What BA is:
Behavioral Activation (BA) is an evidence-based treatment for depression and other mood disturbance. The goal of BA is to help teens identify current behavior patterns, recognize ineffective behaviors (e.g., avoidance), and increase value-driven behavior. First, teens are asked to monitor their daily activities while also tracking their mood. The therapist and client then collaboratively work together to discuss patterns of behavior that seem to be related to decreases or improvements in mood. Activities that improve a teenager’s mood and sense of well-being are identified, and the therapist helps the teen engage in these activities. In addition, there is an emphasis on increasing behaviors that are associated with high ratings of enjoyment and importance as well as identifying new behaviors that align with personal values. These activities might include: spending more time with loved ones, going out to eat, exercising, working on a hobby, planning fun activities with others, completing homework, reading, and completing chores. The combination of less isolation and more pleasant events typically results in significant mood improvements.
Therapeutic Components:
Structure: BA is a structured and goal-driven type of talk therapy. Sessions are structured around creating new patterns and habits that best support your mood.
Theory: BA is anchored in the theory of behaviorism. This means that it focuses on how best to identify unhelpful habits, change old patterns, and create and sustain new patterns in the service of your goals.
Intervention: As a behavioral intervention, BA focuses on the behaviors (what you are doing or not doing) that you want to change. BA involves habit and mood tracking, practicing new behaviors (both in and out of session!), and learning how to sustain and reinforce new behaviors.
Modalities: The TAP Clinic offers BA with an individual therapist.
How are parents included in treatment?
Parents can be a big part of BA treatment for teens. First, the parents are involved in the intake process and parent perceptions/observations are utilized to help create a treatment plan. Second, parents can help with implementation of BA plan by assisting in facilitation of plan, adding reinforcers for change, accountability, and increasing opportunity for activation. Additionally, teen mood disturbance can increase conflict in the home and so inclusion of parents in treatment can help generate a family level plan to reduce conflict.
What BA treats: