What is deprexis?

What is deprexis?

Psychological support, always within reach

deprexis is a globally trusted, scientifically proven digital therapy designed for adults navigating depression – offering effective support for mild, moderate, and severe symptoms alike.

Think of deprexis as a psychotherapeutic dialogue that completely adapts to your unique needs, guiding you through the challenges of managing depressive symptoms. Over time, it helps you rebuild your daily activity and bring a deeper sense of well-being back into your everyday life.

Whether you use it as a standalone therapy, to complement ongoing treatment, or to bridge the gap while waiting for a therapist – deprexis lets you learn, reflect, and practice entirely at your own pace. Wherever you feel most comfortable, whether at home, on your commute, or simply relaxing on the couch.

Instantly
available

Free on
prescription

Individually
tailored

Effective &
certified

What makes deprexis unique?

Over 275,000
people worldwide

have already received support through deprexis.


15 years of clinical experience

showcase the real-world effectiveness of deprexis over the long term.

16 clinical trials

making it the most thoroughly researched digital therapy for depression.

83% of users

would recommend deprexis to a friend or loved one.

Get started with deprexis

What is a DiGA?

A DiGA (Digitale Gesundheitsanwendung) is a certified digital therapeutic that you can easily use on your smartphone, tablet, or PC. It supports you in managing specific health conditions and serves as a valuable complement to your medical or psychotherapeutic care.

Safety, quality, and data privacy are top priorities for digital health applications. As a certified medical device, deprexis bears the CE mark, fully meeting all mandatory regulatory and legal requirements.

Key takeaways at a glance:

Approved & secure

DiGAs are officially evaluated and approved by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).

On prescription

A DiGA can be prescribed directly to you by physicians or psychotherapists.



Fully covered

Once a DiGA is officially approved, public health insurance companies cover the full cost.


Daily support

DiGAs empower you to take an active role in your health through exercises or self-monitoring, just like in deprexis.

How deprexis works – Understanding thoughts, emotions, and behaviors

deprexis is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—a scientifically proven and widely utilized method for treating mental health conditions. When it comes to depression, CBT is a highly recommended form of therapy and an integral part of official medical guidelines.

How does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy work?

Our thoughts influence how we feel, act, and perceive our daily lives. In the case of depression, this can easily turn into a distressing cycle.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy addresses this exact connection, unpacking how our thoughts, feelings, and actions intertwine. It empowers us to question negative thought patterns and discover new perspectives, paving the way for lasting behavioral change.

Modern approaches to CBT – such as the ones utilized by deprexis – go a step further. It is not about labeling thoughts as "right" or "wrong" or forcing yourself to change them. Thoughts are allowed to be there. Even the difficult ones.

Instead of fighting distressing thoughts, you learn to develop a new way of relating to them, to notice them, gain some distance, and align yourself with what truly matters to you. The goal is not positive thinking at all costs, but a compassionate relationship with yourself. Enabling you to stay empowered and take action, even when difficult thoughts arise.

How does deprexis support you in this process?

deprexis translates the core principles of CBT into a digital therapy program that meets you exactly where your thoughts arise: right in the middle of your daily life.

Through interactive dialogues and a wide range of exercises, deprexis offers practical insights and tools to help you:

  • recognize unhelpful thoughts
  • pause and gain perspective
  • better understand and process your emotions
  • develop new coping strategies

A look inside the program:
compassionate, structured, made for daily life

Built on psychotherapeutic methods, deprexis has proven its effectiveness across numerous clinical trials. Through up to 10 sequential virtual conversations, the program gently guides you through insights and exercises tailored to your unique situation.

Introduction


Behavioral activation

Cognitive restructuring

Relaxation & lifestyle

Acceptance & mindfulness

Processing childhood memories

Interpersonal skills

Positive psychology

Dream work


Problem solving


What else you’ll find in deprexis:

Exercises

deprexis includes a wealth of/numerous worksheets and audio tracks designed to help boost your mood and energy levels.

Progress

Easily log your activities and symptoms through regular questionnaires, making it simpler to track how your daily routine connects to your mood.

