What is Healthsteps?

HealthSteps is a comprehensive online therapeutic system designed to facilitate the modification of unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, in the hope that it promotes a healthier sense of wellbeing. Previously known as Recovery Road, it was changed to HealthSteps to accommodate expansion into the corporate market.

The system is comprised of two series of modules that have been written and developed by psychiatrists, psychologists, and other allied health professionals. The clinically focused modules are typically 12-month programs designed to aid in the management of chronic mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Other modules are presented over a 4-week period and are targeted towards an EAP (Employee Assistance Programs) market, although they can be readily applied in other situations. For more detailed information about the programs on offer, see About the Programs.

What are the Key Features of Healthsteps?

Both module brands are designed to be used by clients and health providers alike, each system providing different features. By virtue of being internet-based, the HealthSteps system offers flexibility in health care provision, as both clients and providers may access the system from a variety of settings and times.

Clients have access to on-going psychological assessments using validated measures, psycho-educational material, scheduled sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and an automated email reminder system for session completion. In certain circumstances, clients can also record details about their medication, their adherence, and historical information. In addition, clients may determine the level of access registered providers may have to their personal information via editable privacy settings. These features may be activated or de-activated as per individual needs.

The features available to Providers endeavour to support providers in monitoring and enhancing the progress of their clients on the system. Providers can access (Privacy Settings permitting) individual client summary reports that detail the client’s adherence to therapy sessions and medications (where applicable) and progress as assessed via symptom measures. Providers may also choose to activate the e-consultation feature and communicate and monitor their clients via electronic consultations. In addition, Providers are supplied with evidence based and up to date resources aimed to enhance health care.

What Evidence is there to Support the use of Healthsteps?

HealthSteps (previously known as Recovery Road) has been applied in a number of practical and research settings. The HealthSteps infrastructure has been trialled and implemented in the mental health sector for depressive disorders and was associated with high medication adherence and reductions in symptom measures over 12-months follow-up. In addition, as shown in this figure, adherence rates for users of the (Recovery Road for) Depression module were considerably high when compared with the adherence rates for other online mental health programs.

Adaptation based on Figure 1 in Eysenbach*

HealthSteps was also implemented in a world first randomised control trial of (Recovery Road for) Bipolar Disorder. Phase one of the randomised control trials was completed in late 2007 and phase two, involving a 12-month follow-up will be complete by late 2008.

In addition, the HealthSteps system was implemented in the United States as a monitoring tool to determine the long-term mental health outcomes of hurricane survivors and the effect of a mass community intervention in a post Hurricane Katrina recovery effort. In writing to the Honourable John Howard, both United States Congress and the Governor of Louisiana acknowledged the innovative technology that was developed by Sentiens in this post-Hurricane recovery effort.

These applications of HealthSteps support its efficacy as a tool for long-term monitoring and management of chronic illness.

Feedback from users of the system has been extremely positive with comments such as:

“Encourage psychiatrists to make patients access Recovery Road. I only heard about Recovery Road from the newspaper and then told my Dr who was impressed”

“No suggestions the program for me was excellent and has helped me live a better life…”

What Modules are available via Healthsteps?

For an extensive list of all available modules and brief descriptions, see the About the Programs document on the Home Page.

How do I get started on Healthsteps?

In order to use the HealthSteps system, you must be a registered provider. To register, you will need to submit the Provider Registration form. You will then be contacted by Sentiens to verify your details and complete the registration process. Please refer to the provider start-up guide for a more detailed description of the registration and log-in process.

Contact Us

If you have any queries regarding the system, please do not hesitate to contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

* Eysenbach, G 2005, ‘The Law of Attrition’, Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 7, e11. Available from: Directory of Open Access Journals. [16 June 2008].