Batter Up! Stepping up to the Plate for Behavioral Activation Therapy

Behavioural activation therapy (BAT) is an evidence-based contemporary third wave therapy with its roots deeply connected to the history of psychology. After behavioural therapy for depression became absorbed into Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) though, the behavioural elements became overshadowed by the cognitive restructuring elements in CBT. Since its resurgence as a standalone therapy after the seminal work of Jacobson and his group in the late 1990s, BAT has continued to evolve, incorporating contemporary elements and a more holistic approach than earlier versions. While in evidence-based therapy guidelines,  BAT is something of a quiet achiever, at risk of being sidelined by shiny new therapies passing  through town. Our current focus on BAT in our psychotherapy trials has reminded me how pragmatic, versatile and effective treatment BAT is. More importantly it has reminded me of the extent to which clients can take this deceptively simple therapy and change their lives. As a BAT enthusiast, I hope to redress this relative under-promotion by presenting the impressive credentials for BAT and why it should be recognised as being a hard hitter, deserving of being in the major league, as a first line essential in our therapy toolbox. 

Biography 

Associate Professor Jenny Jordan is a clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in  psychotherapy for complex mental health and addiction issues. She teaches postgraduate courses and trains clinicians in evidence-based psychotherapies. Her research focuses on  improving outcomes in psychotherapy, with a particular interest in comparative trials, including using behavioural activation in current trials. 

Webinar – Thursday 4^th December 2025 – 9.30am to 11.00am NZ Time

Registration: http://cbt.org.nz/events/global-ambassador-webinar-2025/