Unlocking the Power of Behavioral Activation Strategies for Depression

3 CE Hours
142 members have taken this course
Skip to Course Registration Info
Enroll In This Course

About the Course

Have you wondered what therapeutic interventions exist for depression beyond cognitive approaches? While CBT certainly brings significant value to the treatment of depression, behavioral activation may be a better approach for many clients. This training will present a diagnostic overview of Major Depressive Disorder, including commonly used assessment tools. The theory of Behavioral Activation will be explained through the lens of case conceptualization. Specific behavioral activation strategies such as ACE, pacing, and activity scheduling will be explored through case studies and video demonstrations. Learners will have the opportunity to explore the application of behavioral activation techniques and interventions to their specific clients who have depression.

This course is based on the recorded webinar, Unlocking the Power of Behavioral Activation Strategies for Depression created by Diane Bigler in 2023.

Presenter and Course Creator

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW has over 25 years of experience in social work and mental health practice. She is a frequent national continuing education speaker and former Professor of Social Work at The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare. Diane has been involved in the provision of clinical supervision for over 15 years and has trained hundreds of clinicians on succeeding at supervision.

Disclosures

None to report

Target Audience

This self-paced course is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, MFT's and Addiction Professionals.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Articulate the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder and appropriate assessments.
  2. 2 Explain the theory of behavioral activation and demonstrate skill in case conceptualization.
  3. 3 Identify at least five behavioral activation interventions and techniques to alleviate depression.
  4. 4 Name at least three ways that behavioral activation will enhance one’s clinical practice with clients who experience depression.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Course Creator

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW – None to report

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Use our CE Approvals tool to look up your state requirements and how can help you meet them, or log in to your member account to show approvals relevant to your licensure.

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
CE Learning Systems has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5951. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE Learning Systems is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 3 NBCC hour(s) awarded.
More Info
Logo: Approved Education Provider - NBCC

Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (FL CSW, MFT, MHC)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
Impact CE, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (Provider # 50-315).
More Info

Florida Board of Psychology

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
Impact CE, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved by the Florida Board of Psychology (Provider # 50-315).
More Info

New York Education Department Board of Social Work

3 contact hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
CE Learning Systems, LLC, (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. Provider #0060.
More Info

New York Education Department Board of Creative Arts Therapy (NYSEDCAT)

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
CE Learning Systems (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0008
More Info

New York Education Department Board of Mental Health Counseling

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
CE Learning Systems, LLC (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.
More Info

New York Education Department Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

3 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
CE Learning Systems, LLC (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0045.
More Info
Course Materials

Webinar Recording
Paid material

  • Video

    Enroll and start the course to view these materials.

  • Powerpoint Slides
  • Handouts

Exam Questions

All exam questions for the course are visible on this page for members of Impact CE.

Membership is free, and you can register today! You'll only pay when you're ready to purchase a course, or if you take advantage of the Unlimited Package.

If you're already a member, please sign in to see the exam questions for this and all other courses.

Enroll In This Course

Discuss this course

You can share your thoughts about this course after you pass the exam.

Sign In or Register to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most likely. Look Up Your State Board for more detailed information. Logged-in site members will see the relevant approval information displayed in the Approvals tab for every course.

If you are having trouble using Impact CE, please contact us! We would be happy to accommodate your needs right away, and your input will help us make Impact CE more accessible for future users too.

Use the Enroll In This Course button and just follow the instructions! You don't pay anything until you're ready to take an exam.

To complete the course, review the course objectives, then review the material, and then pass the exam with a score of 75% or greater and lastly complete an evaluation.

Most of our self-paced courses are based on online articles available for free to the public. Some courses, such as those based on books, require that you purchase the material. Use the Materials tab for more info. Live courses simply require that you attend.

Your certificate(s) will be available to download or email immediately when you pass the course exam and complete the evaluation.

Yes! Use the Help widget at the bottom-right of the screen anywhere on Impact CE to search our help docs, or to ask our support team for help. Unlike most of our competitors, Impact CE has live US-based support reps to help you by email, chat, or phone.

Start your CE Journey now - complete your first course today, on us.

Try for free - no commitment required.

Start a Free Trial Course

Continuing Education

Copyright © 2026 CE Learning Systems LLC

Please Confirm