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Dr. Derek Richards

Visiting Research Fellow (Psychology)
      
Profile Photo

Dr. Derek Richards

Visiting Research Fellow (Psychology)

 Derek.Richards@tcd.ie

 


Derek completed his PhD in psychology at Trinity College Dublin under the supervision of Ladislav Timulak. His PhD work built on his pioneering efforts to use technology in mental health and wellbeing that begun in early 2000's where at that time he began developing his ideas about how to usefully engage emerging technologies to support healthcare delivery, but in particular mental health and wellbeing. To begin with, he built the first online mental health community in Ireland for students at TCD. The service was developed and launched and was used widely among students at TCD. The service provided to students access to a wide range of mental health and wellbeing information, a peer support moderated forum to discuss mental health and wellbeing and also online asynchronous counselling. Students could write a submission to the counselling staff, it was reviewed and a personal reply drafted and sent to the individual, the message was stripped of any identifying information and later posted with the reply to the online community; thereby acting as a psychoeducation for the entire registered community. Post-PHD, Dr Richards spend time as a post-doc at the National University of Mexico (UNAM), working with Professor Geogrina Cardenes-Lopez at the cyberpsychology lab where he was collaborating on a number of projects at the lab, including a rollout of an online intervention for depression in Mexico. After 8 months at UNAM Dr Richards took a faculty position as Assistant Professor of research at the University Narino, Bogota, Colombia (April 2011-September 2012). This was a unique position with a brief of helping to establish a research agenda for the faculty of psychology. At this time Dr Richards engaged in securing funding from the University for research in the epidemiology of depression and plans for researching an online intervention. He also supervised a number of master's theses. On returning to Ireland in September 2012, Dr Richards began working closely with the SilverCloud team, eventually taking the decision to move fulltime to the commercial outfit in September 2013 as Director of Clinical Research and Innovation and later Chief Science Officer, his current position. He also retained his contact with academia, at first as a Research Fellow and now as a Senior Research Fellow at the School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin where he is a Co-Director of E-Mental Health Research Group. In the intervening years Dr Richards has designed and executed a number of trials of online interventions for mental health and wellbeing www.ementalhealthgroup.com people.tcd.ie/drichard
  ANXIETY   Behavior and Health   Clinical psychology   Culture and health   Depression   Emotional/Mental Health   Emotional/Mental Health--Minorities   Health Care   Health, Clinical and Counselling   Health/Medical Science--Computer Technology   Men's Health   Mental Disorders   Mental Health Services   ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH   ONLINE SYSTEMS   Philosophy of science   Psychiatry   Psychoanalysis   Psychotherapy   TECHNOLOGY AND MENTAL HEALTH   Technology Assessment/Transfer/Outreach (Hlth   Telemedicine   Therapy Evaluation
Project Title
 Feasibility, Acceptability and Satisfaction with Internet-delivered Treatment for Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Students: An Open Feasibility Trial (Minnesota)
From
2015
To
2016
Summary
Background: In recent years University counseling and health services have reported an exponential increase in yearly visits, as well as an exponential increase in total yearly clients. This trend has been observed at many universities as behavioral and mental health issues pose significant problems for many college students. Aims/objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility, acceptability and satisfaction of internet-delivered treatment for depression, anxiety and stress in university students. Methods/Design: The study is an open feasibility trial of the SilverCloud programs for depression (Space from depression), anxiety (Space from Anxiety), and stress (Space from Stress), each are 8-module internet-delivered CBT (iCBT) intervention programs. Participants are assigned a supporter who will provide weekly post-session feedback on progress and exercises. Participants will complete the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and stress sub-scale of DASS-21 as the primary outcome measures for the respective interventions (depression, anxiety and stress). Secondary outcomes include measures of acceptability and satisfaction of the intervention. Data will be collected at baseline and at posttreatment. Discussion: It is anticipated that the study will inform the researchers and service personnel of the study's efficacy as well as protocols and procedures to be employed in a future trial. In addition, it will provide insight into the students' engagement with the program, their user-experience and their satisfaction with the online delivery format while meeting the needs of services in demand.
Funding Agency
SilverCloud Health
Person Months
12
Project Title
 Low-intensity internet-delivered treatment for adults with depressive symptoms in Colombia - South America
From
2015
To
2018
Summary
Prevalence rates for depression in Central and South America are not far removed from rates reported in high-income countries. Many barriers to accessing treatments exist, such as the underdevelopment of services, waiting lists, cost of the services, and personal stigma. Internet-delivered treatments for depression have demonstrated their efficacy. It is possible that such Internet-delivered treatments could overcome some of the barriers to accessing treatment in low-income countries countries. Project Team: Alicia Salamanca, Derek Richards, Ladislav Timulak
Funding Agency
Irish Research Council
Programme
Enterprise / Academic postgraduate research grant EPSPG/2014/98
Project Type
Research
Person Months
36
Project Title
 Internet-delivered treatment: Its potential as a low-intensity community intervention for adults with symptoms of depression [with Aware Charity]
From
2012
To
2015
Summary
The study is a randomized controlled trial of an online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program for the treatment of adults with depressive symptoms compared to a waiting-list control group. The treatment consists of 8 modules of online delivered CBT, over 8 weeks, with supporters providing weekly feedback. The primary outcome is depressive symptoms, measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Secondary outcomes included quality of life indicators. Data will be collected at baseline and at post-treatment. Project team: Richards, D., Timulak, L., Doherty, G., Sharry, J., & Hayes, C.
Funding Agency
SilverCloud Health & Aware Charity
Person Months
36
Project Title
 Development of an online platform to support self-management of symptoms and promote wellbeing of people with coronary heart disease and associated long-term conditions (LTCs) [with Kings College London]
From
2014
To
2014
Summary
CVD is responsible for premature death, impaired quality of life and disproportionate service usage and costs. Psychological distress in CVD is common and associated with poor outcome. Improved management within the community is needed. Current online psychological care packages do not address the CVD symptoms and risk factors that are related to poor outcome. We will develop an online cognitive, psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic CVD-specific package to support self-management and promote wellbeing. This will improve access to holistic care while reducing costs. Project Team: Barley, E., Clifton, A., Enright, A., Lee, G., Norman, I., Richards, D., Sturt, J.
Funding Agency
Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Health Enterprise East Ltd
Programme
Small Business research Initiatives
Project Type
Development and Research
Person Months
12
Project Title
 Internet delivered treatment for generalised anxiety in routine care (TCD)
From
2013
To
2015
Summary
Generalized anxiety disorder is typically considered a chronic condition. In Europe the lifetime prevalence of GAD has been estimated at 4.3-5.9%, and a 12-month prevalence of 1.2-1.9%; yet only a very small percentage seek treatment. Several studies have reported elevated levels of anxiety and stress in university students. The current research is a naturalistic effectiveness study utilizing a randomized controlled trial design of a low-intensity internet intervention for the treatment of GAD. Research questions: First, can an online treatment for GAD be effective for an adult student population in a service-based setting? Second, what do participants find helpful and hindering in their online treatment for anxiety? Third, are participants satisfied with accessing and using an online treatment for anxiety? Fourth, what are the reasons for dropout from an online treatment?
Funding Agency
SilverCloud Health
Project Type
Research
Person Months
24

