools in Norway. BMC Psychiatry, 14, 14.
Menga, G., Ing, S. M. D., et al. (2014). Fibromyalgia: Can Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help? The Ochsner Journal, 14(3), 343-9.
Phillips, R., Schneider, J., et al. (2014). Randomized controlled trial of computerized cognitive behavioural therapy for depressive symptoms: effectiveness and costs of a workplace intervention. Psychological Medicine, 44(4), 741-52.
Schneider, J., Sarrami Foroushani, P., et al. (2014). Acceptability of online self-help to people with depression: users’ views of MoodGYM versus informational websites. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 16(3), e90.
Twomey, C., O’Reilly, G., et al. (2014). A randomized controlled trial of the computerized CBT programme, MoodGYM, for public mental health service users waiting for interventions. Br J Clin Psychol, 53(4), 433-50.
Wilhelmsen, M., Høifødt, R. S., et al. (2014). Norwegian General Practitioners’ Perspectives on Implementation of a Guided Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 16(9), e208.
Calear, A. L., Christensen, H., et al. (2013). Adherence to the MoodGYM program: outcomes and predictors for an adolescent school-based population. J Affect Disord, 147(1-3), 338-44.
Christensen, H., Farrer, L., et al. (2013). The effect of a web-based depression intervention on suicide ideation: secondary outcome from a randomised controlled trial in a helpline. BMJ Open, 3(6).
Donker, T., Batterham, P. J., et al. (2013). Predictors and moderators of response to internet-delivered Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy for depression. J Affect Disord, 151(1), 343-51.
Donker, T., Bennett, K., et al. (2013). Internet-Delivered Interpersonal Psychotherapy Versus Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults With Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15(5), e82.
Hoifodt, R. S., Lillevoll, K. R., et al. (2013). The clinical effectiveness of web-based cognitive behavioral therapy with face-to-face therapist support for depressed primary care patients: randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15(8), e153.
Lillevoll, K. R., Wilhelmsen, M., et al. (2013). Patients’ experiences of helpfulness in guided internet-based treatment for depression: qualitative study of integrated therapeutic dimensions. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15(6), e126.
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Sethi, S. (2013). Treating Youth Depression and Anxiety: A Randomised Controlled Trial Examining the Efficacy of Computerised versus Face‐to‐face Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Australian Psychologist, 48(4), 249-57.
Wilhelmsen, M., Lillevoll, K., et al. (2013). Motivation to persist with internet-based cognitive behavioural treatment using blended care: a qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry, 13, 296.
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Farrer, L., Christensen, H., et al. (2011). Internet-Based CBT for Depression with and without Telephone Tracking in a National Helpline: Randomised Controlled Trial. PLoS One, 6(11), e28099.
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Calear, A. L., Christensen, H., et al. (2009). The YouthMood Project: a cluster randomized controlled trial of an online cognitive behavioral program with adolescents. J Consult Clin Psychol, 77(6), 1021-32.
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Focus on problem areas
moodgym helps users to identify their particular areas of vulnerability – for example perfectionism, need for approval or sense of entitlement.
Users can then explore specific ways to deal with different vulnerabilities, and practice with interactive exercises and diaries.
What moodgym users are saying
“The best bit was realising that how I think is flexible, and that there are many ways to change how I think so that I can be less depressed or anxious in my life.”
“It was powerful to know that other people struggle in the same way that I do, and that there is help. I could go through at my own pace and redo any section I needed again.”
“I liked the concepts and realistic, relatable everyday examples that illustrate the concepts (as well as the solutions and examples of what that thought might sound like).”
Smart phone friendly
moodgym works on devices with different sized screens, including smart phones and tablets. Users access the program through their web browser – anywhere, and at any time – with privacy and confidentiality.
Organisations
Individuals
