You do not have to decide on your own whether deprexis is suitable for you. You will make this assessment together with your doctor or psychotherapist. Your symptoms, current situation, and alternative treatment options will all be taken into consideration. Together, you will find a treatment plan tailored to you and your everyday life.

The program consists of up to ten interactive conversations designed like real dialogues. Step by step, these conversations support you in recognizing unhelpful thought patterns, gaining new perspectives, strengthening your social skills, and integrating healthier habits into your daily routine.

The content is accessible at any time, allowing you to work at your own pace, whenever and wherever it suits you. This makes deprexis a supportive and flexible therapy that can be used on its own, to bridge waiting times, or as a supplement to traditional psychotherapy.

Scientific studies show that deprexis can noticeably reduce symptoms of depression and sustainably improve your overall well-being.

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.

Depression and anxiety disorders frequently occur together. You should discuss with your doctor which treatment is appropriate for your individual situation.

If your depressive symptoms are the primary concern, deprexis can provide targeted support in treating the depression. Clinical trials showed not only a significant reduction in depressive symptoms but also a significant improvement in accompanying anxiety symptoms (1–2). In a large-scale study, individuals with an additional social phobia responded exceptionally well to treating their depression with deprexis (3).

From a regulatory standpoint, deprexis is approved exclusively for the treatment of depression. However, the studies systematically investigated other psychological distresses alongside depressive symptoms – including anxiety symptoms.

If an anxiety disorder is the central focus, velibra may be the more suitable DiGA. velibra was specially developed and approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia), and social anxiety disorder.

deprexis must not be used in cases of bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia), or if there is an existing suicidal risk. A suicidal risk is present if there has been a serious intent to take one's own life within the last 90 days – regardless of a specific plan – or if a suicide attempt was made within the last 12 months.

References:

(1) Beevers CG, Pearson R, Hoffman JS, Foulser AA, Shumake J, Meyer B. Effectiveness of an internet intervention (deprexis) for depression in a united states adult sample: A parallel-group pragmatic randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2017 Apr;85(4):367-380. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000171. Epub 2017 Feb 23. PMID: 28230390. (2) Zwerenz R, Becker J, Knickenberg RJ, Siepmann M, Hagen K, Beutel ME. Online Self-Help as an Add-On to Inpatient Psychotherapy: Efficacy of a New Blended Treatment Approach. Psychother Psychosom. 2017;86(6):341-350. doi: 10.1159/000481177. Epub 2017 Nov 3. PMID: 29131090.(3) Probst T, Berger T, Meyer B, Späth C, Schröder J, Hohagen F, Moritz S, Klein JP. Social phobia moderates the outcome in the EVIDENT study: A randomized controlled trial on an Internet-based psychological intervention for mild to moderate depressive symptoms. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2020 Jan;88(1):82-89. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000441. Epub 2019 Nov 4. PMID: 31682137.

deprexis is currently available in 10 different languages to reach patients from diverse linguistic backgrounds:

• English
• German
• Swedish
• Greek
• Spanish
• Italian
• French
• Portuguese (Brazil)
• Portuguese (Portugal)
• Traditional Chinese (Taiwan)

To use deprexis on your smartphone, you need internet access and an up-to-date browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Edge, or Safari. To ensure everything displays correctly, we recommend a screen resolution of at least 320 x 568 pixels.

You will also need an email address, and if you wish, you can provide your mobile number for the SMS service. For audio content, a bandwidth of approximately 192 kbps ensures good quality.

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.

No, a prescription is only required if you wish to receive reimbursement from your health insurance provider. If you prefer to pay for deprexis yourself, you can do so without a prescription.

In detail, the following regulations apply:

Publicly insured:

• If you have public health insurance in Germany, your health insurance provider will cover the costs in full. To arrange this, you need a statutory prescription from your general practitioner (GP), a specialist, or a psychotherapist. You can use this prescription to request an activation code from your health insurance provider and use it to log in to deprexis.

Privately insured:

• If you have private health insurance, you also need a prescription to be reimbursed for the costs. It is best to submit a cost estimate to your health insurance provider in advance. Once the cost coverage is approved, you can contact diga-team@gaia-group.com to request deprexis. Afterward, you send the invoice along with your prescription to your private health insurance provider for reimbursement.

