Gerhard Andersson: Innovating psychotherapy research by using the internet

Professor Gerhard Andersson stands as a transformative pioneer in digital mental health, revolutionizing how psychological therapy reaches millions worldwide through his groundbreaking internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) research. With over 900 research papers, an h-index of 123, and recognition as Sweden's most cited psychology researcher, Andersson has fundamentally reshaped the delivery of psychotherapy by demonstrating that therapist-guided online treatments can match the effectiveness of traditional face-to-face therapy while requiring significantly less therapist time. His extraordinary career spans dual PhDs in clinical psychology and medicine, leadership of over 200 controlled trials, and mentorship of 64 doctoral graduates who now advance the field globally. Receiving the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions and the 2014 Nordic Prize in Medicine alongside Sweden's Outstanding Psychologist Award, Andersson exemplifies how innovative clinical research transforms healthcare accessibility. Featured on Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers list from 2016 to 2024, his influence extends beyond academia through the successful implementation of digital treatments in routine healthcare across Sweden and internationally. In this candid Genomic Press Interview, Andersson shares his unexpected journey from skateboarding punk musician to world-renowned scientist, revealing how two students' “crazy idea” about internet headache treatment in 1998 sparked a revolution that now brings evidence-based psychological care to underserved populations globally, while discussing his unique perspectives on combining clinical practice with research excellence, the future of AI in psychotherapy, and maintaining creativity through skateboarding and unplugged cover band music at age 59.