Guidance on defining the scope and development of text-based coaching protocols for digital mental health interventions

Emily G Lattie; Andrea K Graham; Heather D Hadjistavropoulos; Blake F Dear; Nickolai Titov; David C Mohr

doi:10.1177/2055207619896145

Guidance on defining the scope and development of text-based coaching protocols for digital mental health interventions

Digit Health. 2019 Dec 16:5:2055207619896145. doi: 10.1177/2055207619896145. eCollection 2019 Jan-Dec.

Authors

Emily G Lattie¹, Andrea K Graham¹, Heather D Hadjistavropoulos², Blake F Dear³, Nickolai Titov³, David C Mohr¹

Affiliations

¹ Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
² Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada.
³ Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Abstract

A body of literature suggests that the provision of human support improves both adherence to and clinical outcomes for digital mental health interventions. While multiple models of providing human support, or coaching, to support digital mental health interventions have been introduced, specific guidance on how to develop coaching protocols has been lacking. In this Education Piece, we provide guidance on developing coaching protocols for text-based communication in digital mental health interventions. Researchers and practitioners who are tasked with developing coaching protocols are prompted to consider the scope of coaching for the intervention, the selection and training of coaches, specific coaching techniques, how to structure communication with clients and how to monitor adherence to guidelines, and quality of coaching. Our goal is to advance thinking about the provision of human support in digital mental health interventions to inform stronger, more engaging, and effective intervention designs.

Keywords: Digital health; behavior change; coaching; engagement.

Grants and funding

K08 MH112878/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States