Coaching Protocol

Description

From Coaching Manual:

This coaching manual is based on both the efficiency model of support for behavioral intervention technologies(1) and on peer-delivered behavioral activation. 

The Vira app prompts users to reflect on their sense of enjoyment and their sense of growth and uses passive sensing technology to identify activities and behaviors that appear to be predictive of a users' enjoyment and growth. 

Vira coaches support participants in using the Vira app and strive to maximize outcomes using the minimum amount of coaching resources necessary to achieve this aim. 

Ideally, this is accomplished by making hypotheses about the reason(s) why a person is not using or benefitting from the program (i.e., failure points) and then taking steps to address the problem thereby improving outcomes. These reasons, or failure points, fall into 5 categories and include problems with usability, engagement, knowledge, fit, and implementation (see Schueller, Tomasino, & Mohr, 2017 for an overview of the model). To enhance benefit, coaches will help participants overcome technical problems (i.e., usability issues), use various strategies to enhance motivation and encourage consistent use (engagement), promote knowledge acquisition and appropriate use of specific skills for symptoms/problems (knowledge and fit), and encourage regular application of the intervention concepts in daily life (implementation). 

Vira coaches also provide behavioral activation content following a peer-led delivery model. The coach will help the participant to set a goal of doing at least one pleasurable or rewarding activity each day. These goals can include physical activities, social activities, or other activities or hobbies that have value and meaning for the individual. Engaging in pleasurable activities like these will help break the cycle of depression and improve perspective, mood, interest level, energy and overall quality of life.

(1) https://paperpile.com/c/RgtZtI/5m5j