Leatherhead

Depression and anxiety are common mental health issues affecting many adults. This trial evaluates an artificial intelligence tool called StratCare, designed to help the NHS Talking Therapies services offer the most suitable treatment for each patient. StratCare guides therapists through a brief assessment to recommend either brief or intensive therapy, aiming to improve recovery rates compared to the usual stepped care model. Participants will be adults with depression symptoms seeking treatment from NHS Talking Therapies services. Half of the participants will have their treatment guided by the StratCare app, which uses patient data and an algorithm to recommend low- or high-intensity therapy. The other half will follow the usual stepped care approach, where patients typically start with brief treatments and move to intensive therapy if needed. Treatments include up to eight sessions of low-intensity guided self-help or up to 20 sessions of high-intensity psychological therapy. During the study, participants will undergo standard clinical assessments, with data collected through the StratCare app, online or paper questionnaires, and telephone or video calls. Researchers will measure depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 at 12 months, along with anxiety, quality of life, and resource use at 6, 12, and 18 months. The study will also include interviews with therapists and participants to understand experiences with the AI-guided treatment process. The total participation duration spans at least 18 months with regular follow-ups.