Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

 1. Written informed consent

 2. Age ≥ 18 years

 3. Outpatient status

 4. Mild or moderate depression according to PHQ-9 at the time of screening

 5. Past or present diagnosis of depression or dysthymia according to MINI

 6. Sufficient language skills (regarding both speaking and writing)

 7. Internet-access (privately at home or sufficient opportunity to access the internet regularly)

Exclusion criteria

 1. ICD-10 diagnoses: dementia, alcohol/ drug addiction; schizophrenia; manic episode or bipolar disorder; obsessive-compulsive disorder according to MINI

 2. Known personality disorder (F60.2, F60.31)

 3. Acute suicidal tendencies

 4. Severe somatic disorders requiring immediate treatment

 5. Participation in another clinical trial within the last 4 weeks

 6. Known alcohol/ drug abuse within the last 6 months

 7. Pregnancy