The History of the Internet Psychiatry Clinic

Founding of the Internet Psychiatry Clinic

The Internet Psychiatry Clinic, or IPSY, was founded in 2007 by Nils Lindefors, Gerhard Andersson, and colleagues. It was the world’s first specialized health care unit for digital psychological treatment. Sweden had already been a leader in internet-based treatment for years, thanks in part to its early adoption of internet technologies.

The unit was established the same year the first iPhone was released. At that time, over 75% of Sweden's population had access to a computer and internet connection at home, but only 16% owned a smartphone. Nearly two decades later, thousands of patients across the country receive treatment for various psychiatric and psychological issues through IPSY, entirely in digital form. Its treatments and care processes have stood the test of time.

From the start, IPSY offered treatment for depression, social anxiety, and panic disorder. Over the years, additional treatments have been developed. Today, the unit also offers therapies for insomnia, health anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A self-directed support program for injection phobia is also available, which anyone can use independently without a therapist.

Initially, treatment was only available to residents of Stockholm County. Since the introduction of Sweden's free healthcare choice in 2015, the unit has provided treatment regardless of where patients live in the country. However, initial assessments were still conducted in person in Stockholm, requiring out-of-county patients to travel. Discussions about transitioning assessments to a remote format continued for some time. The Covid-19 pandemic ultimately drove this transition, as it did in many other areas of health care. Since 2020, the entire care process, including video-based assessments, has been fully digital, significantly improving accessibility both within and beyond Stockholm County.

Growth and Development

In the early years, the unit treated around 100 patients at a time, which was already high for a small unit. Today, it treats an average of 300 patients simultaneously, managed by approximately 12 psychologists. In addition to psychologists, the team includes two medical secretaries, a research nurse, a chief medical officer, a research and development psychologist, a care unit manager, and a deputy manager.

A Specialized and Centralized Unit for Internet-Based Treatment

From the start, IPSY has been a specialized unit focused entirely on internet-based treatments. Our staff works exclusively with internet-based treatments, except for occasional research collaborations.

This specialized focus on internet-based care has been a key success factor. The unit has maintained high levels of expertise, ensuring experienced therapists are always available to train new staff. All offered treatments are consistently active with patients, maintaining the unit’s momentum.

A Research-Oriented Operation

IPSY began as a research project before becoming a formal care unit. Since its inception, research has been integral to its operations. The unit conducts substantial research and employs working methods resembling scientific experiments, characterized by precision, repeatability, and rigorous quality assurance.

Depending on how one counts, research conducted at the Internet Psychiatry Clinic has resulted in around ten doctoral dissertations and hundreds of scientific publications.

A Robust Quality System

When the unit was established, operational developer Lisa Jansson helped create a comprehensive quality system and management routines covering daily operations, evaluations, follow-ups, and development. She also introduced LEAN methodologies, which have since become a cornerstone of the unit’s approach. We have standard operating procedures for all processes, ensuring high-quality, equitable care while maintaining operational continuity despite staff turnover.

Continuity and Experience

The success of IPSY is not solely due to its quality system. The contributions of staff members like Monica Hellberg, a research nurse and treatment coordinator, have been invaluable. Monica has been part of the unit since its inception, even before its formal establishment. Over two decades, she has been the first point of contact for tens of thousands of patients, ensuring smooth operations in both clinical and research contexts. Her institutional knowledge and experience are unparalleled and have significantly contributed to the unit’s long-term success.

Looking Ahead

Digital healthcare is becoming increasingly common, and various care models are being tested across Sweden with varying success. IPSY recognizes the need for more widespread internet-based treatments while advocating for specialized units as more efficient and sustainable compared to decentralized models.

The unit continues to develop new treatments for common conditions while also focusing on rare disorders, where specialized national expertise is crucial. It also plays a key role in training providers, developing and managing treatment materials, optimizing care processes, and advancing internet-based treatment research.

Awards and Recognitions

· 2011: Svea Prize

· 2011: Golden Scalpel

· 2015: EINAR Award for Implementation in Clinical Practice (Nils Lindefors)

· 2015: Lifetime Achievement Award (Gerhard Andersson) - Swedish Behavioral Therapy Association

· 2015: Doctoral Dissertation of the Year (Erik Andersson) - Swedish Behavioral Therapy Association

· 2016: Athena Prize for Social Anxiety and Health Anxiety Treatments

· 2017: Doctoral Dissertation of the Year (Kerstin Blom) - Swedish Behavioral Therapy Association

· 2021: Doctoral Dissertation of the Year (Erik Forsell) - Swedish Behavioral Therapy Association

· 2021: Innovation of the Year (Susanna Österman, Erik Forsell, Viktor Kaldo) - Stockholm Region Innovation Fund

· 2021: Gold Star of the Year (Internet Psychiatry) - Stockholm Region Annual Report

· 2023: Lifetime Achievement Award (Cecilia Svanborg) - Swedish Behavioral Therapy Association