Dialogue

deprexis adapts to your answers and personal focus areas, ensuring you get content that truly matters to you – not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Reminders

Optional email and SMS reminders provide quick recaps of what you’ve learned, keeping you motivated and on track.

Accessible
anywhere

Wherever you are – at home, on the go, or during your lunch break. Use it easily on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Tailored to your needs

We recommend 1–2 sessions per week, taking about half an hour each.


For 90
days

From your first login, you can use deprexis for 90 days. With every follow-up prescription, you get another 90 days of access.

Go at your
own pace

Take breaks whenever you need and jump back in anytime with zero pressure. There are no fixed appointments.

deprexis is right for you if you want to…

… find support while experiencing depressive symptoms.

… actively break free from the cycle of depression.

… access care whenever and wherever it suits you.

… bridge the waiting time for an in-person therapy slot.

… effectively complement your ongoing treatment or therapy.

deprexis is not a substitute for acute crisis intervention.

In the case of acute suicidal ideation or psychiatric emergencies, it is critical that you reach out immediately to a doctor, therapist, or emergency services.

Wondering who developed deprexis?

deprexis was built by a dedicated team of medical doctors, psychotherapists, and scientists. For over 15 years, it has been actively used in the treatment of depression, and with 16 clinical trials, it stands as the most thoroughly researched digital therapy worldwide. Developed alongside leading experts and renowned researchers, deprexis has been comprehensively evaluated to ensure the highest standards of care.

What the experts say

Foto von Dr. Gitta Jacob im Halbprofil

“Depression is a serious condition – but it is also highly treatable, and many of those affected benefit greatly from the right support.

That is why deprexis is so valuable. It offers a modern, evidence-based approach that is instantly available, completely bypassing long waiting lists. It empowers you to break free from negative thought patterns and helps you rediscover the brighter sides of life.”

Dr. Gitta Jacob
Head of Research & Development

What do the studies show?

The effectiveness of deprexis has been extensively researched across mild to severe depression. The program delivers proven benefits regardless of your specific care setting, whether you are receiving outpatient or inpatient treatment, and whether you use deprexis as a standalone tool or alongside ongoing psychotherapy.
50 %+
of users reported a clinically significant improvement in their depressive symptoms.1
83 %
would recommend deprexis to a friend or family member dealing with depression.1
70 %
noticed a positive therapeutic impact after just 3 weeks.1



200 %+
greater reduction in depressive symptoms when deprexis was used alongside regular psychotherapy.2
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://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782914000402?via%3Dihub

2 Berger T, Krieger T, Sude K, Meyer B, Maercker A. Evaluating an e-mental health program (“deprexis”) as an adjunctive treatment tool in psychotherapy for depression: Results of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2018;227:455–462.


Depression feels different for everyone—yet so many share the very same thoughts.

deprexis is right there with you in those moments.

User Journeys

Lachende Frau mit kurzen, schwarzen Haaren in grüner Jacke
I was immediately impressed by deprexis. The program adapts to my personal needs and takes the time to get to know me first. The bird’s-eye view exercise was especially helpful.
Miriam
63
Lächelnde blonde Frau steht auf einer Straße mit grünem Schal und schwarzer Jacke
Using deprexis was a sign for me that I was actually taking action. I knew it would help me, and it’s always better to do just a little something than to do nothing at all.

Thea
31
Lachender Mann in pinkem Hemd sitzt auf einem Bürostuhl
deprexis taught me to think outside the box. Not always sticking to the same old routines – like taking a different route for a walk than usual, or calling someone the moment they cross my mind.
Georg
55

Starting something new isn’t always easy—and it’s completely okay to ask for support.

Making decisions about your own health can feel overwhelming at times. The following guidance is designed to help you gain clarity, navigate any uncertainties, and figure out what feels right for you.

About deprexis

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 is currently available in 11 different languages to reach patients from diverse linguistic backgrounds:

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

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.

Therapy & Effectiveness

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.

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.

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.

Everyday Use

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.

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.