PSYb2801 Behavioural activation and other low-intensity mental health treatments

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2021
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Tereza Růžičková, Ph.D. (lecturer), Radim Lacina, B.A., M.Sc. (deputy)
Radim Lacina, B.A., M.Sc. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jan Širůček, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
Sufficient proficiency in academic English
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This is an English-taught course aiming to impart knowledge and practical skills of behavioural activation (BA) as a technique for mental health treatment, as well as examining other so-called "low-intensity" therapies. We will explore the behaviourist theories of depression that led to the development of BA, viewing common mental health problems through the lens of reinforcement learning mechanisms. We will evaluate the current body of evidence for low-intensity treatments for different mental and physical health problems and discuss where such methods might fit within the healthcare system. Students will learn how to lead a client through a BA treatment, as well as practicing other low-intensity CBT skills. Lastly, we will examine novel research directions in this area, investigating the use of digital tools in low-intensity treatments, exploring their dissemination to lower income countries around the world and brainstorming further developments of this field.
Learning outcomes
- Understanding behaviourist models of reinforcement learning in depression
- Understanding the rationale behind behavioural activation treatment, including its possible psychological and neurobiological mechanisms
- Understanding the basic principles of other low-intensity mental health treatments, such as problem-solving and sleep management
- Evaluating existing evidence of efficacy for BA and other low-intensity treatments
- Evaluating the function of low-intensity treatments in a healthcare system
- Acquiring practical skills of administering BA for clients with depression, including psychoeducation, activity monitoring, goal setting and building a therapeutic relationship
- Exploring novel research areas in this field, including the use of digital tools in low intensity treatments and their dissemination in low- and middle-income countries around the world
Syllabus
  • Block 1: Basic rationale of behavioural activation and other low intensity treatments
  • Block 2: The practical methodology of behavioural activation and other low-intensity skills
  • Block 3: Evaluating efficacy and areas of clinical application
  • Block 4: Implementation and dissemination of low intensity interventions, challenges and solutions
  • Block 5: Revision, discussion, Q&A with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner from the UK
Teaching methods
Before each lecture block, students will be divided into small groups and emailed a publication to read. Each group will create a short presentation about the ideas, methodology and results of their given paper.
Assessment methods
Requirements for successful completion of the course
- Active participation in class discussions
- Completion of the assigned presentation for each block
- Writing a short essay about what you found most interesting in the course at the end (450-500 words, please stick to this word limit!)
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is taught: in blocks.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2021/PSYb2801