Thoughts for Adapting Brief Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression for Telehealth in Brazil

Abstract

Brief Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD) brings together the main Behavioral Activation interventions in a brief and flexible model, seeking efficiency in time and resource management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of mental disorders such as depression and the use of information technologies by mental health practitioners increased. Telehealth diversifies the possible interventions and contemplates patients with transportation difficulties, allowing greater comfort by conducting therapy sessions from home, for example. At the same time, a series of clinical strategies need to be adapted when delivering therapy over the internet, such as ensuring the appropriate space, connection, and communication devices, in addition to using different resources to record homework and measure therapeutic progress, specially in Behavioral Activation. The objective of this article is to suggest adaptations to the BATD protocol, making it applicable to the current Brazilian telehealth context.