Self-payers:

• You can also purchase deprexis as a self-payer. Simply send us an inquiry by email to diga-team@gaia-group.com. You will then receive the activation code for deprexis and an invoice. The cost for a 90-day license is 297,50 € including 19% VAT.

Note: deprexis is an approved medical application for the treatment of depressive symptoms. Before use, please inform yourself about the field of application and possible restrictions to ensure that deprexis is suitable for you.

Confirmation of diagnosis:

If you have an existing diagnosis from a qualified professional, you can also contact your health insurance provider directly to request an activation code. You can download the diagnosis confirmation form here.

You can submit your prescription to your health insurance provider yourself. This can be done the traditional way by mail. However, many health insurance companies now also offer an online portal where you can upload your prescription, which often speeds up processing.

If your doctor issues an e-prescription, ask for a patient printout for redeeming a DiGA. In medical practices, this is also referred to as an "e-prescription paper token." You can easily upload this printout or a traditional prescription using our free prescription service. We will then handle the submission to your health insurance provider for you – simple and straightforward.

If you are already using the gematik e-prescription app or your health insurance company's e-prescription app, you can also submit your prescription for deprexis through it.

Publicly insured

Public health insurance providers cover the costs of deprexis in full if you receive a statutory prescription from your doctor or psychotherapist.

Privately insured

Private health insurance companies also frequently cover the costs. To be on the safe side, you can submit a cost estimate to your insurance provider in advance. You can download the cost estimate form here.

Self-payment

If your insurance does not cover the costs or if you wish to use deprexis without a prescription, you can also purchase it directly as a self-payer. The cost for a license with a 90-day term is 297,50 € including 19% VAT.

deprexis is listed as a Digital Health Application (DiGA) with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). For you, this means that if you have a corresponding diagnosis or a suspected diagnosis, all public health insurance providers in Germany will generally cover the costs of the online therapy program.

Many private health insurance companies also cover the costs of deprexis. Before you begin using the program, please check directly with your private health insurance provider to confirm whether and to what extent reimbursement is available.

Many affected individuals are unsure of how to bring up mental health issues with their doctor. These tips can help you prepare for the conversation and find the right words to describe your situation.

You could say:

• "I’m finding it difficult to put my symptoms into words right now, but I’ve noticed that I’m struggling with my mental health."
• "I am currently looking for additional psychological support."
• "I’ve heard about digital therapy programs and would like to talk about deprexis."
• "I don’t have a therapy slot yet and would like to make good use of the waiting time."

It is completely normal to feel unsure or anxious before conversations like this. It is okay to take your time, ask questions, or voice when you are finding something difficult. We recommend writing down one or two points that are important to you before your appointment. You can speak openly with your doctor about your current situation and the challenges you are facing. Most professionals are very familiar with these types of conversations. It is also a good idea to bring the deprexis information sheet to your appointment so you can review it together.

Yes, deprexis can generally be prescribed multiple times. A follow-up prescription is even recommended if you continue to benefit from using the program or wish to extend your treatment.

Since deprexis is listed as a Digital Health Application (DiGA) with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), all public health insurance providers in Germany will generally cover the costs for subsequent prescriptions – provided that a corresponding diagnosis is still present.

Each prescription is valid for 90 days. If you wish to use deprexis beyond this period, you should request a follow-up prescription from your doctor's office well before your access expires. Once your access has expired, all data within the program will be permanently and irreversibly deleted.

If you have any technical questions, simply send an email to our deprexis support team at info@deprexis.de. We are happy to help and will make sure you have a smooth experience.

• Get a prescription: Secure a prescription for deprexis from your doctor or a therapeutic practice.
• Submit your prescription: Send the prescription to your health insurance provider or simply use the free prescription service on the deprexis website.
• Receive your activation code: Your health insurance provider will then send you your personal activation code.
• Enter the code & create an account: Enter the code on the registration page of the website. Follow the instructions to set up your account. > Important: Please make sure to enter your email address correctly.
• Confirm your registration: You will receive a confirmation email. Click the link inside this email to activate your account.
• Log in: Once you have confirmed the link, your access is active. Simply log in with your credentials (email and password) at deprexis.

