From university research to routine care
We are setting new global standards in e-mental health research. Emerging from university research projects, we remain true to our roots, focusing on innovative research of the highest quality. There is no other e-mental health company worldwide with a higher number of randomised controlled trials. Through our active research and multidisciplinary team, we aim to close the gaps in the care of mental health conditions.
Evidence-based digital care
Online therapy programmes hold enormous potential to address a variety of challenges in psychological care. They can effectively bridge waiting times, be used independently, or complement existing therapies. Their efficacy is supported by decades of research. Numerous international studies confirm the efficacy of online therapy programmes for mental health issues. It has been shown repeatedly that they can be as effective as in-person psychotherapy, thus enriching the treatment options available.
Our online therapy programmes and digital health applications (DiGA) have been developed and evaluated through extensive, long-term research by a multidisciplinary team of experts from psychology, psychotherapy, health economics, computer science, and design.
Efficacy scientifically evaluated
Our online therapy programmes have been evaluated for their efficacy in 30 randomised controlled trials. The results clearly demonstrate that using our online therapy programmes leads to sustainable improvements in mental health. Stressful and impairing symptoms can be reduced, and quality of life can be significantly enhanced. Through our innovative research projects and pioneering scientific publications, which are frequently cited, we are shaping the progress of e-mental health research and its implementation into routine care.
controlled trials
publications
Market leader in evidence-based online therapy programmes
We are pioneers in making scientifically evaluated online therapy programmes freely accessible to everyone. No other e-mental health company has conducted as much research on its online therapy programmes as HelloBetter. We especially lead with our number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) – the gold standard in efficacy studies – setting us apart from other providers.
Number of randomised controlled trials (RCT) per company
Interdisciplinary research team
In our research team, we combine scientific expertise from various fields of e-mental health research. We continuously conduct our own studies and actively participate in research on the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and implementation of online therapy programmes.
Prof. Dr. David Ebert
Dr. Elena Heber
Dr. Hanne Horvath
Dr. Alena Rentsch
Dr. Lara Ebenfeld
Mathias Harrer
Anne Etzelmüller
Marie Feiler
Vanessa Franke
Dr. Luisa Balzus
Dr. Anja Zimmer
Dr. Tommaso Ballarini
Dr. Peter Eric Heinze
Research advisory board
We are proud to collaborate with and rely on the advice of world-leading experts in the field of e-mental health.
Prof. Dr. Ron Kessler
Prof. Dr. Martin Hautzinger
Prof. Dr. Heleen Riper
Prof. Dr. Dirk Lehr
Prof. Dr. Burkhardt Funk
Prof. Dr. Matthias Berking
Prof. Dr. Anna-Carlotta Zarski
Prof. Dr. Pim Cuijpers
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Andersson
Prof. Dr. Stefan Hofmann
Contributions to e-mental-health research
With our scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, we make a significant contribution to research in the field of e-mental health. The number of citations continues to increase every year.
Psychologist, Digital Health Researcher
Dr. Peter Eric Heinze completed his PhD in 2023 at the University of Potsdam, focusing on psychotherapy preferences. He is currently training to become a psychological psychotherapist with a focus on cognitive behavioural therapy for adults. At HelloBetter, he works as a Digital Health Researcher, involved in the planning and execution of studies in the field of transdiagnostic and personalised interventions.
Psychologist, Neuroscientist, Senior Research Project Manager
Dr. Tommaso Ballarini completed his PhD in 2020 at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, in cooperation with the University of Leipzig, focusing on neuroimaging biomarkers for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. He then conducted postdoctoral research at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Bonn. His research on lifestyle and dementia has been featured by renowned national and international media. In recent years, Tommaso has worked as a scientist in the healthcare industry, both in digital health and the pharmaceutical industry.
As Senior Research Project Manager at HelloBetter, he is responsible for the development and evaluation of transdiagnostic, AI-supported approaches.
Psychologist, Digital Health Researcher
Dr. Anja Zimmer completed her PhD in 2022 at the University of Basel in Switzerland, focusing on the use of virtual and augmented reality in the treatment of specific phobias.
At HelloBetter, she works as a Digital Health Researcher, involved in the planning and execution of clinical studies. She supports application procedures with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) with her scientific expertise and is responsible for the area of science communication.
Psychologist, Senior Clinical Data Analyst
Dr. Luisa Balzus completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2024 at the Humboldt University of Berlin and the interdisciplinary graduate school Berlin School of Mind and Brain. Her doctoral research focused on neurocognitive risk factors for obsessive-compulsive disorders and their potential as treatment targets. Currently, Luisa is a research associate at MSB Medical School Berlin, where she investigates risk factors and psychopathology models of mental disorders using neural markers.
