A Startup That Wants to Cure Social Anxiety

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/05/the-startup-that-wants-to-end-social-anxiety/392900/?single_page=true

by mxhold • 11 years ago

23 16 11 years ago

theatlantic.com

mxhold• 11 years ago

The app is Joyable: https://joyable.com/

dholowiski• 11 years ago

And it's $99 a month.

jmhain• 11 years ago

And it requires a credit card for a trial. What a load of bullshit.

basseq• 11 years ago

That blew me away. Cheaper than a therapist, I guess.

kevinskii2• 11 years ago

In the U.K., there is a version of online CBT for depression called Beating the Blues, which became popular despite only being available by prescription. “They would write you out a prescription with a web address and access code, and you’d be able to access that...”

Is there any clinical reason for doing such a thing?

formulaT• 11 years ago

I'm not sure what you mean by "clinical" in this context, but I don't think the prescription thing was a charade to add some extra placebo effect. Rather, it was probably because once you start claiming to treat depression, you are regulated like a prescription drug.

kevinskii2• 11 years ago

Sorry, what I meant was: Is there any harm in allowing just anyone to access the website? I don't understand the need for a prescription restriction.

barry-cotter• 11 years ago

Available without prescription.

https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Learn cognitive behaviour therapy skills for preventing and coping with depression New MoodGYM coming soon! Login to MoodGYM

stevemarks4• 11 years ago

In case it's not clear from the context, you don't need a prescription for Joyable either.

MoodGYM is a terrific alternative with a somewhat different focus. If you're not sure which is for you, I recommend you try both for free (MoodGYM is free and we have a 7-day free trial). Here are a few major differences:

(1) We give you a personal coach. Our clients say their coaches are key to their success, since one of the challenges of CBT is finishing it.

(2) We are specifically focused on social anxiety and tailored to be most effective for people with social anxiety.

(3) Our program is optimized for mobile devices.

xirdstl2• 11 years ago

I thought it odd to require a 30 minute call with a coach as the first step. Wouldn't that discourage potential users, who might be anxious about a phone call with a stranger to discuss these very personal issues?

stevemarks4• 11 years ago

Joyable co-founder Steve Marks here. Great question. We don't actually require the call -- it's optional. Our clients who do complete the call often cite it as one of the most important parts of the program, but we have successful clients who opt out as well.

xirdstl2• 11 years ago

You may want to update your FAQ to reflect that. As of now, it reads as if it's required. At least, that was my interpretation.

"Can I use Joyable without a coach?

All clients are assigned a coach and have a kick-off call ."

tbirdz• 11 years ago

Hi Steve! I was just wondering if Joyable's costs would be something that would be coverable by health insurance?

A Startup That Wants to Cure Social Anxiety

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