Evidence-based. Guideline-oriented. Outside the standard physician budget.
S3 guideline-compliant CBT in an interactive, virtual dialogue
deprexis is permanently listed as a Digital Health Application (DiGA). The costs are fully covered – with no impact on your physician budget.
Simply prescribe via PZN 17265872 on "Muster 16" (standard German prescription form) or as an e-prescription.
100% outside the standard physician budget: Does not impact your pharmaceutical or therapeutic product budget.
Issuing a prescription or a confirmation of diagnosis is sufficient.
Cost coverage by most private health insurers via reimbursement.
Direct start via the website / email is possible.
Rapid help for €297.50 incl. VAT (Duration of use: 90 days).
To speed up the process for your private patients, we provide pre-formulated templates for cost estimates and confirmation of diagnosis.
Through virtual dialogues, deprexis guides patients through core CBT modules – e.g., behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving, managing rumination, or self-esteem.
The program actively asks questions, reacts to responses, and thus establishes individualized focus areas. In this way, deprexis imparts knowledge, encourages positive thinking patterns, and supports the development of new behavioral patterns.
On the page "How does deprexis work?" you can learn more about its structure and mechanism of action.
Worksheets and audio tracks support you in bringing more activity and structure back into your daily routine.
You can regularly log your activities and symptoms using questionnaires.
deprexis customizes itself individually to your answers and needs.
Optional email and SMS reminders motivate you to stay on track.
With the digital therapy deprexis, every patient receives optimal support right from the start. The program can be used as a standalone intervention or alongside psychotherapy and routine medical care.
deprexis specifically addresses symptom-oriented content (e.g., behavioral activation, cognitive techniques, relapse prevention) without requiring you to schedule additional consultation hours.
This provides significant relief, particularly during waiting periods and times of high demand for care: patients can immediately begin an evidence-based treatment that is effective on its own and can also enhance the outcomes of an ongoing therapy.
By prescribing deprexis, you as a healthcare provider deliver low-threshold, sustainable emergency support without impacting your own practice budget.
Uncomplicated and relieving for your practice – transparent in billing.
Below you will find key results, study designs, and context regarding patient care.
Learn more about the paths to prescription and let us guide you through the process of prescribing deprexis.
"We at DigaDocs consider deprexis to be a truly excellent DiGA that is highly versatile. It quickly gives the impression of actually engaging in a therapeutic conversation. The topics addressed provide great preparatory work for subsequent psychotherapy, or they can reinforce and deepen the content of your ongoing psychotherapy."
Here you can find frequently asked questions about deprexis and their answers.
deprexis is a therapeutic program that has been proven in practice for over 15 years. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in a total of 16 clinical trials, making deprexis one of the most thoroughly and extensively researched digital therapies worldwide.
deprexis was developed by GAIA AG. Backing the program is an experienced, interdisciplinary team of physicians, psychologists, and psychotherapists who designed the content in collaboration with affected individuals. Furthermore, deprexis has been peer-reviewed by internationally renowned experts, among others.
deprexis is suitable for adults aged 18 and older. This ensures that the content and exercises match the respective life situation and can be used safely and effectively.
deprexis is currently available in 10 different languages to reach patients from diverse linguistic backgrounds:
deprexis has been available since 2007. The program has been continuously developed since then and has been used as a digital therapy for depression for over 15 years.
Worldwide, more than 275,000 affected individuals have already used deprexis.
deprexis has been evaluated in cooperation with renowned universities and clinics, including the University of Lübeck / UKSH, the UKE (University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the University of Bern, Bielefeld University, the University of Trier, and the University of Tübingen.
³ ¹ Meyer, B, Bierbrodt, J, et al. Effects of an Internet Intervention (Deprexis) on Severe Depression Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial. Internet Interventions. 2015; 2(1):48–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2014.12.003
⁴ ² Berger T, Krieger T, Sude K, Meyer B, Maercker A. Evaluating an e-mental health program („deprexis“) as adjunctive treatment tool in psychotherapy for depression: Results of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2018;227:455‐462.
Renowned US partners, such as the University of Texas at Austin, also participated in conducting international studies.
A curated overview of research projects and publications can be found on the GAIA website in the research & clinical trials section. Key studies (e.g., EVIDENT) and cooperation partners are detailed there and regularly updated.
In scientific literature, deprexis is classified as a widely researched digital CBT.
This recent review describes deprexis as an application "with the most extensive body of clinical evidence." The current meta-analysis confirms the efficacy of deprexis based on an analysis of 12 RCTs (n = 2,901) focusing on deprexis.
An independent evaluation (project "Trusted Health Apps") also highlights the excellent scientific evaluation of deprexis and rates its mode of action and functions as suitable for achieving its objectives.
Yes. We regularly offer free, CME-certified online training courses featuring experienced speakers from the fields of medicine and psychotherapy. Specialized professional events focusing on depression and the clinical use of deprexis routinely complement this offering.
Please refer to our training calendar for upcoming dates and registration.
Would you like a personal walkthrough of deprexis? Simply request a product demo.
deprexis is designed to guide patients through the content independently and intuitively. For technical questions, the manufacturer's support team is available to help. On the practitioner's side, a brief clarification of expectations is usually sufficient – you can use our patient flyer for this purpose.
deprexis is a comprehensive, interactive therapy program that offers a wide variety of exercises and content for individuals affected by depression. Here is an overview for you:
Behavioral activation
Cognitive restructuring
Relaxation, physical activity, and lifestyle changes
Acceptance and mindfulness
Problem-solving
Childhood experiences
Interpersonal skills
Positive psychology
Dreamwork (optional)
Summary of key principles and techniques
deprexis is not suitable for certain severe mental health conditions. These include, for example, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, or acute psychotic episodes.
deprexis should also not be used for bipolar disorders (characterized by severe fluctuations between depressive and manic phases), as well as for acute suicidal crises or other severe mood symptoms.
As a DiGA (digital health application), deprexis is listed in the BfArM directory and classified as a Risk Class I medical device (under the MDR).
Click here to learn more about the contraindications.
As with depression treatments in general, immediate medical or psychotherapeutic care is required in the event of suicidal risk or an acute crisis.
Yes – deprexis can be prescribed for severe depressive episodes. Its efficacy within this spectrum of indications (including F32.2 and F33.2) has been successfully demonstrated in multiple clinical studies.
Yes, when deprexis is used in addition to traditional psychotherapy, the treatment outcomes can improve significantly.
Studies show: Individuals who used deprexis as an adjunctive tool to their therapy experienced improvements in their depressive symptoms that were more than twice as strong compared to those who received traditional psychotherapy without deprexis.
Berger T, Krieger T, Sude K, Meyer B, Maercker A. Evaluating an e-mental health program („deprexis“) as adjunctive treatment tool in psychotherapy for depression: Results of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2018;227:455‐462.
deprexis utilizes a dialogue-based structure, tailoring its content through choice pathways and feedback to match each patient's specific symptoms, goals, and progress. Users can set their own focus areas and work at their individual pace, making the treatment highly practical and personalized.
deprexis is designed to foster self-efficacy: patients work through CBT-based content at their own pace, practice strategies applicable to daily life, and receive structured feedback, making their progress tangible.
Generally, it is recommended to use the program once or twice a week for about half an hour to an hour.
In principle, deprexis is highly accessible and low-threshold because the content can be completed flexibly at one's own pace and no additional appointments are required.
At the same time, pre-existing conditions such as severe cognitive impairments, pronounced lack of motivation, or limited media and reading literacy can make usage more difficult. In these cases, a brief assessment of individual suitability and, if necessary, additional support can be helpful.
The easiest way is a brief explanation in plain language, for example: "deprexis is a medically prescribed online program for depression that is fully covered by your health insurance. It provides you with practical exercises and discussion topics to implement in your daily life – and you can start right away."
You are welcome to use our patient flyer, which explains the process, benefits, and the steps to get started in a step-by-step format.
Since 2020, the DiGAV (Digital Health Applications Ordinance) has established binding requirements regarding safety, functionality, quality, and data protection for applications listed in the BfArM directory. Inclusion occurs following evaluation via the BfArM fast-track process.
For you as a practitioner, this means: The application meets regulatory standards, while the technical implementation and operation remain the responsibility of the manufacturer.
Your responsibility as a prescriber lies solely in the medical-therapeutic assessment: verifying the indication, considering and documenting contraindications, ensuring the application is appropriate, and confirming that patients know what to do in the event of a worsening of symptoms or an acute crisis.
deprexis can be prescribed by all physicians and psychotherapists – regardless of the specific form of therapy they offer (e.g., psychodynamic or cognitive behavioral).
Yes, hospital physicians can prescribe deprexis as part of the discharge management process (using the standard prescription form / discharge prescription). Patients then submit the prescription to their health insurance company to receive their activation code.
Similarly, physicians in a Psychiatric Outpatient Department (PIA) or a day clinic can prescribe deprexis, provided that the facility or the treating clinician holds prescribing authority.
No. deprexis does not refer patients to psychotherapists or physicians.
If additional support is needed, a medical or psychotherapeutic practice can be contacted directly. The medical appointment service at 116 117 can also assist in finding a suitable treatment option.
For a straightforward reimbursement process, patients submit the prescription along with any required additional documents – such as a cost estimate – to their private health insurance or aid office. Prior consultation with the payer ensures coverage approval.
For federal aid, the following applies: Digital applications may be eligible for aid if they are prescribed by a physician or psychotherapist and the specific aid requirements are met.
Generally, no: deprexis is designed to be highly accessible (low-threshold), requires minimal technical setups, and is intuitive for patients to use. Experience shows that both younger and older patients cope well with the program.
If questions do arise, they usually concern the access path or the activation code. In these cases, patients can contact the deprexis technical support team directly.
No, your existing practice management software is completely sufficient.
You can find deprexis in your system under PZN 17265872. The prescription process is carried out through your current practice software as quickly and easily as you are used to. No additional software is required for a "traditional" prescription.
The electronic prescription of digital health applications is being gradually integrated into the infrastructure and practice management software. The specific availability depends on the status of your PMS (practice management system) and TI (telematics infrastructure).
Where the e-prescription for digital applications is already supported, the process is fundamentally identical to standard electronic prescribing – otherwise, the traditional prescription via Form 16 remains the reliable standard method.
Currently, there is no specific, permanently billable EBM billing code for solely prescribing deprexis.
The prescription is valid for 90 calendar days starting from the initial registration. This is the standard period during which patients can log in with their activation code and use deprexis.
To ensure a seamless continuation of the therapy, an early follow-up prescription is recommended. This ensures that all progress and data are securely preserved beyond the initial 90-day period.
