Our First Mental Health Program: The CBT Lab

  • Live up to your values: become more fulfilled, and productive?

Do you want to:

  • Practice evidence-based tools to deal with blockers and stressors?

  • Embark on that journey with other members of the community? 

This program emerged from the former Effective Peer Support pilots. We invite you to jump on a Zoom Call once a week with a carefully chosen peer group of 4-6 like-minded members of the Effective Altruism Community with the same goal, guided by a trained facilitator. Share personal experiences, learn with and from each other, and hold each other accountable. Together, you will boost your productivity and well-being by applying proven psychological techniques: 

  • Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT)

  • Accountability

  • Behavior Change

  • Compassion

  • Mindfulness

We pick these techniques because they’ve been shown to be the most effective in increasing resilience, productivity, and quality of life while reducing and protecting against anxiety, depression, and stress—or even symptoms of ADHD. We use a plethora of helpful tools, including a workbook, behavior change, and a wellbeing tracking. Our content is bespoke to the needs, problems, and preferences of people aiming to do the most good in the world. Overcome perfectionism, procrastination, existential dread, and other psychological burdens that come with attacking the world’s most pressing issues. 

The Process:

Our structure is similar to the Effective Altruism online
fellowships. The programs last for 8 weeks.

Every week, you’ll need 4-6 hours: 1.5-2 hours to
attend your peer session, and the rest to get
familiar with the material for that session
and to engage in ongoing behavior change.

The program stays free for those who can’t afford it.  
Usually, therapy costs $100-$200 for just one hour, and
in our program, you'll get 8 sessions plus a community
of like-minded individuals as well as experts for much less.
You will pay a deposit, that you get back when you attend
most of the sessions.
This is to ensure your and your group’s commitment.

You can learn more in this EA forum post.

In the end, you likely will be a better version of yourself, live a life more true to your values, and have formed some friendships.

In step 1, we ask you about your needs and preferences in the form you can find below when you apply as a participant. This will need roughly 15 min on your end. Filling out the form does not guarantee we can offer you a spot. Places are limited. 

You can also express your interest in becoming a facilitator by clicking below. Very little prior experience is needed. A facilitator mainly acts as a moderator and coordinator of a group.

You'll be notified as soon as we run a group or training that fits you.
We won’t share anything, with anyone, without your explicit consent. 

CBT Lab Program Demo

Peer Support Network

In response to the recent happenings and distress within the Effective Altruism space, e.g., the collapse of FTX, we have set up a Peer Support Network. You join our Peer Support Slack channel where people can share and discuss their issues, get together in groups and 1:1, as well as get support from the trained helpers as well as peers:

  • It enables you to chat with a trained helper anonymously—if you use a Nickname and an email address that doesn't contain your name.

  • You can create closed sub-channels here for a small group of people with similar issues that want to support each other more closely.

  • One can tackle specific topics in sub-channels, e.g., dealing with loss, future worries, or personal crises.

Support our Work

If you liked our programs and would like to support us in improving the mental health and wellbeing of the Effective Altruism community, please consider donating to help fund our activities. All our services are free of charge and rely on grants and donations.

Make a Suggestion

Are you excited about our mission and think you’d benefit from a different type of service than listed above? Please let us know on our contact page! We would be happy to hear your suggestions and feedback on how we can serve your better.