Research on the program
Background
Web-based interventions are widely recognized as an effective alternative or complement to face-to-face therapy. They have proven especially valuable in regions with limited access to psychological care.
One of the earliest and most well-researched web-based approaches is Interapy, a structured online therapy manual developed in the Netherlands. It is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and centers on therapeutic writing as a way to process traumatic experiences.
To make this evidence-based approach accessible to Arabic-speaking individuals, the program was translated, culturally adapted, and scientifically evaluated.
Within the Ilajnafsy program, this foundation has expanded to include not only trauma therapy, but also writing-based treatments for depression and writing-based counseling.
The research accompanying Ilajnafsy makes a valuable contribution to the research on web-based interventions by adding scientific evidence from Arabic speaking individuals and the SWANA-region.
Our Findings with Arabic-Speaking clients
All Ilajnafsy treatment programs are accompanied by ongoing scientific research. Over the past twenty years, thousands of Arabic-speaking clients from around the world have taken part in our clinical studies and treatment programs for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The results regarding the effectiveness of the treatment have been consistently positive:
- Significant reduction in PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, hyperarousal, and avoidance behavior
- Noticeable relief from depressive symptoms and physical complaints
- Over 80% report meaningful improvement or complete remission of symptoms
- Effective even for individuals with severe trauma or depression
- Around 80% would recommend the program to others
Before starting the treatment, all clients complete standardized questionnaires to assess their symptoms. The same questionnaires are asked to be filled out again at three and six months after completing the program. All data is collected anonymously.
Interested in reading more about our findings?
Have a look at our publications from recent years.
Ongoing Research
In addition to continuously developing and evaluating our treatment programs, we are also conducting additional research on several related topics, including:
- Cross-cutting therapeutic factors in Arabic-language online therapy
- Psychological impact of sexual violence
- Therapeutic alliance in online interventions
All studies contribute to ensuring that the program remains scientifically sound, culturally sensitive, and responsive to the real-life needs of those it serves.
Interested in learning more about our research?
Explore our publications from recent years to see the results and insights from our ongoing work.
- Conflict-related and sexual trauma in treatment-seeking Arabic-speaking men: a cross-sectional study (2024)
- Efficacy of internet-based cognitive behavioral and interpersonal treatment for depression in Arabic speaking countries: A randomized controlled trial (2025)
- An internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for adults with depression in Arabic-speaking countries: A randomized controlled trial (2024)
- Changes in trauma appraisal during brief internet-based exposure and cognitive restructuring treatment for Arabic-speaking people with PTSD (2024)
- Patterns of posttraumatic stress symptoms, their predictors, and comorbid mental health symptoms in traumatized Arabic-speaking people: A latent class analysis (2023)
- Exposure Versus Cognitive Restructuring Techniques in Brief Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Arabic-Speaking People With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Randomized Clinical Trial (2023)
- Prolonged grief disorder in Arabic-speaking treatment-seeking populations: Relationship with socio-demographic aspects, loss- and trauma-related characteristics, and mental health support (2022)
- Is only one cognitive technique also effective? Results from a randomized controlled trial of two different versions of an internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder in Arabic-speaking countries
- Should I stay or must I go? Predictors of dropout in an internet-based psychotherapy programme for posttraumatic stress disorder in Arabic (2020)
- Psychometric Properties of the Online Arabic Versions of BDI-II, HSCL-25, and PDS (2016)
- Web-Based Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in War-Traumatized Arab Patients: Randomized Controlled Trial (2015)
- Online Working Alliance Predicts Treatment Outcome for Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Arab War-Traumatized Patients (2012)
- Efficacy of an Internet-based Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Iraq: A Pilot Study (2011)