After months of testing, Joyable (www.joyable.com) announced today that its online solution for overcoming social anxiety is now generally available. The company also announced that it has closed a $2.1M seed round from venture capital firms Thrive Capital and Harrison Metal.
Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Joyable is proven to reduce social anxiety in a convenient and private setting. 90 percent of Joyable clients have reported a decrease in anxiety from the program, with an average decline of 30 percent.
Social anxiety affects more than 15 million Americans, but the National Institute of Mental Health reports that 85 percent are not receiving minimally adequate treatment. Often, it's because no local help is available or because this type of anxiety is a barrier to seeing a therapist in person.
Joyable co-founders Peter Shalek and Steve Marks had personal experience with anxiety and with the difficulties of navigating traditional treatments. They developed Joyable to give everyone access to evidence-based help. 'The biggest challenges in overcoming social anxiety are starting and completing CBT, whether that's in-person with a therapist or online,' said Shalek, Joyable's CEO. 'Joyable's technology makes it easy to start a program, and our coaches help ensure that clients stick with it.'
CBT support is built into the Joyable app, based on input from a team of scientific advisors who are among the leading CBT authorities in the US. One is Dr. Richard Heimberg, currently the Thaddeus L. Bolton Professor of Psychology and Director of the Adult Anxiety Clinic at Temple University. 'CBT is one of the most effective ways to manage social anxiety, and well-designed online CBT can be just as effective as the in-person variety,' said Dr. Heimberg. 'People with social anxiety are sometimes hesitant to go to in-person office visits, and many can't get the necessary form of help from the existing mental health system, so an online option is particularly well suited for them. It can be a great opportunity to get started on moving toward a more peaceful existence.'
'Before Joyable, my social anxiety got in the way of friendships and my job, and I felt secluded,' said Joyable client Brett Redding. 'I had tried in-person therapy before and wasn't comfortable with it. The Joyable program was private and convenient, and having a coach really helped. My life has turned around 180 degrees -- I've got my confidence back again. And I still use the tools Joyable taught me every day.'
How Joyable works:
Clients sign up for the program and have the option to participate in a short introductory call with a Joyable coach, who helps encourage clients and keeps them on track.
The software guides clients through three types of CBT activities in the Joyable program:
Educational - learning about the causes of anxiety and ways to mitigate it.
Thought-based - learning to recognize and break down the thoughts that make us anxious.
Behavioral - offline activities that help clients lead the life they want. Examples are speaking up in a meeting, calling someone, or getting coffee with a friend.
Coaches check in with clients at least weekly and are available for telephone, text and email support.
The typical program lasts 12 weeks.
To learn more about Joyable, take the Social Anxiety Quiz, or sign up for a free trial, visit www.joyable.com.
Note to press: Joyable clients are available to speak about their experiences. To learn more, contact press@joyable.com.
About Joyable
Social anxiety affects more than 15 million Americans, but the National Institute of Mental Health reports that 85 percent are not receiving minimally adequate treatment. Often, it's because no local help is available or because this type of anxiety is a barrier to seeing a therapist in person. Joyable provides the most effective and affordable online solution for overcoming social anxiety. Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), it's proven to reduce social anxiety in a convenient and private setting. Joyable's technology makes it easy to start, and its coaches help ensure that clients stick with it. Learn more about Joyable or take our Social Anxiety Quiz at www.joyable.com.