Mobile InterventionMI-CBTech: A Mobile Intervention for Community Integration in Homeless-Experienced Veterans With SMI

An 8-week experimental intervention that combines two treatments, Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The format of the intervention will be a combination of in-person sessions and remote elements (together called MI-CBTech) delivered via mobile phone or other smart device.

An 8-week active control intervention that combines supportive therapy and mindfulness training. The format of the intervention will be a combination of in-person sessions and remote elements delivered via mobile phone or other smart device.

Three in-person MI sessions focused on identifying goals for community integration (in the areas of vocational, recreational, social, or independent living activities) and unhelpful thinking that tends to get in the way of those goals, building motivation for goals, introducing participants to the CBT model and its potential benefits, and downloading and orienting them to the mobile phone application.

Six weeks of mobile phone application use to guide participants through CBT. Weekly content will be provided to learn and practice CBT skills to address unhelpful thinking and problem solving to address obstacles to goal attainment. There will be brief content pages worksheets to guide participants through practice. The worksheets will be tailored to each participant, framing the skills around their pre-identified goals and unhelpful thinking patterns. The application will also include access to crisis resources.

Three in-person supportive therapy sessions focused on empathic listening during client-led discussions of presenting concerns, introducing participants to mindfulness (defined as noticing and paying attention to the present moment without judgment), and downloading and orienting them to the mobile phone application. Participants will be informed of potential benefits of mindfulness, including stress reduction and increased self-awareness.

Six weeks of mindfulness training mobile application use to help participants learn to practice mindfulness through a gradual, self-guided training program. The application offers a library of information about mindfulness, 12 different audio-guided mindfulness exercises, goal-setting and tracking, customizable reminders, and access to crisis resources.