Paradym can be considered a complex mental health intervention and therefore we aim to develop it in line with the Medical Research council (MRC) framework for complex intervention. To begin building Paradym, we first reviewed the existing scientific literature- theories and evidence – around mental health and wellbeing. Based on this evidence-based literature, we made an assessment about what we should target to create the best interventions for our users.
Secondly, all of the content in the Paradym app has been developed based on evidence-based psychological interventions. We build on insights from Schema Therapy which is an integrative psychotherapy, combining theory and techniques from very many other evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and psychoanalysis. In addition we draw on Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Schema Therapy has not only been compared to other kinds of therapy but it has also been tested in Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) which are the gold standard of psychological research, proving it’s effectiveness.
Finally, we support all of this with personal stories of people, in real life, who have struggled and found emotional freedom. In the app, we reflect on these stories both from an evidence-based and clinical mental health perspective, to not only help users increase their understanding and knowledge of mental health topics, but also with the intention that the combination of both personal stories and evidence-based science will help empower them to be more resilient and emotionally attuned.
So far, we have evaluated previous versions of the Paradym app, which have come across as effective from a user perspective. In addition to this, we have also been able to establish preliminary evidence, based on qualitative data, that indicated that users found Paradym helpful and that it has a positive impact on their lives.
If you want more detail, check out this article. We also cite all of the sources used in app.