2 - (SYM 84) Preliminary Evidence in Support of Integrating Digital Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia into Psychotherapy for Depression and Anxiety

More than 31% of patients who start psychotherapy for mental health problems experience insomnia symptoms. Treating insomnia symptoms in the context of depression and anxiety is important because it reduces the risk of relapse and decreases the severity of the depression and anxiety symptoms. Psychotherapy for depression and anxiety does not adequately address insomnia symptoms. Although insomnia symptoms can be effectively treated using cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBTi), there is a shortage of providers trained to deliver CBTi. Digital CBTi (dCBTi) is effective and offers a potential solution to the limited number of providers. Patient outcomes and engagement are less optimal in dCBTi compared to therapist-delivered CBTi. However, supported dCBTi programs, in which there is some form of human support, have better engagement, adherence, and clinical outcomes compared to unsupported programs. Mental health providers are in an ideal position to offer this support to patients they treat for depression and anxiety. Therefore, integrating dCBTi into routine psychotherapy, in which the therapist introduces and provides support for dCBTi with patients who are receiving general psychotherapy for depression and/or anxiety, may improve patient adherence to treatment recommendations and patient engagement in treatment, and hence extend the reach of CBTi and enhance mental health outcomes. This presentation will highlight preliminary research from three studies to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of integrated dCBTi. These include (1) themes from focus groups conducted with 52 licensed therapists, who were asked to reflect on the feasibility and acceptability of integrated dCBTi, (2) data on a 4-hour workshop for licensed therapists to promote adherence and engagement support their patients undergoing integrated dCBTi, (3) which elements of dCBTi support that therapists found most valuable and actually utilize, and (4) preliminary patient feedback. Discussion will highlight the feasibility and acceptability of this novel method to increase access to high-quality, evidence-based behavioral sleep medicine treatment.