Translating existing internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (iCBT), along with the use of transdiagnostic and self-guided formats, may prove to be a cost-effective option of disseminating iCBT. Only recently have encouraging findings been reported for a self-guided delivery. This study assessed the feasibility of a French and self-guided version of an existing English iCBT course, called the Wellbeing Course, for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Existing ICBT programs have not yet been delivered in French, although this language is spoken worldwide. Thirty-one participants were included in a single group pre-post open trial with a 3-month follow-up. Feasibility outcomes were attrition, treatment adherence, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy. Primary outcome measures were the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7). Nearly 75% of the participants completed the program. Over 80% of the participants provided posttreatment and follow-up data. All study completers reported that they would recommend the Wellbeing Course to a friend having similar problems. Significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression were found following treatment, consistent with earlier studies. These preliminary findings support the use of the assessed strategies to facilitate the cross-cultural dissemination of iCBT for a more universal access to quality psychological care.

Social anxiety is a common, debilitating psychological problem. In the present study, two meta-analyses examined the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety. The first meta-analysis tested whether virtual reality exposure therapy reduces social anxiety more than a waitlist control condition. The results of the first meta-analysis, consisting of six studies and 233 participants, showed a significant overall effect size, indicating that virtual reality exposure therapy was effective in reducing social anxiety. The second meta-analysis tested whether the standard treatment for social anxiety, which includes in vivo or imaginal exposure, leads to greater effects than virtual reality exposure therapy. The second meta-analysis, consisting of seven studies and 340 total participants, showed essentially no difference in effect sizes between virtual reality exposure and in vivo or imaginal exposure. The results of the two meta-analyses support the use of virtual reality in the treatment of social anxiety.

Little is known about mental images (cognitive representations with sensory qualities) in body integrity identity disorder (BIID). This study aimed to determine whether individuals with BIID experience mental images and, if so, whether they differ to those experienced by individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and healthy controls. A semi-structured interview on mental images and their qualities was delivered to a sample of 22 individuals with BIID and 19 with BDD, and 22 healthy controls. Both the BIID (n = 15, 68.2%) and BDD (n = 14, 73.7%) groups reported significantly more mental images than healthy controls (n = 3, 13.6%), but no differences between the two clinical groups were found. While mental images in BDD were focused on ‘flawed’ body parts, images in BIID involved the desired handicap. Mental images in BIID were experienced as less distressing and more sexually arousing compared to BDD. No further differences were found between the groups (e.g., regarding sensory multimodality, dominance of a specific body part). Although the two groups reported a similar frequency of mental images, images appear to serve different functions across conditions. Clinically, it may be necessary to target the positive mental images in BIID to improve treatment outcome.