[meesterdude]

> despite regular calls to encourage participants to use the programmes

People aren't going to use it if it sucks or isn't giving them value. I looked into Beating the Blues a while ago - it's not exactly a great experience. Being reminded just isn't enough.

> Can an app do a substantially better job than books?

I think so.

Books are passive content that you consume in your own time. And, it certainly is helpful. But an app can do so much more towards offering a much richer, more engaging experience. But - and this is crucial - you have to get it right. And I think it is MUCH easier to get a book right, than an app. A book is just the content - an app is a manifestation of that content; if the book could talk, what would it say? ask? how would it do it and how often?

We'll see. My side project is to scratch some CBT & behavioral itches I have had with an app. I could be entirely wrong, but I wont know till I finish and see if it is of use for me.

[mercer]

Hey, any chance you'd be open to telling me a bit about what you're working on? I'm on a bit of a... journey to get beyond the 'shitty contract webdev work', and the direction I'm looking to go is technology applied to psychology (therapy and/or lifestyle, in particular). My first thought was also some CBT-related app.

[meesterdude]

Sure. Well, It's an app to help you be a better person of your own design. CBT is one of the libraries to choose from, but there are others for leadership, relationships, health and so forth.

Hrm, I would not identify it as an appification of CBT - You can use it to help implement CBT or other behavioral/cognitive changes, but the actual understanding would need to be done previously, to get the most benefit. Although I suppose even without any previous knowledge or awareness, some value could be derived.

[yellow_viper]

I think a large part of that is due to the fact that CBT therapy can feel patronising to a lot of people.