Cognitive behaviour therapy has overshadowed this intervention, but the evidence so far points to it being a possible alternative, says Ben Parkinson
Mental health professionals are increasingly expected to deliver evidence-based psychological therapies for common mental health problems. Behavioural activation (BA) is one such therapy that can treat depression effectively, but it appears to have been under-used as a self-help or guided self-help intervention. This article summarises current literature on the use of BA as a self-help intervention. It suggests that the current empirical evidence-base might need expanding before the use of BA can confidently be advocated as a self-help intervention for depression.
Mental Health Practice. 18, 3, 34-35. doi: 10.7748/mhp.18.3.34.e955
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 26 November 2013
Accepted: 03 March 2014
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