Application of behavioral activation treatment for depression to an adolescent with a history of child maltreatment

Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD) is a promising new intervention that has received preliminary empirical support with adult samples. However, researchers have not yet examined the application of BATD to children and adolescents. The authors describe implementation of BATD with a 17-year-old girl in foster care who endorsed several symptoms of depression and reported a low rate of potentially reinforcing life events. Over the course of treatment, patient adherence to the BATD protocol was associated with an increased rate of reinforcing life events that coincided with decreased symptoms of depression. The authors discuss special considerations (e.g., parental involvement, supplemental activity selection methods) that are unique to the use of BATD with children and adolescents and offer recommendations for researchers and clinicians.