Session Abstract: Behavioral Activation: Training for a short term person-centered intervention for depression across settings

Background: Behavioral Activation (BA) is an evidence-based counseling technique that is effective in treating patients diagnosed with depression. BA relies on the assumption that by avoiding certain activities patients fail to engage in pleasurable events that can improve an individual’s mood and creates secondary problems that exacerbate an individual’s depression.[i]  Through a collaborative process between clinician and patient—an element crucial in person-centered intervention[ii]—BA provides skills that encourage patients to gradually establish new behavioral and life patterns.[iii]

Objective: Train clinicians across diverse settings on BA fundamentals

Methods: Utilized in person-trainings to train organization participants on BA.

Results:  We found it was possible to conduct successfully BA training sessions with clinicians from multiple health disciplines in various settings.

Conclusions: The ability to provide effective BA training in diverse outpatient settings may be helpful to assist organizations such as medical homes to improve their depression care programs.

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[i] Jacobson NS, Martell CR, Dimidjian S: Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression: Returning to Contextual Roots. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice 8:255-270. 2001

[ii] Mezzich JE: Building person-centered medicine through dialogue and partnerships. International Journal of Person Centered Medicine 1: 10-13. 2011.

[iii] Veale D: Behavioural Activation for Depression. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 14: 29-36. 2008

Learning Areas:

Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Discuss effective methods for training clinicians across diverse settings on the fundamentals of Behavioral Activation

Keyword(s): Depression, Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: The integration of primary care and behavioral health has been the primary focus of my career. I have worked nationally and internationally to help primary care organizations develop depression identification and treatment programs, viable behavioral health services, and integrated care systems. At the Institute for Family Health, I developed a behavioral health program that now employs over 200 staff people and provides 136,000 visits annually. I am the lead clinician and administrator for this program.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3207.0: Research Perspectives on Mental Health and Mental Illness: POSTER 2