Examining the Client Experience of Digital Tools in Blended Care Therapy: Qualitative Interview Study

TL;DR

This study explores how clients experience digital tools in blended care therapy, finding that they help with mental health skills while facing some challenges.

Contribution

The study provides new qualitative insights into client experiences with digital tools in blended care therapy models.

Findings

Digital tools in LCT help clients develop mental health knowledge and skills.

Clients perceive both benefits and challenges in using a range of digital tools.

Flexibility and accountability in blended care encourage continued skill practice.

Abstract

Lyra Health’s short-term blended care therapy model, Lyra Care Therapy (LCT), has demonstrated effectiveness at scale. In LCT, clients participate in synchronous telehealth sessions and asynchronous guided practice sessions, in which they are provided with digital tools to reinforce key concepts and skills. These digital tools include animated video lessons that use storytelling to show characters learning and implementing new skills from therapy, written psychoeducational materials, interactive exercises that prompt reflection and skills practice, symptom assessments, and messaging with therapists. Past research on LCT found that time spent in therapy sessions and viewing digital video lessons predicts improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms.

This study aims to explore the client experience of LCT digital tools and to understand clients’ perceived benefits and challenges of using digital tools while in LCT.

In total, 12 ethnically and racially diverse adults (5 male, 6 female, and 1 pangender) who had graduated from LCT in the previous 4 months participated in semistructured interviews. Interviews focused on experiences with the digital components of LCT (ie, video lessons, symptom assessments, and written exercises). Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analytic methods to determine the benefits and challenges associated with components of the LCT model.

In total, 3 primary themes were generated through thematic analysis. These themes centered around supporting knowledge and skill development, the benefits and challenges associated with the range of digital tools, and the combination of flexibility and accountability promoting positive change. First, we summarize the ways in which guided practice sessions allow clients to develop additional knowledge and learn skills related to their mental health and well-being. Then, we describe how the range of digital tools included in LCT presents different benefits and challenges for clients. Finally, we discuss how flexibility inherent in having both synchronous and asynchronous sessions, along with the accountability from a provider, encourages clients to continue to practice skills related to their mental health and well-being.

Results provide insights into the unique contributions of different components of the LCT model on therapeutic gains. While perceived time constraints and content preferences can impact engagement with digital tools, overall the digital tools were perceived as carrying significant value for participants in the LCT program.