An Initial Description and Pilot of Group Behavioral Activation Therapy for Anxious and Depressed Youth

Transdiagnostic approaches for treating multiple problems within a single protocol are novel but gaining support. This report describes initial efforts to adapt reconceptualized behavioral activation (e.g., Jacobson, Martell, & Dimidjian, 2001) to a group format suitable for young adolescents, plus add a powerful exposure component to accommodate anxiety-related problems. We present the empirical support for such an approach, its conceptual underpinnings, and a description of a group behavioral activation therapy (GBAT) program. We also report preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and case descriptions for five 7th and 8th grade students diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression who participated in an open trial in a school setting. Preliminary results suggest the GBAT program could be feasibly run in schools—the majority of students invited to join the group agreed to participate and completed the program. Students were satisfied with the program and most appeared to experience some clinical benefit after 13 weeks of group. Discussion elaborates on lessons learned from developing the program in a school setting and implications for research, practice, and transdiagnostic approaches.