What is Digital Therapy and Why is it Becoming so Popular?
Digital therapy refers to the use of mobile apps, websites, and software platforms to deliver psychological interventions, often based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness, or other evidence-backed techniques. It’s become increasingly mainstream, especially since the pandemic highlighted the need for more accessible and flexible mental health care.
In Australia, mental health apps have surged in popularity. Services like Smiling Mind, developed by a Melbourne-based not-for-profit, and MyCompass, backed by the Black Dog Institute, are just two examples of homegrown digital therapy tools. These apps allow users to engage in guided activities that promote self-awareness, reduce stress, and build resilience, all from their phone.
The rise of digital therapy is also supported by research. According to a 2023 report by the Australian Digital Health Agency, one in five Australians had used a mental health app in the past year, and over 60% of those users reported a positive experience.
How Digital Therapy Apps Work and What They Offer
Digital therapy apps provide a structured yet flexible way for users to engage in therapeutic practices. Most apps deliver modules based on clinically recognised therapies, such as CBT or mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR).
Some of the core features include:
- Mood tracking and journalling: Tools to help users monitor emotions and identify triggers.
- Guided therapy sessions: Short, interactive modules designed to shift negative thinking patterns.
- Meditation and relaxation exercises: Often voiced by professionals, these reduce stress and enhance sleep.
- AI chatbots: Apps like Woebot use conversational AI to simulate supportive, human-like interactions.
- Telehealth integration: Platforms like BetterHelp or Australia’s MindSpot Clinic offer video consultations with registered psychologists.
Each of these functions contributes to the digital therapy experience, making it possible for users to receive consistent support on their own schedule. Notably, some apps now offer blended care, combining digital therapy with real-world support from mental health professionals, improving overall outcomes.
While these features are promising, the clinical strength of a digital therapy program depends on the credibility of its design. Apps reviewed or created by psychologists and health researchers, like MoodMission or This Way Up, tend to offer greater effectiveness.
Evidence Behind Digital Therapy: What the Science Says
The question of whether digital therapy actually works has been examined in dozens of academic studies. In 2021, the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry published findings that digital CBT programs significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in users with mild to moderate symptoms.
Another key study from The Lancet Psychiatry in 2022 found that guided digital therapy programs, especially those that include human check-ins or coaching, consistently outperformed self-guided ones. In Australia, platforms like This Way Up provide this hybrid model, blending therapist input with interactive online learning.
The Australian Department of Health has also funded research into the cost-effectiveness of digital therapy, finding it to be a useful tool in reducing public system strain and improving early intervention, particularly in rural and remote communities.
However, digital therapy is not recommended for acute or crisis-level conditions. People experiencing suicidal thoughts, psychosis, or complex trauma should seek traditional in-person support. Apps are best seen as a supplement or an entry point to care, not a replacement.
Digital Therapy’s Role for Australians in Need
One of the most valuable aspects of digital therapy is its accessibility. In Australia, regional and remote areas often lack consistent access to GPs, let alone mental health professionals. Digital therapy apps help bridge this gap by offering support without the need for travel or long waitlists.
For young Australians, digital therapy also provides a non-judgemental and often anonymous way to seek help. Programs like ReachOut Breathe and Smiling Mind are designed specifically for teens and young adults, with content tailored to school stress, social anxiety, and emotional regulation.
Veterans and first responders are another key demographic. The PTSD Coach Australia app, adapted from the U.S. Veterans Affairs version, provides digital therapy tools specifically for trauma-related conditions, including grounding exercises, self-assessment, and emergency support planning.
Other groups benefiting from digital therapy include:
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities, who may find culturally relevant programs like Mindarma more approachable.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with emerging digital therapy tools being co-designed with Indigenous health organisations.
- New parents, with mental health apps targeting postnatal depression and anxiety, like MumMoodBooster.
These targeted tools show the adaptability and reach of digital therapy in Australia’s diverse mental health landscape.
The Challenges and Ethical Concerns of Digital Therapy
Despite its growing popularity, digital therapy raises important concerns around privacy, personalisation, and accessibility.
A key issue is data security. Many apps collect sensitive mental health information, yet users aren’t always informed about how this data is stored or shared. Without strong protections, there’s a risk of misuse or breaches.
Bias in algorithms is another concern. If a digital therapy tool is built on limited or non-inclusive data, it may fail to respond appropriately to users from diverse backgrounds. This can lead to generic or unhelpful advice.
While digital therapy is designed to be flexible, many tools still lack true Personalisation. Users with complex or long-term conditions may find that app-based suggestions don’t go deep enough or adjust to their changing needs.
Access is also uneven. Australia’s vast geography and highly rural population mean that many people live far from in-person services. In these areas, digital therapy can be a lifeline, offering easier and more immediate support than a physical appointment. However, that benefit depends on having the right tools.
Digital Exclusion, such as limited internet, outdated devices, or low digital literacy, can still prevent people from getting the help they need.
Addressing these challenges is essential for digital therapy to be truly effective and equitable. With smarter design, stronger safeguards, and better infrastructure, these tools could extend meaningful mental health care across even the most remote parts of the country.
Digital therapy is rapidly changing the way people access mental health support. While it’s not a complete replacement for traditional care, it offers a flexible and accessible option for many Australians.
As technology continues to evolve, so too must our standards around privacy, safety, and inclusivity. With thoughtful development and proper use, digital therapy has the potential to become a valuable part of modern mental health care.
