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Behavioral Activation

Distinctive Features

• By Jonathan Kanter, Andrew Busch, Laura Rusch

• Price: $17.00
• Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
• Pages: 208
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 31st May 2009 (Available for Pre-order)
• ISBN: 978-0-415-44654-9

About the Book

Behavioral activation theory indicates that human behavior is a direct result of positive reinforcement, and that when positive, stable sources of reinforcement are lost, depression and other mental health disorders occur. Behavioral activation encourages the client to obtain and nurture the skills that allow them to increase and maintain contact with forms of positive reinforcement.

Behavioral Activation: Distinctive Features clarifies the fundamental theoretical and practical features of behavioral activation. The book includes numerous case examples and transcribed segments from therapy sessions as well as outlining behavior terminology and concepts using straight forward terms and examples so that all therapists can see the utility and practical value of this approach.

This book will provide essential guidance for students and new therapists, as well as more experienced clinicians wanting to know more about what makes behavioral activation a distinct form of cognitive behavior therapy.

Table of Contents

Part I: The Distinctive Theoretical Features of Behavioral Activation. A Distinctive History. A Distinct Definition of Human Behavior. Distinct Terminology. A Distinct Philosophy and Theory. The Distinct Behavioral ABC Model. The Ubiquity of Positive Reinforcement. The Meaning of Life. Depression and Positive Reinforcement. The Ubiquity of Negative Reinforcement. The Role of Punishment. An (Almost) Complete Behavioral Model of Depression. The Role of Cognition. The Role of Insight. Activation and Acceptance. Part II: The Distinctive Practical Features of Behavioral Activation. A Distinct Structure. The Initial Treatment Rationale. Activity Monitoring. Values Assessment. Simple Activation. The Importance of Homework. Functional Assessment. Post-It Notes and Other Stimulus Control Procedures. Skills Training. Contingency Management. Mindful Valued Activation. Ending Therapy. Thinking Functionally about Suicide and Medication. The Therapeutic Relationship in BA. A Distinct Flexible Framework: Adaptations for Minorities. The Promise of BA.

About the Author(s)

Jonathan W. Kanter is Assistant Professor and Clinic Coordinator at the Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is also affiliated with the School of Social Welfare where he is a Research Scholar at the Center for Addictions and Behavioral Health.

Andrew M. Busch is currently a Researcher at the Depression Treatment Speciality Clinic at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Laura C. Rusch is based at the Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Malwaukee.

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