Page 1 of 4
Details Date
Ad hoc peer reviewer for: British Journal of Guidance and Counselling; Cyberpsychology and Behaviour and social Networking Journal; Journal of Affective Disorders; Counselling Psychology Review; Counselling Psychology Quarterly; Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy; Journal of Medical Internet Research; BACP Counselling and Psychotherapy Research Journal (CPR)(Special Edition - Technology in Counselling and Psychotherapy); JMIR Mental Health, among others ad hoc
Associate Editor BMC Psychiatry 2019
Chairperson of the Technology for Well-being group 2007
Member of the ESF Pool of Reviewers for the period of 01 May 2009 - 30 April 2010 2009
Evaluator for HORIZON 2020 EU funding PHC-26 ICT & Health 2014
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
French Basic Basic Basic
Portuguese Basic Basic Basic
Spanish Fluent Fluent Fluent
Details Date From Date To
Member, Technology for Well-being group 2007 2010
Member, International Society for Mental Health Online 2005 2010
Accredited Member: Irish Association for Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy 2000 2010
Associate member: Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy 2003 2010
Member, Society for Psychotherapy Research 2004 present
Member, Digital Therapeutics Alliance 2018 present
Privacy and the Platform: Human Rights and Mental Health e-Technologies in, editor(s)MacLachlan M, Ebuenyi ID, Kelly BD , Human Rights and Wrongs in Psychology and Psychiatry, Oxford, 2025, [Derek Richards], Book Chapter, IN_PRESS
Digital Interventions for Bipolar Disorder in, Springer Nature Switzerland, 2024, pp225-254 , [Enrique, Angel, Akkol-Solakoglu, Selin, Matthews, Mark, Richards, Derek], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED  DOI
C. Nadal, C. Earley, A. Enrique, C. Sas, D. Richards and G. Doherty, Patient Acceptance of Self-Monitoring on Smartwatch in a Routine Digital Therapy: a Mixed-Methods Study, ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 31, (1), 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Blackwell A.K.M., Daryan S., Roy D., Duffy D., Hisler G., Sawyer K., Ainsworth B., Richards D., Hiscock D., Papadakis S., Brown J., Munafo M.R., Jacobsen P., Aveyard P., Taylor G., IntEgrating smoking cessation treAtment into usual online psychological care for people with common mEntal illness: Protocol for an online randomised feasibility and pilot study (ESCAPE digital), Contemporary Clinical Trials, 141, 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Richards D., Artificial intelligence and psychotherapy: A counterpoint, Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Hisler G.C., Young K.S., Cumpanasoiu D.C., Palacios J.E., Duffy D., Enrique A., Keegan D., Richards D., Incorporating a deep-learning client outcome prediction tool as feedback in supported internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety: A randomised controlled trial within routine clinical practice, Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Gonzalez-Robles A., Miguel C., Richards D., Duffy D., Enrique A., A scoping review of therapist behaviors in guided digital mental health interventions, Internet Interventions, 37, 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Meurling, J., Rondung, E., Leiler, A., Wasteson, E., Andersson, G., Richards, D., Shahnavaz, S., & Bjärtå, A. , An online tiered screening procedure to identify mental health problems among refugees. , BMC Psychiatry, 23, (1), 2023, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI  URL
Lee, Chi Tak, Kelley, Sean W., Palacios, Jorge, Richards, Derek, Gillan, Claire M., Estimating the prognostic value of cross-sectional network connectivity for treatment response in depression, Psychological Medicine, 2023, p1-10 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Cumpanasoiu, Diana Catalina, Enrique, Angel, Palacios, Jorge E, Duffy, Daniel, McNamara, Scott, Richards, Derek, Trajectories of Symptoms in Digital Interventions for Depression and Anxiety Using Routine Outcome Monitoring Data: Secondary Analysis Study, JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 11, 2023, pe41815 , Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
  

