Therapists’ and Researchers’ Perspectives on a Transdiagnostic Ecological Momentary Intervention “EmoGuia” for Emotional Disorders: A Consensual Qualitative Study

Abstract

Mental health professionals’ perspectives on transdiagnostic mobile interventions for Emotional Disorders (EDs) remain underexplored, despite their potential role in integrating ecological interventions into psychological care. This study examined the usability, acceptability, perceived clinical utility, and implementation potential of EmoGuia, a smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Intervention grounded in the Unified Protocol. Using the Consensual Qualitative Research framework, focus groups involving nine therapists and researchers were conducted following a one-week app trial. Thematic findings identified 13 categories across three domains: (1) target population, (2) satisfaction and app experience, and (3) perceived utility. Usability was additionally assessed via the System Usability Scale (SUS). Participants perceived EmoGuia as intuitive, simple, and suitable for young adults with mild-to-moderate anxiety or depressive symptoms. It was perceived as useful for fostering emotional awareness, reinforcing therapeutic content, and preventing dropout. Recommended improvements included personalized feedback, simplified language, and better notification management. SUS scores indicated high perceived usability (M = 79.4; SD = 12.1). These findings support EmoGuia as a promising low-intensity, adjunctive tool for early intervention in EDs and provide implementation-relevant guidance for its iterative refinement. Patient-inclusive longitudinal studies are needed to establish acceptability, engagement, feasibility, and clinical effectiveness.