Behavioral Activation (BA)
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The AIMS Center encourages both licensed and non-licensed clinicians and staff to pursue training in evidence-based brief behavioral interventions that are well-suited to primary care and other medical settings. Behavioral Activation (BA) strategies represent one such intervention.
About BA
Behavioral Activation (BA) is a brief evidence-based behavioral intervention for use in primary care, other health care, and community settings. BA has been studied extensively in a wide range of settings and with a variety of providers and patient populations.
BA teaches patients experiencing depression or anxiety symptoms a set of skills to re-engage in valued life activities that they once found rewarding and enjoyable.
Evidence Base
Behavioral Activation (BA) is often a component of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Problem-Solving Treatment (PST), but has also been shown to be a stand-alone evidence-based intervention to treat depression and anxiety in a primary care environment. Research shows that BA significantly improves patient outcomes in a wide range of settings and patient populations.
The document below contains selected references demonstrating the efficacy of BA in primary care.
Training Overview
Training consists of two online modules introducing BA principles, a 1-hour recorded BA webinar, and a 2-hour review and practice session with an expert trainer, followed by three monthly case presentation calls. Clinicians and staff are taught by expert trainers using procedures and standards set by Patrick J. Raue, PhD, Associate Director for Evidence-based Psychosocial Interventions at the AIMS Center. Clinicians and staff will have the opportunity to apply BA to several cases and receive feedback from AIMS Center experts on their application of clinical skills. The training process typically requires about 8 hours of trainee time over the course of four months. Download a detailed overview of this training.
Training Components
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Online Training: Approximately 2-hours of self-paced online learning and a 1-hour recorded webinar
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Review and Practice Webinar: 2-hour live session including a demonstration, practice, and Q&A with an expert trainer via Zoom
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Monthly Case Presentation: Three 1-hour group calls over three months where participants present real cases and discuss challenging and complex cases with the expert trainer
Requirements
Trainees must have an active caseload of at least three patients by the time they begin training.
Cost
$475 per trainee
Continuing Education
The University of Washington AIMS Center is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education (CE) for psychologists. The AIMS Center maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Participants are eligible for 5 CE credits. To receive credits participants must attend the entire course and pass a learning evaluation. The CE credits can be used by most licensed mental health providers, including psychologists, clinical social workers, professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists. Clinicians should check their specific state requirements to confirm that credits awarded by the APA apply to them.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure Information
Training author, Anna Ratzliff, MD, PhD, receives royalties from Wiley Publishers. This financial relationship has been mitigated. There are no other relevant financial relationships to disclose for authors or planners of this content.
Registration
To register, fill out the form at the link below.