Specific phobia

This study will enroll 1,000 adults with both opioid use disorder and a mental health condition. Participants will receive standard medication for opioid use disorder, with some also getting a team-based support program called MISSION. The goal is to see if MISSION helps people s…

This study tests a program called Tunawiri (meaning 'thrive') that adds mental health screening, counseling, and support to regular HIV care for pregnant and postpartum women in Kenya. The goal is to improve depression, anxiety, and HIV treatment success. Nine hundred women will …

This study tests a gamified mobile health app designed to reduce suicide risk in adults with mental disorders after they leave the hospital. Researchers will enroll 640 participants in Shenzhen, China, and use game-like features to encourage treatment adherence and follow-up visi…

This study compares two care models for treating anxiety in 556 children and teens aged 8-17. In stepped care, everyone starts with internet therapy and gets in-person help only if needed. In stratified care, participants are assigned to internet or in-person therapy based on the…

This study tests whether giving e-cigarettes to smokers with mental illness—along with optional behavioral coaching—helps them switch from regular cigarettes and lower their exposure to harmful chemicals. The trial enrolls 250 daily smokers who have tried to quit before but aren'…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS can help people with mental illness quit smoking. Forty daily smokers with psychiatric conditions will receive either TMS or standard care. The goal is to see if TMS is practical and effective in real-…

This study tests a program called SKILLS that focuses on common factors across different mental health conditions, rather than treating each disorder separately. About 60 adults with stable psychiatric diagnoses will take part. The goal is to see if this approach reduces symptoms…

This study is testing a new type of talk therapy called Process-Based Therapy (PBT) for people with anxiety. Unlike standard treatments, PBT adapts techniques from different therapies to target each person's specific struggles. Ten adults with moderate-to-severe anxiety will try …

This study compares a standard mobile cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program to a personalized version that teaches skills faster. About 100 adults aged 18-25 with anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder will use the Maya app for 20 minutes, twice a week, for six weeks. The …

This study is testing a mobile app called MAYA that teaches cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills to help older adults manage anxiety and depression. About 60 participants aged 40 and older with an anxiety or depressive disorder will use the app for at least 20 minutes, twice…

This study tests whether giving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in person, via video, or a mix of both works best for children aged 5-18 with anxiety or OCD. About 500 kids will be randomly assigned to one of three delivery methods. The goal is to find out which approach impro…

This study tests if a smartphone app called Sidekick can help teenagers with anxiety disorders practice exposure exercises between therapy sessions. About 46 teens aged 13-18 will use the app alongside their usual outpatient treatment. The goal is to see if the app is practical, …

This study tests a program called SUPERCEDE, which provides intensive case management to veterans who are at risk for suicide and receive care both from the VA and outside community providers. The goal is to improve care coordination, reduce suicidal thoughts, and improve daily f…

This pilot study tests whether adding ear acupressure (small seeds taped to ear points) to standard nicotine patches or gum can reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and anxiety in psychiatric inpatients who must stop smoking during their hospital stay. Sixty participants will be…

This study tests a 4-week online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program for women with BRCA1/2 mutations who have finished cancer treatment and still worry a lot about cancer coming back. Researchers will compare those who get therapy right away to those on a waitlist, measur…

This study is testing whether a virtual reality version of a therapy exercise is practical and helpful for adults (ages 18-65) with psychiatric disorders. Participants will try one VR session and answer questions about their experience. The goal is to see if this approach is acce…

This study tests an AI chatbot called Aurora that guides people through creating a personal life story to improve emotional well-being and identity. It includes healthy adults, adults with mental health conditions in residential care, and older adults aged 65+. The chatbot is not…

This study tests a brief group therapy that teaches people to better understand their own and others' thoughts and feelings (called mentalization). One hundred adults with anxiety or depression will be randomly assigned to this new therapy or to standard group therapy. Researcher…

