The Calming Minds project is a large-scale research effort investigating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and overthinking, worry and rumination, collectively called repetitive negative thoughts (RNT). The six-year project, led by Edward Watkins at University of Exeter and funded by Wellcome, aims to advance knowledge by investigating how exactly CBT for RNT works and by testing novel treatment strategies leveraging STAND content, which is based on CBT principles. 

Identifying which CBT strategies make the greatest impact on participants’ symptoms would deepen understanding of RNT, an area that remains poorly understood. This knowledge may help improve effectiveness of future STAND content and other digital mental health interventions by better targeting this key risk factor. 

This project will include the largest-ever international trial of treatments that directly target overthinking, worry, and rumination. In the initial phase of the project, researchers leverage adaptations of certain lessons in the STAND content library to develop multiple versions of digital CBT treatment for this purpose. The various iterations and lesson assignments will be tested at a number of study sites, including a California site at Imperial Valley College, which will be promoted as STAND at IVC.

The project represents a collaboration between University of Exeter, UCLA Depression Grand Challenge, and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität.