Headspace Releases Peer-Reviewed Findings on CBT Program for Anxiety and Depression

Photo Credit: Headspace

SAN FRANCISCO, December 1, 2025 (WELLNESS INTERVIEWS) — Digital mental health company Headspace has announced new peer-reviewed research demonstrating the impact of its Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Guided Program for Anxiety & Depression. The randomized controlled trial, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), found that participants who completed the program experienced reduced anxiety and depression symptoms, along with improved sleep quality and overall wellbeing.

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The program consists of 21 daily guided sessions ranging from five to ten minutes. The curriculum integrates CBT and mindfulness techniques and is based on a transdiagnostic framework targeting drivers of emotional disorders such as avoidance and inflexible thinking.

Headspace reported that participants who completed the program for an average of 10 minutes per day experienced a 34% decrease in anxiety symptoms as measured by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) assessments and a 34% decrease in depression symptoms as measured by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) assessments. The study also found a 30% increase in sleep quality, based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessments, along with improvements in stress, mindfulness, and overall wellbeing.

The program is positioned as part of Headspace’s broader integrated mental health model, which combines digital programs with therapy, psychiatry, coaching, and AI-driven support. The company stated that these guided programs are designed to complement clinician-provided care or be paired with tools such as AI companions to help members practice skills, apply them in daily life, and build long-term habits.

“We’ve seen that even just 10 minutes a day of guided support can make a measurable difference. At a time when many are turning to untested technology that provides quick fixes, we’re proud to offer programs grounded in science, validated by peer-reviewed studies, and personalized to each individual’s mental health journey. As Headspace continues to expand its research initiatives, our goal is to provide support that helps people put their minds first, navigate real emotions in real moments, and feel more in control of their health,” said Sarah Kunkle, Senior Director of Research at Headspace.

Headspace noted that it has more than 73 peer-reviewed studies and over 100 academic and medical collaborators evaluating its digital mental health tools. The company’s in-house research team conducts randomized controlled trials, real-world studies, and continuous quality evaluations to inform development of its mental health ecosystem for individuals, employers, and health plan partners.

For more information, visit www.headspace.com.

Source: Headspace