Implementing Behavioral Activation Across Mental Health Settings

Friday, September 6, 2019

Registration: 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Program: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Friday Forums are cosponsored with the Metropolitan State University Psychology Department.

PLEASE NOTE: ROOM CHANGE: Due to construction on campus, the room location has changed to the Library - Ecolab Room, located on the 3rd floor (645 East 7th Street, St. Paul, MN 55106)

About the Program

People who suffer from depression and other co-morbid conditions, such as anxiety, often disengage from meaningful activities in their daily lives. In turn, disengagement, avoidance, and social isolation can perpetuate symptoms of depression and other common mental illnesses. Behavioral activation is an evidence-based psychotherapy that has been shown to be effective for people across developmental ages who suffer from depression and co-morbid conditions. BA has been tested worldwide across diverse mental health settings. While BA can be delivered as a stand-alone treatment, its strategies are components of many other evidence-based psychotherapy, such as CBT and ACT.

This workshop focuses on core components of BA, which include providing BA rationale, assessment, activity scheduling, and strategies for unsuccessfully activation. Strategies to cope with difficult thoughts or rumination that may hinder activation will be presented. Lastly, implementation strategies to use BA in diverse clinical practices (e.g., partial hospitalization, inpatient psychiatry, and residential treatment) will be discussed. This workshop uses active learning components where modeling will be presented by the facilitators, and attendees are encouraged to engage in experiential exercises to facilitate learning.

This session is at the intermediate level and is designed for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

This session qualifies for 3.0 continuing education credits. You must attend the full 3-hour program to get continuing education credit for the event.

Participants will be able to:

1. Demonstrate five core Behavioral Activation strategies.
2. Demonstrate strategies to cope with difficult thoughts and rumination.
3. Describe implementation strategies to facilitate Behavioral Activation adoption and adaptation in diverse clinical practice.

About the Presenters:

Ajeng J. Puspitasari, Ph.D., LP, received a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Dr. Puspitasari is currently a Clinical Director for a residential treatment program and day program for adults with serious mental illness at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Puspitasari has given multiple Behavioral Activation trainings and presentations within the United States and Internationally.

Tayler M. Kelly, LICSW, MSW, is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker providing psychotherapy at the Mayo Clinic in the Adult Transitions Program.  With a Master’s Degree in social work, she has worked both in the inpatient psychiatric setting and the intensive outpatient setting providing therapy to adults with severe psychiatric illnesses. Research areas of interest include Behavioral therapies (BA, DBT, ACT) and Implementation Science.

Kate Schak, M.D., received a medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Schak is a board certified psychiatrist with a sub-specialty in child and adolescent psychiatry and serves as a Medical Director of an acute psychiatry unit, Medical Director of the Adult Transitions Program, and Co-Chair of the Division of Psychiatry and Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  She has a particular interest in taking care of chronically and acutely ill psychiatric patients.

Ajeng J. Puspitasari, Ph.D., LP, Tayler M. Kelly, LICSW, MSW, and Kate Schak, M.D., have reported no conflicts of interest.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:  If you need disability related accommodations, including parking, to make this event accessible, please contact the Metropolitan State University Center for Accessibility Resources, 651-793-1549, or [email protected]. 

To Register:

Online registration is now closed. Walk-up registrations are welcome!

Click here to download a PDF registration form and flyer.

Walk-up registrations are welcome the day of, but pre-registration is preferred.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling free, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. Transfer of fee to another program is granted if written cancellation notice is received at least one day before the program. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.