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Richards, D.,, Digital Therapeutics: What's next?, Healthxl Global Gathering Event, Dublin, Ireland, 4th September, 2019, Healthxl, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richards, D., Developments in e-mental health for students, eMental Health Seminar: Technology and Student Mental Health, Dublin, Ireland, 18th June, 2019, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richards, D. , Improve Outcomes in Primary Care with Digital Therapeutics for Mental Health, 8th Annual Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care Models Summit, Orlando, Florida, 20-21st May, 2019, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richards, D.,, What is the future for mental health with advances in technology, The Future of Depression & Bipolar Disorder, Dublin, Ireland, 12th October, 2019, Aware Charity, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richards, D., Implementing iCBT into routine care: The SilverCloud experience, Bridging the Research-to-Practice Chasm in Digital Mental Health, The Banbury Center, Lloyd Harbor, New York, 6-8th October, 2019, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Corporate Sponsor Program and Microsoft, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richards, D., The relevance of Internet-delivered cognitive behaviour therapy for common mental health issues in people with long-term conditions. , MSD Conference Identifying and Managing Mental Health symptoms in patients with Chronic Disease, Dublin, Ireland, 19th September, 2018, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richards, D., Trends and opportunities in digital health, Digital Health WIT Salud, Madrid, Spain, 31st October, 2018, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richards, D., Shift left: Moore's law for healthcare, Future health Summit, Dublin, Ireland, 28th May, 2018, Invited Talk, PUBLISHED
Richards, D., Palacios, J., Barnard, K., Debunking myths regarding online health interventions: How big data drives the conversation, UK Health Show, London, England, 26th September, 2018, Oral Presentation, PUBLISHED
Enrique, A., Richards, D.,, Explore the Contribution of Internet-Delivered Interventions for Mental Health, World Congress Behavioural Health, Virginia, Washington, 16th October, 2018, Oral Presentation, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 4
Award Date
SilverCloud Health funded Research Fellowship 2013-2020
One in four people will be affected by a mental health condition in any given year.. Increasing global awareness of the prevalence of mental health conditions has made prevention and treatment a public health priority. Yet, current in-person clinical treatments are labor intensive, have limited availability, and often costly, creating long wait times and other barriers for those seeking access to the treatments they need. To meet the growing demand for effective and sustainable mental healthcare services, digitally-delivered psychotherapy interventions offer increased access to evidence-based care. Among these, Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) has emerged as the primary method to provide accessible, scalable, digital behavioral healthcare.  Digital healths contribution to mental and behavioural healthcare has been significant, but we also know that we have most likely only begun to scratch the surface of the potential that current and emerging technologies can offer. It is a fascinating and innovative time for psychological science as it embraces technology to support the dissemination and greater access and reach to evidence-based treatments, preventative programmes and for the first time the potential to globalise these efforts. Breakthrough advances in AI and machine learning technology can be used to further enhance these comprehensive digital services by more effectively personalizing digital interventions. Understanding patient engagement and what components of the CBT-based intervention work for different groups of patients can help personalize the delivery of CBT-based interventions to minimize drop-out and improve patient outcomes, as well as enable healthcare professionals to triage patients at an earlier stage. In addition, the session will detail how a human-centric approach to AI and machine learning can assist in the detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of mental health conditions. I am very interested in the development, implementation and research of technology-delivered interventions for mental health problems. In particular, some of the current areas of interest include: Efficacy and effectiveness of digital health interventions Qualitative psychological experiences of service users and supporters Long-term conditions management Cultural adaptation and personalisation of digital health interventions Implementation science & practice Machine-based learning and AI approaches to digital health Device integration and experimentation