You will not find deprexis in the app store because it is not a traditional smartphone app. The application operates as a web-based program that you can easily access via the browser on your phone, tablet, or computer.

The web-based application meets the highest data protection standards. Since no installation via app stores is required, additional dependencies on third-party providers are eliminated. Your sensitive health data is processed directly via secure and certified server infrastructures, ensuring maximum control and security.

Convert the 16-digit code you received from your health insurance provider into your personal activation key to unlock it (this is a one-time process).

Redeem code here.

You will only need your activation key (the combination of letters and numbers) once for your registration. Later, you will simply log in using the email address and password you chose during registration.

When logging in, please make sure to enter your details correctly (keep in mind that passwords are case-sensitive). If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using the "Request password" function.

To complete your registration, it is essential to click the link in the confirmation email. Please note that this link expires after a certain period. You can request a new link here.

If you continue to experience issues with registration or logging in, please feel free to contact our support team at info@deprexis.de.

No problem! If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it here:

Reset password

To provide feedback or submit a complaint, please use our contact form. We welcome your feedback.

If you have any questions about the content of deprexis, please feel free to contact our support team via the contact form.

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

• Explanation of the connection between fulfilling, reinforcing activities and depression.
• Introduction to the concept of basic psychological needs (e.g., competence, autonomy, social connectedness).

Cognitive restructuring

• Explanation of how to manage automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions that fuel depression (e.g., catastrophizing, emotional reasoning).

Relaxation, physical activity, and lifestyle changes

• Introduction to various relaxation techniques for managing stress (e.g., breathing exercises, meditative visualization, progressive muscle relaxation).
• Importance of lifestyle changes (e.g., healthy diet, physical activity) for mental well-being.

Acceptance and mindfulness

• Explanation of the difficulties of trying to control or suppress unwanted thoughts and feelings.
• Introduction to ways of accepting such thoughts and feelings and learning how to cope with them.

Problem-solving

• Explanation of how to approach problems in a structured way as well as develop and implement potential solutions.

Childhood experiences

• A behaviorally oriented introduction to the connection between early learning experiences and the subsequent onset of depression.
• Guidance on how to process and handle problematic childhood experiences.

Interpersonal skills

• A behaviorally oriented explanation of the connection between one's own social behavior and depression.
• Insights into how to communicate positively with others and the impact this can have on your mood.

Positive psychology

• A behaviorally oriented explanation of the core elements of positive psychology (e.g., resource activation).
• Focus on personal strengths and talents.

Dreamwork (optional)

• A behaviorally oriented introduction to using dreams as an approach to problem-solving in everyday life.

Summary of key principles and techniques

• Summary of the most important principles and techniques from the previous sections.

First of all: There is no perfect way to use deprexis. Try to integrate the therapy program as naturally as possible into your daily routine, and make sure that using it always feels right for you. Many users have found it helpful to schedule small, regular windows of time to work through the content in peace.

The following tips may be helpful:

• A designated, quiet place: Establishing a routine makes it easier to use deprexis. For example, every Wednesday and Friday evening on the couch with a cup of tea.
• Regular sessions: We recommend spending at least half an hour in the program 1–2 times a week.
• Link deprexis with existing habits: For instance, right after breakfast or in the evening before brushing your teeth. Building on existing routines makes it much easier to stay on track.
• Openness to the exercises: Try to engage with the exercises and content with an open mind and without any pressure to perform.
• A "therapy journal": Write down the insights from deprexis that are particularly important to you in a dedicated notebook.
• Use reminders mindfully: Calendar entries or reminders can serve as a gentle invitation to yourself to do something good for your well-being.
• Allow yourself to take breaks: It is completely fine to pause conversations and resume them at a later time.
• You don't have to understand everything immediately: Some content takes time to sink in. You don't need to feel an immediate effect with every single exercise.
• Seek support: If any content feels distressing or raises questions, please feel free to talk about it with a professional or a trusted person.

Your doctor or psychotherapist cannot automatically view your information in deprexis. However, if you wish, you can inform them about your usage and progress at any time. This allows your treatment team to stay informed and provide you with even more targeted support.

You can use deprexis either on its own or to complement other forms of therapy. However, please note that deprexis is not intended to replace treatment by doctors or therapists, nor does it provide a basis for diagnostic or therapeutic decisions. Any changes to your current medication or treatment should always be made only after consulting your doctor or psychotherapist.

If you are experiencing a crisis or if your health condition suddenly worsens, please contact your attending doctor or psychotherapist immediately. Alternatively, you can also use the following emergency numbers in Germany:

• General emergency / Medical emergency services: 112
• Police: 110
• Crisis counseling helpline (TelefonSeelsorge): 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222

Please note: deprexis is not intended for emergencies. It is a digital self-help therapy and is not a substitute for acute care provided by medical professionals. If it is urgent, do not hesitate to seek professional help immediately – you are not alone.

deprexis offers you various tools to keep track of your therapeutic progress. These include daily mood checks and the PHQ-9 questionnaire, which you can complete every 14 days to track the course of your depression. Based on these tests and mood checks, deprexis generates regular reports summarizing your activities and progress. On a voluntary basis, you can also discuss these reports with your therapist or doctor.

The interactive exercises and conversations also provide you with continuous feedback, helping you achieve your goals and reflect on your progress.

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.

Yes, when deprexis is used in addition to traditional psychotherapy, the treatment outcomes can significantly improve.

Studies show that individuals who used deprexis alongside their therapy experienced more than twice the improvement in their depressive symptoms 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.

The recommended duration of use for deprexis is 180 days to allow the therapy to take full effect and ensure that the results remain stable. An initial prescription is valid for 90 days. Therefore, taking timely action is important: You should discuss a follow-up prescription with your attending doctor or therapist well before your current access expires.

Otherwise, your data will be permanently and irreversibly deleted after the first 90 days. A follow-up prescription enables a seamless transition, consolidates your progress so far, and ensures your existing data remains secure. Alternatively, you can continue to use deprexis as a self-paying user to retain your data.

deprexis is an internet-based therapy program that requires an internet connection and a suitable device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Unfortunately, there is no offline functionality, meaning you cannot access deprexis without an internet connection.

However, if you do not have your own internet access, there are still ways to use deprexis. For example, many public libraries provide computers with internet access. Simply find a place where you can work without distractions. All you need are your login details to sign in to deprexis. The application is highly intuitive and simply structured, making it easy to use for anyone who can read the text.

If you ever need assistance, our technical support team is here to help. You can reach them via the contact form on the website or by email at info@deprexis.de.

Yes, you can pause or cancel deprexis at any time. You can later resume the program exactly where you left off, as your progress is saved. Please note, however, that the maximum duration of use for a single prescription is 90 days.

To use deprexis beyond the initial 90 days, a follow-up prescription is required. You can request this from your attending doctor or therapist. Alternatively, you can apply for the prescription through your health insurance provider and request an additional activation code for deprexis. As soon as you receive the new code, you can redeem it as usual on the deprexis website. Your access will then be extended for another 90 days.

It is recommended to redeem the new activation code before your current access expires to ensure a seamless extension. The remaining runtime of your account can be viewed in your account settings.

It is important to know that legal regulations require personal data to be permanently and irreversibly deleted after 90 days. If your access has already expired, you will no longer have access to your information and personal data in deprexis. If you need a grace period of a few days, please contact support at info@deprexis.de.

You can also use deprexis anonymously by choosing an email address and a form of address during registration that do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about your identity (for example, one that does not contain your real name). You can set up free email accounts with providers such as GMX, Hotmail, or Gmail.

Furthermore, we take the protection of your personal data, such as your email address, very seriously and only use it to enable the use of deprexis. Your personal data will neither be passed on to third parties nor used for promotional purposes. Storage complies with statutory data protection regulations.

The processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. Personal data is treated as strictly confidential and will not be passed on to third parties. Storage complies with statutory data protection regulations. Data is stored on secure servers in Germany.

After the end of program use (90-day period of use), all personal data will be deleted automatically and without delay.

You can optionally provide your mobile number for the SMS service. This allows you to receive daily reminders or small prompts, such as tips and exercises, to help you integrate deprexis more easily into your daily routine and stay motivated.

Yes, it is possible to export your deprexis data. Within deprexis, you will find an overview of your completed conversations and the progress of your self-assessments under the "Personal data" menu item. This data can be exported using the "Create PDF" button and, if desired, shared with third parties.