There is a clear clinical need for parsimonious behavioral interventions targeting depression that can be integrated into real world clinical settings, such as primary care, community-based programs, educational settings with youth, or residential treatment. Behavioral Activation (BA) is one particular behavioral approach that has gained widespread acceptance as a treatment for depression, and it has an emerging body of empirical data to support its use across a range of settings. This workshop will provide a clinical training on how to implement a brief behavioral activation treatment for depression (BATD; Lejuez et al., 2001; BATD-R, 2011). We will discuss the implementation of the treatment with clinical examples that include straight -forward depression as well as complex cases with an array of comorbid physical (e.g., obesity, cancer, HIV infection, diabetes) and psychological (anxiety, substance use, personality disorders) conditions. The approach will be presented with clear and practical examples both as a stand-alone treatment and as an adjunctive strategy to be used in conjunction with other interventions for adults as well as youth.
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