At HelloBetter, she works as a Senior Clinical Data Analyst in the field of Digital Health. She is involved in the planning and evaluation of clinical studies and the analysis of Real World Evidence. She is responsible for clinical evaluation and supports the application procedures for our online therapy programmes with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and price negotiations with the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) with her scientific expertise.
Psychologist, Senior Digital Health Researcher
Vanessa Danzer studied Psychology at the LMU Munich, the University of Mannheim, and the Utrecht University, as well as Communication Science at the LMU Munich.
As a research fellow and research associate at LMU Munich, she gained extensive experience in clinical and cognitive basic research as well as healthcare research.
At HelloBetter, she works as a Senior Digital Health Researcher, involved in the planning and execution of clinical studies, and supports application procedures with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) with her scientific expertise.
Psychologist, Clinical Data Analyst
Marie Feiler completed her Master’s degree in Psychology at the Humboldt University of Berlin in 2021. As a working student, she was involved in data analysis at the interface between Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg and HelloBetter.
Since 2021, Marie has been working at HelloBetter as a Clinical Data Analyst Researcher in the field of Digital Health. She is involved in the planning and evaluation of clinical studies and Real World Evidence, and supports price negotiations for our online therapy programmes as well as application procedures with the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) with her scientific expertise. Additionally, she actively leads the Evidence Working Group at the SVDGV.
Psychological Psychotherapist, Implementation Research Lead
Anne Etzelmüller studied psychology at the Philipps University Marburg and has been a licensed psychological psychotherapist since 2018. During her research activities at the Leuphana University Lüneburg, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, and the Free University Amsterdam, she worked as a Work Package Lead in various Horizon 2020 projects of the European Commission (H-Work, MasterMind, ImpleMentAll). In her research, Anne focuses on the effectiveness of digital therapy programmes under routine conditions and their implementation.
Anne is a past elected board member of the European Implementation Collaborative (EIC) and founder of the working group “Digital Health Implementation.” Additionally, she is a visiting scientist at the Chair of Psychology & Digital Mental Health at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). At HelloBetter, she researches the facilitating and hindering factors in the implementation of digital health applications (DiGA).
Clinical Psychologist, Research Associate
Mathias Harrer is a researcher at the Technical University of Munich (Klinikum rechts der Isar) and the Free University of Amsterdam. His research focuses on technological and biostatistical methods to improve psychological interventions (predictive modelling, digital phenotyping, development of statistical software). He is the coordinator of the interest group “Meta-Analytic Psychotherapy Research and Evidence Synthesis” within the German Psychological Society (DGPs), as well as a co-developer of the “Metapsy” database for meta-analytic psychotherapy research (WHO Collaborating Centre Amsterdam). At HelloBetter, Mathias is involved as a research associate in the fields of research and artificial intelligence.
Qualification Professor, Psychological Psychotherapist
Prof. Dr. Anna-Carlotta Zarski completed her PhD in 2019 as part of the GET.ON research project at the Leuphana University Lüneburg, focusing on sexual health and dysfunctions in women. For her work, she received the Wilhelm Exner Award for Psychology for innovations in clinical and health psychology. After her postdoctoral fellowship at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg and her training as a psychological psychotherapist, she now holds the qualification professorship for eHealth in Clinical Psychology at the Philipps University Marburg. Her research on women’s sexual health significantly influenced the development and evaluation of our online therapy programme for vaginismus.
Psychologist, Lead Services
Dr. Lara Ebenfeld completed her PhD in 2020 within the GET.ON research project at the Leuphana University Lüneburg, focusing on panic disorder and agoraphobia. Following her research, she transitioned into practical application. Her research led to the development and evaluation of our online therapy programme for panic disorder and agoraphobia. At HelloBetter, Lara is responsible for the Services Team, ensuring the onboarding, support, and safety of patients within our digital health applications (DiGA) alongside a team of 40 psychologists.
Prof. Dr. Ron Kessler is McNeil Family Professor of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Professor Kessler is one of the most renowned psychiatric-oriented researchers worldwide. He works closely with the World Health Organization (WHO). With over 600 published articles Professor Kessler is one of the most cited researchers in quantitative social sciences.
Prof. Dr. Martin Hautzinger is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at Tübingen University. Professor Hautzinger is a leading and groundbreaking researcher in cognitive behavioural therapy for affective disorders in Germany. He has also authored numerous manuals and textbooks on clinical psychology and behavioural therapy, and developed the German version of the Beck Depression Inventory, a key resource for diagnosing depression.
