Continuing Education for Psychologists

BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION FOR DEPRESSION
A Clinician's Guide

From leading experts in behavioral activation research and clinical practice, this volume presents an empirically tested approach for helping clients overcome depression by becoming active and engaged in their own lives. Behavioral activation is a stand-alone treatment whose principles can be integrated easily with other approaches that therapists already use. Guidelines are presented for identifying individualized treatment targets, monitoring and scheduling "antidepressant" activities--experiences that are likely to be rewarding and pleasurable--and decreasing avoidance and ruminative thinking. Rich clinical illustrations include an extended case example that runs throughout the book. Twenty–two reproducible forms, worksheets, and tables can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Christopher R. Martell, Ph.D, is the Director of the Pscyhologial Services Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is also a Lecturer, Sona Dimidjian, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist, is Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. Ruth Herman-Dunn, Ph.D, is in private practice in Seattle and is Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington.

"Concise and well written, this is the most accessible and clinically useful book on behavioral activation (BA) for depression available to date. It covers the theoretical underpinnings of BA, the evidence for its effectiveness, and key principles of effective delivery. It clarifies the relationship of BA to other evidence-based treatments and is illustrated throughout with practical clinical examples. The book will be of equal value to both trainees and experienced clinicians who want to learn about the effective practice of BA."
--Stephen Pilling, PhD, Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology, University College London, United Kingdom

"Behavioral activation could help millions of people who struggle with depression and with the inertia that is so much a part of this debilitating disorder. The authors draw clear connections between behavioral activation and other modern treatments for depression. The book is written in plain language and includes vivid case examples. It will be an important resource for clinicians who want to refine their approach to their clients' problems with depression, and will serve as an excellent text for graduate courses in behavior therapy or empirically supported treatments for depression."
--Robert J. DeRubeis, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania

"This book is a superb overview of the theoretical basis, empirical support, and clinical application of behavioral activation for depression. It will be an excellent resource for the practicing clinician and for clinicians in training. The book is replete with helpful clinical examples, step-by-step guidelines, summary charts, and forms. It is invaluable for learning how to implement this highly effective treatment for depression."
--Michelle G. Craske, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair of Psychology and Director, Anxiety Disorders Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles

"Useful....In a way, all clinicians treating depressed patients should practice some kind of behavioral activation, eg, having patients schedule physical activities and reviewing their gradual increments with patients. Thus, this text could help us in this practice. Those practicing behavioral therapies or those collaborating with or supervising BA therapists will also find this volume informative and useful."
--Annals of Clinical Psychiatry 2011-05-03

"This work is clearly a labor of love, and its strengths shine through. Multiple patient scenarios are explored....Step-by-step instructions are provided as well as detailed examples of possible homework assignments and how a patient might complete them....It is easily digestible, even for the busiest of practitioners....Well written and easy to read, and it would be a helpful addition to the library of most therapists. It could easily be used as a teaching tool in therapy classes for psychologists and psychiatrists alike. I highly recommend it."
--Psychiatric Services 2012-08-03