Paul Koeck, MD, of the online self-help program 15Minutes4Me.com, received the yearly Alfred prize from the « Flemish Union of Specialists in the Solution focused cognitive and systematic therapy, Pedagogy, and Coaching », abbreviated to the VVDO. The internet program 15Minutes4Me.com helps hundreds of people every day with Burnout, Stress, Depression, or Anxiety to treat their issues themselves in a solution focused way, through 15 minutes per day of online self-help. A first study has shown that participants have 77% less stress on average after one month, and that they are 40% happier in life. 15 Minutes 4 Me reduces the step which needs to be taken by people who do not get to a therapist, are on waiting lists, or are afraid to take the step to tell their entire story to a therapist. Other patients use this type of internet therapy as an addition to their support by their doctor or therapist. 15 minutes per day on a daily basis in order to improve your quality of life is, for many people, a small step to take and a motivational type of care. Paul Koeck, MD: "Our ultimate dream is to help millions of people to become happier and to live more solution focused by helping themselves help themselves". 15Minutes4Me.com received this reward because it brings self-help and therapy closer to the people and reduces the step which needs to be taken. When the award was handed over, Luc Isebaert, Md, said: "I believe that Paul Koeck, MD, deserves this award because he has managed to do what the founder of Solution focused therapy, Steve De Shazer, dreamed of doing in the nineties, but was never able to: developing a solution focused computer program which helps people as efficiently as real psychotherapy does". The VVDO awards this award every year to the most deserving solution focused help providing project in Flanders. Last year, in 2012, this price went to VZW Touché. In 2012, this honor went to 15Minutes4Me.com. The 'Alfred 2013' was handed out on Saturday the 16th of November 2013 in the historic Brugge on the yearly general yearly meeting. Source: Zorgzoeker.be
