A robot-piloted spaceship weaves its way down a river in an arctic landscape. Tilt the tablet to slide into glowing purple zones and steer clear of icy walls, and tap the screen to hit flying targets. It may resemble other mobile video games, but this one isn’t just for fun. The app is a digital therapeutic called EndeavorRx—a video game for children with ADHD that is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).¹

What Are Digital Therapeutics?

Digital therapeutics, or DTx, are evidence-based treatments delivered through apps or online platforms to prevent, manage, or treat medical and mental health conditions.² EndeavorRx, for example, is designed to engage parts of the brain that help regulate focus, according to its developers.¹

Most DTx interventions require FDA authorization or clearance, meaning they’ve been reviewed for safety and effectiveness, and they typically must be prescribed. This differentiates DTx from wellness apps, which are available to the public through app stores.

In mental and behavioral health, digital therapeutics are giving people new ways to access support for conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). DTx are not a substitute for mental health counselors. The American Psychological Association calls digital therapeutics “another tool psychologists can use as part of their treatment plans, extending their reach to address the needs of patients, families, organizations, and communities.”²

So, what does this look like in practice? Here are a few more examples of DTx available today:

Rejoyn is an app designed to help adults manage major depressive disorder symptoms when used with antidepressant medication and clinician care. The six-week program combines brain-training exercises with short therapy-based lessons, aiming to improve how the brain processes thoughts and emotions to help reduce depression symptoms.³

SleepioRx is for adults with chronic insomnia. Delivered through a mobile app with video and audio lessons, SleepioRx uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to help users identify unhelpful thought patterns and habits and practice strategies for improving sleep.⁴

Freespira was developed to treat panic disorder and PTSD. Clients use a tablet, sensor, and breathing tube, allowing the program to track breathing patterns and provide real-time feedback to help reduce hyperventilation. The program involves two daily sessions over 28 days.⁵

DaylightRx is an app for adults with generalized anxiety disorder, offering video and audio lessons on a mobile device. DaylightRx uses CBT to help people practice healthy ways of managing anxiety.⁶

Advance Your Mental Health Expertise

A mental health degree program can give you the knowledge and perspective to better understand and engage with the changes happening in the DTx space. Here are some of Walden University’s online degree options:

• MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This program academically prepares you to pursue licensure as a mental health counselor. Your coursework will explore theories of counseling, crisis management, couples and family counseling, and much more.
• MS in Clinical Psychology: This online degree program provides you with a solid foundation in psychology practice, ethics, and assessment. Build skills you can use to deliver evidence-based mental health care in diverse environments.
• Master of Social Work (MSW): This CSWE-accredited online degree program emphasizes the importance of social justice, cultural competence, and community engagement. You’ll learn to assess and intervene in complex social issues, working with individuals, families, and communities to promote positive change and well-being.
• MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling: This dual degree program helps you build a comprehensive understanding of counseling theories, practices, and policies, with a focus on promoting mental health and academic success.
• MS in Applied Behavior Analysis: This program prepares you to work with children and adults with autism and behavioral challenges. You’ll learn to conduct assessments, design and implement behavioral interventions, and assess their effectiveness.
• PhD in Clinical Psychology: If you’re looking to reach the pinnacle of academic achievement in clinical psychology, this online PhD program is designed to help you meet your goals. You’ll engage in advanced study of psychological theories, research methods, and clinical applications, gaining knowledge and experience you can apply to your career.

Walden designs its online mental health degree programs to be accessible, allowing you to balance your studies with your personal and professional responsibilities. The HLC-accredited university offers robust support. There’s academic advising, technical support, career resources, and so much more. Walden helps guide you every step of the way.

If you’re ready to pursue your passion and make a meaningful difference, connect with a Walden Enrollment Specialist today to find the right mental health degree program for you.

Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering online certificate programs and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹Source: www.endeavorrx.com
²Source: www.apa.org/practice/digital-therapeutics-mobile-health
³Source: www.rejoyn.com
⁴Source: www.bighealth.com/sleepio
⁵Source: https://freespira.com
⁶Source: www.bighealth.com/daylight-rx#faq-section

Walden University’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboarddirectory or the American Association of State Counseling Boards at www.aascb.org, and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body. Learn more about professional licensure.

Walden University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditation of a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.