Transdiagnostic Online CBT vs. Care as Usual for Primary Care Patients With Common Mental Disorders

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate if online transdiagnostic cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be effective in the treatment of common mental disorders in adult primary care patients. The main aim is to investigate: if online transdiagnostic CBT yields superior symptomatic improvement compared to care-as-usual when given in a primary care context to patients with a common mental disorder. Researchers will compare online transdiagnostic CBT to primary care as usual to see if psychiatric symptoms can be reduced. Participants will be randomized to online transdiagnostic CBT or primary care as usual. Participants in online transdiagnostic CBT will receive a cognitive behavioral treatment provided through a secure web platform in which psychoeducation, worksheets, and exercises are presented in online modules similar to chapters in a book. Participants will receive weekly written feedback on their work and progress by a therapist who gives gradual access to the treatment modules. The lion's share of the contact between the therapist and the patient thus takes place through messages (similar to email) in the online treatment platform. Participants randomized to care as usual will receive health care services as usual in primary care. As this comparator is intended to reflect real routine primary care, the interventions will not be controlled by the research project, but the investigators expect that participants will receive an active treatment.