This app wants to make therapy more accessible in virus-hit Southeast Asia

Covid-19 is a global health crisis, and with lockdowns and movement restrictions in place in many countries, it has begun affecting people’s mental state as well.

Therapy has proven to help deal with stress, anxiety, and the other difficult emotions that come with the pandemic, but not everyone has access to it.

“A majority of people, regardless of background, have some form of personal struggle, [but they don’t] have an accessible avenue to turn to,” says Theodoric Chew, the co-founder and CEO of Intellect.

Intellect co-founder and CEO Theodoric Chew / Photo credit: Intellect

In many parts of Asia, the biggest barriers to seeking psychological help include high costs and the stigma of getting treatment, Chew observes.

He estimates that face-to-face therapy can cost between S$120 and S$250 per session on average in Singapore and typically more than US$80 per session on telepsychiatry platforms.

To make therapy more accessible, scalable, and affordable, Chew built Intellect, a Singapore-based healthtech startup focused on providing digital therapy without human intervention.

Developed by a team of psychologists and behavioral experts, the app simulates in-person therapy in a digitally guided, self-serve, and session-based approach, also known as computerized cognitive behavioral therapy.

With the method, a user will first take a psychometric test, then get a personalized training plan based on the results. The digital therapy program will last for four to six weeks, with learning paths delivered in a series of sessions.

The app, which was launched last month on both the Google Play Store and App Store, is designed not just for people who are clinically distressed but also for those who want to work on improving themselves.

Photo credit: Screenshots from the Intellect app

“There is a common misconception that therapy is meant only for those who are in dire need of professional medical help,” Chew says. But Intellect also tackles issues related to relationships, work habits, and personal behaviors, including chronic procrastination, low self-esteem, or difficulty speaking with authoritative figures, among others.

The platform works with companies that look to offer wellness or mental health benefits to their employees as well. Chew says the startup has currently partnered with over 10 companies, including tech startups and multinational corporations.

Coping with Covid-19