Why simplicity does not mean superficiality: exploring Low-intensity Behavioural Activation for Depression with Prof David Ekers. cover art

Why simplicity does not mean superficiality: exploring Low-intensity Behavioural Activation for Depression with Prof David Ekers.

Why simplicity does not mean superficiality: exploring Low-intensity Behavioural Activation for Depression with Prof David Ekers.

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How do we make effective therapy for depression more widely available without losing quality or compassion? In this episode, Rachel Handley is joined by Professor David Ekers, a leading researcher and clinician specialising in behavioural activation (BA). David shares the story of how his clinical experience with long waiting lists led him to focus on scalable, evidence-based approaches to care. The conversation explores the development of behavioural activation, the evidence underpinning low intensity delivery, and key findings from major trials including the COBRA and BASIL studies. David explains why behavioural activation is a robust, practical intervention that can be delivered effectively by a range of practitioners, without losing therapeutic depth or compassion. David reflects on common myths about low intensity work, the importance of supervision and therapeutic relationships, and the challenges services face when balancing access, outcomes, and relapse prevention. Further resources: David's University of York webpage can be found here which details all his publications and research projects Papers and links to further information about the trials mentioned in this episode are listed below: COBRA: Finning, K., Richards, D. A., Moore, L., Ekers, D., McMillan, D., Farrand, P. A., O'Mahen, H. A., Watkins, E. R., Wright, K. A., Fletcher, E., Rhodes, S., Woodhouse, R., & Wray, F. (2017). Cost and outcome of behavioural activation versus cognitive behavioural therapy for depression (COBRA): a qualitative process evaluation. BMJ Open, 7(4), e014161. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014161 Richards, D. A., Rhodes, S., Ekers, D., McMillan, D., Taylor, R. S., Byford, S., Barrett, B., Finning, K., Ganguli, P., Warren, F., Farrand, P., Gilbody, S., Kuyken, W., O'Mahen, H., Watkins, E., Wright, K., Reed, N., Fletcher, E., Hollon, S. D., & Moore, L. (2017). Cost and Outcome of BehaviouRal Activation (COBRA): a randomised controlled trial of behavioural activation versus cognitive–behavioural therapy for depression. Health Technology Assessment, 21(46), 1–366. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta21460 Richards, D. A., Ekers, D., McMillan, D., Taylor, R. S., Byford, S., Warren, F. C., Barrett, B., Farrand, P. A., Gilbody, S., Kuyken, W., O'Mahen, H., Watkins, E. R., Wright, K. A., Hollon, S. D., Reed, N., Rhodes, S., Fletcher, E., & Finning, K. (2016). Cost and Outcome of Behavioural Activation versus Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression (COBRA): a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority Trial. The Lancet, 388(10047), 871–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31140-0 BASIL: Gilbody, S., Littlewood, E., McMillan, D., Atha, L., Bailey, D., Baird, K., Brady, S., Burke, L., Chew-Graham, C. A., Coventry, P., Crosland, S., Fairhurst, C., Henry, A., Hollingsworth, K., Newbronner, E., Ryde, E., Shearsmith, L., Wang, H.-I., Webster, J., & Woodhouse, R. (2024). Behavioural activation to mitigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on older people in England and Wales (BASIL+): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Healthy Longevity, 5(2), e97–e107. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2666-7568(23)00238-6 Littlewood, E., McMillan, D., Graham, C. C., Bailey, D., Gascoyne, S., Sloane, C., Burke, L., Coventry, P., Crosland, S., Fairhurst, C., Henry, A., Hewitt, C., Baird, K., Ryde, E., Shearsmith, L., Traviss-Turner, G., Woodhouse, R., Webster, J., Meader, N., & Churchill, R. (2022). Can we mitigate the psychological impacts of social isolation using behavioural activation? Long-term results of the UK BASIL urgent public health COVID-19 pilot randomised controlled trial and living systematic review. Evidence-Based Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2022-300530 More information and publications related to the study can be found www.BASILStudy.org CASPER: Gilbody, S., Lewis, H., Adamson, J., Atherton, K., Bailey, D., Birtwistle, J., Bosanquet, K., Clare, E., Delgadillo, J., Ekers, D., Foster, D., Gabe, R., Gascoyne, S., Haley, L., Hamilton, J., Hargate, R., Hewitt, C., Holmes, J., Keding, A., & Lilley-Kelly, A. (2017). Effect of Collaborative Care vs Usual Care on Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults With Subthreshold Depression. JAMA, 317(7), 728. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.0130 Lewis, H., Adamson, J., Atherton, K., Bailey, D., Birtwistle, J., Bosanquet, K., Clare, E., Delgadillo, J., Ekers, D., Foster, D., Gabe, R., Gascoyne, S., Haley, L., Hargate, R., Hewitt, C., Holmes, J., Keding, A., Lilley-Kelly, A., Maya, J., & McMillan, D. (2017). CollAborative care and active surveillance for Screen-Positive EldeRs with subthreshold depression (CASPER): a multicentred randomised controlled trial of clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Health Technology Assessment, 21(8), 1–196. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta21080 ‌DiaDeM: More information and publications related to the programme can be found here Insika Yomama: Rochat, T. J., Dube, S., Herbst, K., ...
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