Posted May 11th 2026
The National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) Intervention Development team is leading a programme of research that is expanding access to evidence-based care while improving outcomes for people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions.
At the centre of the team’s success is Spring PTSD, the UK’s first guided digital intervention for PTSD, co-produced with people with lived experience.
Dr Catrin Lewis, Spring researcher at NCMH, explained:
“Developed through a rigorous programme of research, including pilot studies, a feasibility trial and a large multicentre randomised controlled trial, Spring PTSD has been shown to be as effective as face-to-face trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, with benefits sustained at one year.
“This strong evidence base has led to recognition from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which recommended the intervention for use within the NHS, which is a major milestone for a university-developed digital therapy.”
The team’s impact extends beyond research into real-world healthcare delivery
Spring PTSD is now routinely used across all seven health boards within NHS Wales, with a large-scale evaluation involving nearly 500 patients confirming its effectiveness, acceptability and scalability in everyday clinical settings. Its translation into multiple languages is also driving growing international uptake.
Building on this foundation, the team has developed a suite of new digital interventions tailored to underserved groups, including military veterans, young people, individuals with complex PTSD, and those experiencing prolonged grief disorder. One of the latest programmes, Spring PGD, has been co-created with bereavement charities to ensure it reflects diverse cultural and faith perspectives.
Professor Jon Bisson, Director of NCMH said,
“This NCMH initiative is helping to reshape service delivery. More than 100 therapists across Wales have been trained to deliver Spring interventions, embedding digital care pathways into routine practice and widening access to specialist support.
“With plans underway for a university spinout, our NCMH Intervention Development team continues to push the boundaries of digital mental health innovation – cementing Cardiff University’s position as a leader in translating research into meaningful societal impact.”
Read about the latest Spring programme on the Cardiff University news page.
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