Fifteen Years of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in Saskatchewan: Expanding Access to Evidence-Based Care
Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (ICBT) is the most researched form of digital mental health care, with strong evidence across diverse conditions. This article presents 15 years of ICBT implementation in Saskatchewan through the Online Therapy Unit (OTU), Canada's longest-running publicly funded ICBT service. With over 14,300 clients served, the OTU integrates service delivery and research, offering transdiagnostic and condition-specific courses with brief therapist support. Key facilitators include program credibility, adaptability, strong partnerships, dedicated infrastructure and personnel and a learning health system approach. Challenges include evolving technological expectations and improving public awareness. The OTU provides a compelling model for scaling ICBT.
Authors
- Vanessa Peynenburg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8686-2717)
- Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7092-9056)
Institutions
- University of Regina (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Healthcare Quarterly
- Published
- 2025-10-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.12927/hcq.2025.27735
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.54