Improving digital mental health services for all.
1 in 5 Americans will have a diagnosable mental health condition this year.
84% of those with a diagnosable mental illness receive no or inadequate treatment.
169 million Americans live in Federally Designated Mental Health Shortage Areas.
Who We Are
Northwestern University's Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs) investigates effective digital mental health services. Our work focuses on implementing these solutions equitably and sustainably in healthcare systems and communities while training the next generation of digital health investigators.
Our Work
Our Research
Our faculty study behavioral intervention technologies and technology-enabled services. Learn about our ALACRITY Center, our ongoing projects and more.
Education & Events
Learn about our training efforts, including webinars, reading courses and our T32 postdoctoral fellowship in digital mental health.
Active Studies
If you or someone you know experiences depression, anxiety or binge eating, you may be eligible to participate in one of our paid research studies.
Faculty Spotlight
Jennifer Hoffmann, MD, MS
Jennifer Hoffmann, MD, MS, one of CBITs newest core faculty members, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics whose research focuses on improving care for children and adolescents who present to the emergency department with mental health crises.
Her work examines how behavioral health crises are identified, managed, and connected to ongoing care, recognizing that the emergency department is often the first or only healthcare contact for youth in crisis. Dr. Hoffmann designs and tests brief clinician-delivered and technology-based interventions, including safety-focused counseling, supportive text messaging, mobile apps, and digital single-session interventions that help extend support following discharge. Dr. Hoffmann’s lab also studies broader trends in pediatric mental health emergencies, barriers to care, and disparities in suicide risk and treatment, with the goal of developing practical, scalable solutions that improve outcomes for youth experiencing mental health crises.
“My work is driven by the belief that brief moments of support in a crisis can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Every child who comes to the emergency department deserves care that not only keeps them safe in the moment, but helps them heal long after they leave.”
