The Behavioral Activation Workbook for Depression

Increase motivation, improve your mood, and build a better life—one step at a time.

Do you often feel sad, numb, or hopeless? Are you overwhelmed by seemingly small things, or feel mentally or physically exhausted all the time? Do you find yourself easily agitated, or have difficulty concentrating? Have you lost interest in activities you normally enjoy? If so, you may be suffering from depression. It’s important to know that you aren’t alone, and there is hope for recovery. If you feel stuck in a negative cycle of low mood, lack of motivation, and feelings of despair, this workbook can help you find your way out.

Grounded in evidence-based behavioral activation—a powerfully effective treatment for depression—this workbook offers an array of actionable strategies to increase motivation, connect with what matters, manage difficult thoughts and feelings, and start engaging in life again. You’ll also find skills grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—the gold standard for treating mental health issues such as depression—to help you develop a mood-boosting activity plan (and stick with it!). Finally, you’ll find tips and tools drawn from mindfulness, self-compassion, and gratitude to boost feelings of positivity and hope.

Often the hardest step toward better mental health is the first one, but you don’t have to take that step alone. With this workbook, you’ll learn how to overcome the inertia of your depression, so you can once again engage in the activities that you enjoy, and that give you a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Nina Josefowitz, PhD, is a clinical psychologist. In addition to her clinical practice, she teaches at the University of Toronto, and has offered training in North America, Asia, and Africa. She is author of numerous professional articles on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and issues related to general clinical practice. Along with David Myran, she coauthored CBT Made Simple.

Stephen R. Swallow, PhD, is a clinical, health, and rehabilitation psychologist; and founder of the Oakville Centre for Cognitive Therapy, one of Canada’s leading CBT clinics. In addition to maintaining an active clinical practice, he provides supervision to mental health professionals-in-training, and teaches CBT both domestically and abroad.

Zindel V. Segal, PhD, is professor of psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He is coauthor of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression and The Mindful Way through Depression.