Behavioral Activation Group Therapy in Public Mental Health Settings: A Pilot Investigation

Depression is among the most common psychiatric disorders seen in mental health practices. Although effective treatments for the condition exist, managed care pressures providers to utilize empirically supported, cost-effective treatments. Behavioral activation (BA) treatment for depression has emerged in recent years as a promising, cost-effective intervention for major depressive disorder. If its effectiveness could be established, BA delivered through a group format would offer additional cost effectiveness over its individual therapy counterpart. This investigation examined the effects of behavioral activation group therapy (BAGT) for depression in public mental health settings. The results suggest that BAGT can be a valuable addition to the practicing psychologist’s set of interventions to use with depressed clients.