This study is testing a type of talk therapy called Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT) delivered over video for people in New York who struggle with worry, overthinking, or being hard on themselves. The goal is to see if the therapy helps people better manage their emotions and fee…

This early-stage study at Yale is testing whether a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin is safe and tolerable for people whose daily life is impaired by mood, anxiety, trauma, or addiction symptoms. Fifty participants will receive the drug openly (everyone knows they get it) and be f…

This study compares two types of exposure training for people with spider phobia: in-person exposure with a real spider and videochat-based exposure where someone else handles the spider. 72 adults with spider fear will be randomly assigned to one of these treatments or a waiting…

This study tests a stepped care model for treating anxiety in children and teens aged 7-17. It starts with a low-cost, parent-focused therapy and offers more intensive treatment only if needed. The goal is to make effective care more accessible while reducing costs and therapist …

This study is developing and testing a new internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) program for children and teens aged 8-17 with anxiety disorders. The 12-week program, guided by a therapist, uses exposure therapy to help young people face their fears. Researchers …

This study looks at how well and how safely a new sleep medication, lemborexant, works for people who have both a mental health condition and trouble sleeping. About 121 adults will take the drug for 8 weeks, and researchers will track changes in their sleep quality and any side …

This study looks at whether watching Netflix or Disney shows in a small group for 90 minutes each week, over 6 weeks, can improve emotional awareness and reduce anxiety and depression. About 70 adults who have been in mental health treatment for at least 6 months will take part. …

This study tests a group therapy method called I-Reconstruction to see if it lowers anxiety in adults. Thirty-six participants will attend ten weekly online sessions and complete questionnaires about their anxiety and mood. The researchers will compare them to a group receiving u…

This study tests a new type of talk therapy called Identity-Based Transdiagnostic Therapy (IBTT) for young adults with anxiety or depression. It compares IBTT to a well-known therapy called the Unified Protocol (CBT-based). The goal is to see if IBTT is more engaging and effectiv…

This study tests a multi-sensory therapy called Heal, which uses calming sounds, gentle vibrations, and soft lighting to help detained youth (ages 12-18) manage their emotions before counseling sessions. The goal is to see if this brief, non-verbal intervention improves emotional…

This study tests whether sailing can help people with psychiatric disorders feel better. Forty adults in France will either take sailing lessons or continue their usual care. Researchers will measure changes in quality of life, mental well-being, and self-esteem to see if sailing…

This study tests whether an online, therapist-guided program for insomnia can also reduce anxiety symptoms. 98 adults with both chronic insomnia and anxiety will either start the program immediately or after a delay. The program includes sleep education, behavioural strategies, a…

This study looks at whether combining two common therapy techniques—changing negative thoughts and practicing detached mindfulness—works better than using them alone for people with anxiety or depression. Researchers will compare the effects of each technique and their order. The…

This study tests whether a parent-only therapy (SPACE) can reduce anxiety in teens, compared to a parent education support group. About 108 adolescents with anxiety disorders will participate. Parents attend 12 weekly sessions, and researchers measure teen anxiety symptoms before…

This study is testing whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) — a noninvasive device that sends sound waves to the brain — can help people with chronic back pain, opioid cravings, and anxiety. Researchers will enroll 25 adults and measure safety, mood, heart rate, and oth…

This study tests an internet-based self-help program called eConquerFear-HK for Chinese cancer survivors who have mild to moderate fear of their cancer coming back. About 48 people who finished treatment for early-stage breast or colorectal cancer will try the program. The goal i…

This study tests a new way to reduce fear in people with phobias (like spiders or snakes) without needing to consciously face what scares them. Using brain scans (fMRI), the method retrains the brain unconsciously, aiming to lower fear responses and make treatment less distressin…

This study tests whether brief, online self-guided programs can help parents of children ages 2-7 better manage their child's anxiety. About 90 parents will be randomly assigned to one of three programs. The goal is to see if these programs reduce how much parents accommodate the…