Prof. Dr. Heleen Riper is Professor of E-Mental Health at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Professor Riper is former president of the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ISRII). She has worked on over 40 national and international research projects on the development of innovative digital concepts for the prevention and treatment of mental health problems.
Prof. Dr. Dirk Lehr is Professor of Health Psychology and Applied Biological Psychology at Leuphana University Lüneburg. A medical psychologist and psychological psychotherapist with years of experience, his research focuses on occupational health interventions, particularly in the context of stress, sleep and depressive disorders.
Prof. Dr. Burkhardt Funk is Professor of Computer Science at Leuphana University Lüneburg. His research includes looking at innovative, data-driven “quantified self” methods in e-mental health interventions.
Prof. Dr. Matthias Berking is Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Dr. Berking ranks among Germany’s top psychotherapy and emotion researchers. He is a pioneer in the research of app-based treatment methods.
Prof. Dr. Pim Cuijpers is Professor of Clinical Psychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. With more than 500 peer-reviewed publications he is one of the world’s most eminent depression researchers. Together with Professor Andersson he is regarded as a pioneer in the fields of digital psychological interventions and prevention research.
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Andersson is Professor of Clinical Psychology at Linköping University in Sweden. Professor Andersson has conducted trailblazing research on online treatments for mental health problems, and is one of the most high-profile researchers in the field.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Hofmann is Professor of Clinical Psychology at Boston University, where he heads the Psychotherapy and Emotion Research Laboratory. Prof. Dr. Hofmann is one of the leading international experts in the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression. He works at the interface between neuroscience and clinical psychology and has been one of the most cited researchers in his field since 2016.
Professor for Psychology & Digital Mental Health Care, Chief Scientific Officer
Prof. Dr. David Daniel Ebert completed his PhD in Psychology at the Philipps-University Marburg in 2013. He habilitated at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, where he led the Department of Digital Health for many years. As a renowned researcher in the field of mental health, his focus is on the development and evaluation of internet-based interventions to promote well-being and prevent depression, digital diagnostics, and implementation research. He is also dedicated to ensuring that research findings are effectively translated into practice. Additionally, he served as the long-time President of the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (ISRII). His research has been and continues to be pioneering in the development and evaluation of all our online therapy programmes.
Licensed Psychologist, Chief Commercial Officer, Business Development, Lead Sales
Dr. Hanne Horvath completed her PhD in Psychology in 2016 within the GET.ON research project at the Leuphana University Lüneburg, focusing on e-mental health related to sleep and recovery. She was awarded the Wilhelm Exner Prize for Psychology for her work. Hanne earned her diploma in Psychology from the University of Trier. Her research has significantly influenced the development and evaluation of our online therapy programmes. At HelloBetter, Hanne is responsible for business development and leads the Sales Team.
Licensed Psychologist, Chief Clinical Officer, Lead Content & Research Team
Dr. Elena Heber is a licensed psychologist who completed her PhD in 2016 at the Leuphana University Lüneburg, focusing on digital interventions for stress and depression within the GET.ON Innovation Incubator. Her groundbreaking work was awarded the Knowledge Transfer Prize, recognising the development of innovative and solution-oriented ideas as well as exemplary knowledge transfer between university and practice. She previously earned her diploma in Clinical and Occupational Psychology at the University of Konstanz. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, she deepened her expertise in e-health and the development of health behaviour change interventions. Her research has significantly influenced the development and evaluation of our online therapy programmes. As Chief Clinical Officer at HelloBetter, Elena is responsible for the development and evaluation of our online therapy programmes and leads the Content & Research Team.
Psychological Psychotherapist, Lead Content Team
Dr. Alena Rentsch is a licensed psychological psychotherapist for adults, adolescents, children, and groups. She earned her PhD in 2016 from the Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg and was awarded the ROMIUS Foundation’s Prize for Outstanding Achievements in Science and Research and the Young Scientist Award from the North German Addiction Research Network. Her research and experience as a psychological psychotherapist have significantly influenced the development and evaluation of our online therapy programmes for alcohol, chronic pain, stress and burnout, as well as sleep. At HelloBetter, she leads the multidisciplinary content team and is responsible for the further development of our online therapy programmes.
Overview of our publications
Our publications in the field of e-mental health appear in internationally leading peer-reviewed journals and reputable scientific publishers. These include, in addition to randomised controlled trials by and with associated researchers from HelloBetter on the efficacy of our online therapy programmes, secondary and cost-effectiveness analyses, case reports and feasibility studies, as well as reviews, meta-analyses, and book chapters.
