Behavioral Activation for Depression

“When I saw that the authors released a second edition of their book on the topic, I knew I had to read it. It is excellent! They’ve added chapters on transdiagnostic practice and new treatment settings. They’ve also included new tools to help quantify and gauge progress in behavioral activation. I also like some of the shifts in language in the second edition. There is an increased emphasis on compassion….I wholeheartedly recommend it.”

—Advances in Cognitive Therapy Newsletter


“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....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 (on the first edition)


“Those practicing behavioral therapies or those collaborating with or supervising BA therapists will also find this volume informative and useful.”

—Annals of Clinical Psychiatry (on the first edition)


“BA is an effective, accessible, and scalable psychological therapy that could do much to address the major public health problem of depression. This clear, authoritative, exceptionally practical guide empowers therapists with a roadmap for offering this powerful therapy to their clients. The authors are second to none in their field; they have taken an already excellent book and improved it further with this second edition. BA offers the possibility for hundreds of millions of people not only to recover from depression, but also to build a better life with and beyond depression.”

—Willem Kuyken, PhD, Ritblat Professor of Mindfulness and Psychological Science, University of Oxford, United Kingdom


“In its second edition, this book remains the foundational guide to the principles and practices of BA. The authors masterfully weave compelling clinical narratives into a crisp description of ways to interrupt the low interest, fatigue, and withdrawal that are inherent in the vicious cycle of depression. BA takes us back to fundamental operant principles of behavior change while also acknowledging the bidirectional influence of the patient's internal and external environment. The authors create a space for the clinical integration of the literature on emotional regulation, rumination, and mindful presence. Beginning and experienced clinicians alike will improve their evidence-based practice by applying the knowledge in this book. It will serve as an important source of information for graduate students before, during, and after their practicum and internship placements.”

—Robin B. Jarrett, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychiatry and Elizabeth H. Penn Professorship in Clinical Psychology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center


“Like the ancient game of Go, the principles of BA are simple, but their successful application demands study, practice, skill, and strategy. I have used Behavioral Activation for Depression as one of the assigned texts in my graduate course on behavior therapy since 2013. This text consistently receives positive reviews from my students and helps them establish the skills to effectively carry out BA in their practicum placements. The second edition retains the original work's clear exposition and guiding principles, while adding an important discussion of the transdiagnostic movement in psychotherapy, among other updates. This second edition is an invaluable read for beginning clinicians in all the helping disciplines and a useful review for experienced therapists.”

—Alvin E. House, PhD, Department of Psychology, Illinois State University