Generalised anxiety course (Just a Thought)

Generalised anxiety course (Just a Thought)

  • An online cognitive behavioural therapy course to help users understand and learn how to manage generalised anxiety disorder.
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Generalised anxiety course By Just A Thought

Features

  • Goal setting.
  • Diary.
  • Tracking.
  • Calculator or counter.
  • Reminders.
  • Graphs and reporting.
  • App community.
  • Data exports.
  • Downloadable worksheets including; Structured Problem Solving, Challenging Thoughts, and Challenging Assumptions and Beliefs.
Country of origin New Zealand
Clinical review 

4 star review


Read a clinical review below.

Security and privacy Does the app:
  • Collect medical information? Yes
  • Require a login? Yes
  • Have password protection? Yes
  • Have a privacy policy? Yes
  • Require internet access to use? Yes

Read more about safety and security when using apps.

Brochures:
Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ
Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ

Cost Free
Advertisements This app contains no ads.
How to access the course

 

This online CBT based course has been designed to help users understand and learn how to manage generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), utilising a case study to provide detailed psycho-education and skills training.

It consists of 6 stories based on the one case example of ‘Liz’ who suffers from generalized anxiety, detailing her journey and progress. Following each comic book form story, there is a 10-15 minute lesson for users to complete to reinforce their learning and practice skills, followed by  the Tools and Tips section containing resources and worksheets.

Prior to starting the course and each module, users are asked a series of questions relating to their emotional wellbeing, and the results can be viewed in the Dashboard section of the host website Just A Thought.

The course can be done with the support of a health professional or users can complete on their own/self guided. It is available to anyone residing in New Zealand or the Pacific Island nations.

For the complete app description, go to the course website(external link) or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS CONS 

 Written in an easy, warm and engaging style.

At the end of each story, there is a lesson for users to complete allowing reinforcement and practise of skills, following by a Tools and Tips section of 24 resources, including one audio mindfulness exercise, as well as six helpful Frequently Asked Questions handouts relating to each story, addressing concerns/challenges that may arise and what to expect. Once users commence the course, all the Tools and Tips can be accessed either via the Dashboard, or in related sections at the end of each story.

Each session begins with several validated mental health screening questionnaires and users results can be reviewed graphically  under the ‘My Health Record’ tab. This allows users to track changes in their mood, including potential improvements following completion of each module/course.

Users can either sign up for free on their own, or through their clinician e.g. GP/psychologist, who can 'refer' the user and monitor their progress and mental health questionnaire scores.

Free.

Suitable for both older adolescents and adults.

There is no mobile app, but the web page is mobile-optimised. Best suited for tablets, laptops or desktop computers.

There are several disadvantages to online CBT. These include:
– low adherence when unguided.
– the course is packed with information and this may have the potential to be overwhelming.
– lack of direct monitoring by clinicians.
– technology accessibility.
– English literacy requirements.

There is a general lack of video elements.

It's not available in languages other than English.

Clinical review

4 star review



Reviewer: Rachel Massey, Registered Psychologist
Date of review: November 2022
Comments: This online cognitive behavioural therapy course (CBT) focuses on Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The lessons are formatted in a comic book style with six different stories based on one case example, followed by a lesson users complete, ending with a relevant Tools and Tips session. It is written using friendly and engaging language, and the use of a case study combines to create a personable feel. CBT is known to be an effective treatment approach, however online courses run the risk of non-completion without supervision, and given the large amount of information provided, users may find it overwhelming when completing as self guided. In the lesson section, answers are not saved, and the user is prompted to record their answers elsewhere. This may create a barrier to completing exercises which are important in practising skills. Overall, it is a high-quality engaging course which allows the user to develop a sound understanding of what GAD is, and how it can be effectively treated with the explained CBT approach.
New Zealand relevanceIt is available to anyone residing in New Zealand or the Pacific Island nations.
Safety concerns: No. There is a helpful tab that appears on the top right corner of each page titled ‘get urgent help’ which provides users with crisis service details

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

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Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.