Many parents of childhood cancer survivors struggle with intense fear that their child's cancer will come back. This study tests a 7-session group therapy program, adapted from one used for adult survivors, to see if it is acceptable and helpful for parents. Thirty-six parents in…

This study investigates whether the quality of parent-adolescent communication at the start of psychiatric inpatient treatment predicts how much symptoms improve six months later. Researchers will track 60 adolescents hospitalized for depression, anxiety, or other mental disorder…

This study at the National Institute of Mental Health screens up to 16,000 people with mood or anxiety disorders, as well as healthy volunteers, to see if they can join other research studies. Participants undergo evaluations like psychiatric interviews, brain scans, and lab test…

This study compares two ways to help adults with mental health issues get follow-up care. One group gets usual care after an emergency room visit, while the other uses a new system that books a psychiatrist appointment within 48 hours through their general doctor. Researchers wil…

This study looks at whether a tool called the Decision Helper helps people with mental health conditions take a more active role in choosing their treatment. About 62 adults in Danish outpatient mental health clinics will have their consultations recorded and analyzed. The goal i…

This study looks at the mental health of 200 teenagers aged 12 to 16 who attend special educational institutes (ITEPs) in France. Researchers will use psychiatric interviews to find out how many have conditions like depression or anxiety. The goal is to better understand their ne…

This study aims to improve suicide prevention for people who move between healthcare and the criminal-legal system. Researchers will link health records, Medicaid data, and jail booking information to identify individuals at risk and coordinate care. Over 1,000 adults with past p…

This study looks at fear of cancer recurrence in people who had surgery for kidney cancer and their partners. Researchers are working with patients to create better ways to ask about and measure this fear. The goal is to improve follow-up care by understanding what matters most t…

This study tests whether a device called rTMS, which uses magnetic pulses to temporarily change brain activity, can alter how people with anxiety respond to fearful situations. Researchers will measure brain signals and reactions in 80 adults who recently started anxiety treatmen…

This study looks at whether a program with a nurse case manager can help people leaving prison visit a doctor or clinic instead of the emergency room. About 488 adults with a history of substance use and a chronic health condition will take part. Some will get extra support from …

This study tests whether combining a one-time session of brain stimulation (rTMS or electrical scalp stimulation) with emotion regulation training helps people with mood, anxiety, or related disorders better control their emotions. 240 participants will learn either cognitive res…

This study looks at whether a recovery-focused program can help people with severe mental illness living in supported housing. About 72 participants will either receive the new program or standard care. The goal is to see if focusing on personal goals improves daily functioning a…

This study uses brain imaging and a single dose of the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam to understand how people with both depression and anxiety disorders process threats differently than those with depression alone. About 165 adults will complete two sessions involving startle tests…

This study tests whether a technology called transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) can temporarily change brain activity linked to anxiety. Researchers will recruit 40 adults with anxiety disorders who recently started treatment. Participants will undergo brain imaging and then …

This study is creating a program called START-VET to help veterans with mental illness or substance use disorders who have recently left prison. Researchers will work with 20 veterans to develop transition materials and tools. The goal is to improve quality of life and reduce cri…

This observational study follows 300 adults receiving strategic psychotherapy—a short-term, goal-focused talk therapy—in private practice. Participants fill out questionnaires about their symptoms and well-being before and after treatment. The goal is to see if this therapy leads…

This study is looking for genetic markers linked to a side effect called behavioral activation—feeling overly excited or agitated—that can happen when children and youth take SSRI antidepressants for depression, anxiety, or OCD. Researchers will collect DNA from 160 participants …

This pilot study is testing whether a simple saliva test can help doctors prescribe mental health medications more safely and effectively. 200 adults in Manitoba who are starting or changing psychiatric drugs will provide a DNA sample. The results will be shared with their doctor…

This study looks at whether training psychiatric care teams to talk about sexual health with young patients (ages 15 and up) increases those conversations. Researchers will survey 770 teens hospitalized for psychiatric disorders about their sexual health and any side effects from…