BActivate vs STEPS Problem Solving Training

BActivate is a mobile phone application for adults who are participating in behavioral activation for depression. It is designed to augment psychotherapy with a healthcare professional. While BActivate can also be used independently, it is not designed to replace psychotherapy for those who need it. This application is designed to provide basic education around depression and behavioral activation and walk you through how to develop more helpful and healthy habits to improve mood through scheduling and tracking positive activities. This application includes both real-life and virtual reality activity ideas, as research has illustrated that engaging in simulated activities in virtual reality is as effective in improving mood as engaging in activities in real life. This application also includes an optional reminder function, as we know how busy people are and how helpful a reminder can be! This application is evidence-informed and based on the research of Lewinsohn and Graf (1973) and Jacobson et al. (1996) and was created by Stanford University researchers, Margot Paul, Psy.D., Kim Bullock, M.D., and Jeremy Bailenson, Ph.D. It was developed by Frederick Feraco.

STEPS (Steps To Effective Problem Solving) is a mobile app developed to help individuals apply the evidence-based problem-solving strategy taught in Problem-Solving Training (PST). PST is a metacognitive approach that teaches users a structured, step-by-step method (A-B-C-D-E-F) to break down challenges, set realistic goals, develop action plans, and evaluate outcomes. PST helps users avoid impulsive or discouraging problem-solving attempts and instead promotes self-efficacy through achievable, meaningful progress. Decades of research - including in traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and caregiver populations - support its ability to reduce distress, enhance independence, and improve problem-solving skills across diverse conditions and life challenges. The STEPS app brings this powerful strategy to users' fingertips, offering a low-cost, accessible, and scalable way to use the PST strategy independently. Designed with the cognitive and emotional needs of individuals with TBI in mind, the app also holds promise for anyone seeking a simple and effective tool to manage life's daily problems. STEPS supports personalized goal setting and real-time application of the PST method. STEPS was funded in-part by the US Department of Defense.