Internet-delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (ICBT) for Post-secondary Students

All clients will receive the same materials, namely the UniWellbeing Course, which was developed at Macquarie University, Australia. The UniWellbeing Course is a transdiagnostic intervention targeting symptoms of depression and anxiety, that has been tailored for use in post-secondary students. It comprises 4 online lessons that provide psychoeducation about: symptom identification and the cognitive behavioural model; thought monitoring and challenging; de-arousal strategies and pleasant activity scheduling; graduated exposure; and relapse prevention. Seven supplementary lessons can also be accessed at any time (e.g., sleep, communication). Materials are presented in a didactic (i.e., text-based with visual images) and case-enhanced learning format (i.e., educational stories demonstrate the application of skills) with 4 lesson summaries and homework assignments that facilitate skill acquisition. Therapists will spend \~15 mins. per week/per client.

Clients assigned to the ICBT with Motivational Interviewing condition will receive access to the Planning for Change lesson before accessing Lesson 1. They will be presented with five interactive online exercises based on motivational interviewing principles (i.e. values clarification, importance ruler, looking back, confidence ruler, and looking forward). As clients complete the exercises, they are prompted to answer open-ended questions and are provided with written feedback.

"Clients assigned to the ICBT with Booster condition will receive access to a booster session one month after the end of the ICBT course. The booster session will include information about maintaining motivation, a review of the ICBT course content and skills, and information about structured problem solving. Clients will also have access to a Do-It-Yourself guide that summarizes the information in the booster session and includes worksheets for clients to practice the problem-solving skills described in the booster.~This booster session will be self-guided (ie. no therapist support is offered)."