DIAGNOSIS: Depression
TREATMENT: Behavioral Activation for Depression

2015 EST Status: Treatment pending re-evaluation Very strong: High-quality evidence that treatment improves symptoms and functional outcomes at post-treatment and follow-up; little risk of harm; requires reasonable amount of resources; effective in non-research settings

Strong: Moderate- to high-quality evidence that treatment improves symptoms OR functional outcomes; not a high risk of harm; reasonable use of resources

Weak: Low or very low-quality evidence that treatment produces clinically meaningful effects on symptoms or functional outcomes; Gains from the treatment may not warrant resources involved

Insufficient Evidence: No meta-analytic study could be identified

Insufficient Evidence: Existing meta-analyses are not of sufficient quality

Treatment pending re-evaluation

1998 EST Status: Strong Research Support Strong: Support from two well-designed studies conducted by independent investigators.

Modest: Support from one well-designed study or several adequately designed studies.

Controversial: Conflicting results, or claims regarding mechanisms are unsupported.

Strength of Research Support

Empirical Review Status
2015 Criteria
(Tolin et al. Recommendation)
Very Strong
Strong
Weak
Insufficient Evidence
Treatment pending re-evaluation
1998 Criteria
(Chambless et al. EST)
Strong
Modest
Controversial

Find a Therapist specializing in Behavioral Activation for DepressionList your practice

Brief Summary

  • Basic premise: When people get depressed, they may increasingly disengage from their routines and withdraw from their environment. Over time, this avoidance exacerbates depressed mood, as individuals lose opportunities to be positively reinforced through pleasant experiences, social activity, or experiences of mastery.
  • Essence of therapy: Behavioral Activation (BA) seeks to increase the patient's contact with sources of reward by helping them get more active and, in so doing, improve one's life context. One version of BA (BATD) is briefer, focusing specifically on identifying values that will guide the selection of activities. In addition to a focus on increasing activities, the second version of BA also works on identifying processes that inhibit activation/encourage avoidance and teaching problem solving skills.
  • Length: Full BA: 20-24 sessions; BATD: 8-15 sessions

Treatment Resources

Editors:Rachel Hershenberg, PhD; Stephanie Goldstein, BS

Note: The resources provided below are intended to supplement not replace foundational training in mental health treatment and evidence-based practice

Treatment Manuals / Outlines

Treatment Manuals
Books Available for Purchase Through External Sites

Training Materials and Workshops

Measures, Handouts and Worksheets

Self-help Books

Important Note: The books listed above are based on empirically-supported in-person treatments. They have not necessarily been evaluated empirically either by themselves or in conjunction with in-person treatment. We list them as a resource for clinicians who assign them as an adjunct to conducting in-person treatment.

Smartphone Apps

Important Note: The apps listed above are based on empirically-supported in-person treatments. They have not all been evaluated empirically either by themselves or in conjunction with in-person treatment. We list them as a resource for clinicians who assign them as an adjunct to conducting in-person treatment.

Video Demonstrations

Videos from the Coalition for the Advancement and Application of Psychological Science featuring Dr. Chris Martell

Brief videos (~15 min) outline components:

  • Case conceptualization and rationale

 

  • Developing and assigning homework

 

  • Troubleshooting barriers

 

Longer videos that show more of the full sessions:

  • Case conceptualization & rationale – long version

 

  • Developing and assigning homework – long version

 

  • Troubleshooting barriers – long version

Clinical Trials

Meta-analyses and Systematic Reviews

Other Treatment Resources