Preliminary Findings on Trainee-Delivered Online Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Brief-CBT) for Reducing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Working Adults in Klang Valley.

Abstract

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is well-established for managing depression, anxiety, and stress, but traditional formats can be time-intensive and less accessible for working adults. This pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of trainee-delivered online Brief-CBT among working adults in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Twelve participants were recruited using purposive sampling, though one withdrew, resulting in a final sample of 11. Six Clinical Psychology trainees from the University of Cyberjaya delivered five online sessions of Brief-CBT. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Paired-samples t tests revealed significant reductions across all outcomes, with large effect sizes (depression, d = 0.86; anxiety, d = 1.15; stress, d = 0.98). Cronbach’s α exceeded .90 for all subscales, and factor analysis supported the DASS-21’s three-factor structure, providing preliminary evidence of reliability and construct validity in this context.These findings provide pilot-level support for trainee-delivered online Brief-CBT as a feasible and scalable mental health intervention for Malaysian working adults, while underscoring the need for larger, more diverse studies with mixed-methods designs and long-term follow-up.