Almost every day, a new discovery emerges. But where do we stand with psychology today? Currently, many new fields are appearing in psychology, especially with the arrival of high-performance technologies. In this article, we will explore digital micro-interventions, a brand-new and still little-documented field (for now) in psychology, but one that strongly resonates with Letters to the Heart (to be changed).
Digital micro-interventions are ultra-brief intervention therapies delivered on a digital platform. In short, the name speaks for itself. A few examples to illustrate this therapy include:
In short, digital micro-interventions are typically highly connected interventions that can collect vast amounts of data, enabling the app or AI to help the person as effectively as possible.
This method does not replace long-term therapy but can be very useful in the right contexts. It is used in a variety of mental health contexts, particularly when there is a need to act quickly, discreetly, personally, and with little burden. They can help regulate stress, prevent depressive relapse, support emotional self-regulation, serve as mental health prevention, or provide continuity between two therapy sessions.
Ultimately, this method is open to a very broad audience, is inexpensive, and offers gradual everyday support in reaching a general state of well-being.
Scientific articles on this subject are very recent, since this is a fast-growing field. However, most of them reach the same consensus: it works!
One study tested the efficacy and acceptability of stress management–based micro-interventions and concluded that regardless of the exact form, the method was very effective. All interventions led to a significant reduction in stress, rumination, and negative affect, with the strongest effects coming from combined interventions. Users also rated acceptability as very high. The only caveat was that they must be based on theory and empirical data (i.e., findings from past studies) to work — a point researchers criticized in current digital micro-intervention apps.
(Johnson, J. A., Zawadzki, M. J., Materia, F. T., White, A. C., & Smyth, J. M. (2022). Efficacy and acceptability of digital stress management micro-interventions. Procedia Computer Science, 206, 45–55).
Another study focused on a single platform called Cue, which automatically collects data about the user’s daily behavior (sleep, social interactions, lifestyle, etc.) through smartphone sensors. Based on this information, an algorithm detects signs of emotional or social imbalance. By analyzing trends from the previous 3 to 4 days, the platform then triggers a personalized micro-intervention at the most relevant moment, such as a suggestion to adjust daily routines or strengthen social contacts. After 16 weeks, participants with severe depressive symptoms experienced significant improvement compared to standard treatment alone. For less symptomatic participants, the effect was more modest, but benefits were still observed at week 16.
(Areán, P. A., Ly, K. H., Greene, C. J., Choudhury, T., McClure, M., Arevian, A. C., Marcu, G., & Mohr, D. C. (2022). A precision digital intervention to improve mood for people with depressive symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Digital Health, 4, 870522).
These studies show that digital micro-interventions are effective and well-accepted, especially when grounded in solid scientific evidence. Their potential is real — provided they rely on rigorous theoretical foundations. Naturally, many more studies will emerge on this nascent field in the future.
Letters to the Heart is a form of asynchronous digital micro-intervention, meaning interaction with the therapist is not direct or immediate, since the therapist needs time to respond. Despite this delay, its effectiveness is not reduced. There are currently no studies testing the Letters to the Heart concept, as it is unique and new. However, since this project is a type of digital micro-intervention, we can draw on existing studies in the field.
Not strictly, but it is very useful. A study comparing digital mental health interventions supported by AI alone versus those with human support found that the application/platform was more effective when a real therapist interacted with users. Human support was particularly helpful when depressive, stress, or anxiety symptoms were more severe.
(Werntz, A., Amado, S., Jasman, M., Ervin, A., & Rhodes, J. E. (2023). Providing Human Support for the Use of Digital Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Meta-review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, Article e42864).
Another study compared automated support (AI-based), support guided by non-clinicians (coaches, assistants, etc.), and support guided by clinicians. The results echoed what we’ve already discussed: guided support was significantly more effective than automated support — regardless of whether the guide was a clinician or not.
(Linardon, J., Cuijpers, P., Carlbring, P., Messer, M., & Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M. (2022). The effects of nonclinician guidance on effectiveness and process outcomes in digital mental health interventions: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 148(4), 287–314).
These studies demonstrate that human involvement in these digital processes plays an important role and generally produces better outcomes than relying solely on AI or pre-programmed, automated applications.
It is important to stress that this method does not replace long-term therapy. If more serious problems are present, professional support is strongly recommended. Digital micro-interventions are generally intended for lighter, more situational issues. This method also does not allow for diagnosis. They should therefore be taken with a grain of salt and used as a complement (which is in fact the most effective) to traditional therapy when needed.
Digital micro-interventions open a new path in the field of psychology, at the crossroads of technology and care. Their simplicity, accessibility, and therapeutic potential make them a valuable tool — especially when well-designed and accompanied by human support. Even though this field is still in its early stages, the first studies are promising. The aim is not to replace traditional therapies but to provide a complementary, flexible, and personalized form of support adapted to everyday needs.
