Within the framework of the CBASPersonalized concept, CBASPersonalized@home was designed as a step-down online maintenance therapy offered via the Minddistrict online platform. For patients who have already benefited from inpatient CBASPersonalized therapy, this six- to twelve-week maintenance therapy serves to extend the therapy period and prevent relapse. In particular, it aims to help patients cope well with the often challenging period after discharge and to integrate CBASP strategies and other individually important techniques into their daily lives using seven CBASP-specific modules and additional individualized exercises.

The following topics are covered in the CBASPersonalized modules: a review of the progress made during inpatient treatment, exercises to deepen understanding of the Kiesler Circle, exercises for creating a situational analysis, empathy training, and a final relapse prevention component.

In addition to providing information, all modules include specific exercises to reinforce the knowledge gained and encourage patients to apply the concepts in their everyday lives. The CBT-based supplementary lessons focus on anxiety, stress management, self-esteem, emotion regulation, and values-based behavior (according to ACT), allowing participants to continue working on the modules they selected as relevant during their inpatient stay. At the beginning and throughout the online maintenance therapy, additional videoconference-based therapy sessions with the primary therapist can be arranged. These sessions allow for the recognition of progress and, most importantly, for discussing difficulties in implementing the CBASP strategies learned during the inpatient stay in everyday life and developing solutions.

CBASPPersonalized@home was implemented in this form at the psychosomatic Schön Clinic Bad Arolsen, where trained study staff provide situational analysis feedback, and individual therapists offer two videoconference-based therapy sessions.

Currently, a pilot study is investigating the feasibility, usability, plausibility, and satisfaction with the maintenance therapy, as well as changes in depressive symptoms at pre- and post-measurement time points (Netter et al., 2019). The study aims to adapt and optimize the interventions and subsequently make them available to CBASP units and outpatient therapists as guided maintenance therapy. In the long term, such CBASP-specific maintenance therapies could potentially help prevent relapses and thus stabilize treatment success.