SPARX

Overview
Reviews

A New Zealand based online program for young people with depression, anxiety and stress.

SPARX	By University of Auckland
	Features Interactive games Teaches CBT techniques Teaches self-help skills Aimed at youth 12 to 19 years New Zealand based
Clinical review
User reviews	(0 reviews) Rate this app
Get the app from	App website Google Play iTunes
Cost	Free

What is SPARX?

SPARX is a computer program that helps young people with mild to moderate depression, anxiety or stress. It is based on a type of ‘talking therapy’ called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

At the start of SPARX you meet the Guide, who explains what SPARX is and how it could help you.
You then customise your avatar and journey to the seven provinces to complete quests that restore the world's balance and defeat the pesky negative thoughts, called Gnats.
Along the way, you will meet different characters, solve puzzles and complete mini games.
As you complete each quest, the Guide will explain how you can use your new skills to feel better, solve problems and enjoy life in the real world. Each level takes about half an hour.

For the complete app description, go to the app website and for a detailed review, see Reviews.

PROS	CONS
✔ Offers CBT skills including breathing and relaxation, activity scheduling, problem solving, cognitive skills, and social skills. ✔ Offers a range of good cognitive skills. ✔ Engaging/fun interface with games alongside educational content. ✔ Great support offered through online chat and associated help line. ✔ Can use on phone or on computer. ✔ All instructions and educational aspects are vocalised meaning instructions don’t need to be read. ✔ Culturally appropriate for NZ audience.	✘ Some skills such as activity planning and structured problem solving taught only superficially with little interactive facility to practice skills and homework tasks only loosely defined. ✘ No interaction with programme between “sessions”. ✘ Hard to access homework notebook unless you have entered the game aspect of the programme which can be time consuming. ✘ Teaches the skills of thought blocking which is not considered to be effective. ✘ Large files take time to download on both phone ap and pc version. Frustrating if you come in and out of playing. ✘ Can’t dip into different topics – have to work through entire programme to get to cognitive skills in last three lessons.

PROS

CONS

✔ Offers CBT skills including breathing and relaxation, activity scheduling, problem solving, cognitive skills, and social skills.

✔ Offers a range of good cognitive skills.

✔ Engaging/fun interface with games alongside educational content.

✔ Great support offered through online chat and associated help line.

✔ Can use on phone or on computer.

✔ All instructions and educational aspects are vocalised meaning instructions don’t need to be read.

✔ Culturally appropriate for NZ audience.

✘ Some skills such as activity planning and structured problem solving taught only superficially with little interactive facility to practice skills and homework tasks only loosely defined.

✘ No interaction with programme between “sessions”.

✘ Hard to access homework notebook unless you have entered the game aspect of the programme which can be time consuming.

✘ Teaches the skills of thought blocking which is not considered to be effective.

✘ Large files take time to download on both phone ap and pc version. Frustrating if you come in and out of playing.

✘ Can’t dip into different topics – have to work through entire programme to get to cognitive skills in last three lessons.