What is behavioral activation studying for depression in teens?

Behavioral activation is being studied as a treatment for teens aged 12 to 18 experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts. Researchers aim to evaluate how increasing engagement in enjoyable activities through telehealth can improve depressive symptoms. Baylor College of Medicine leads this research to improve access to effective mental health care.

Who may be eligible for this depression clinical trial?

Teens aged 12 to 18 or those currently in high school experiencing depressive symptoms may be eligible. A caregiver must be willing to participate, and the teen must be able to attend weekly telehealth sessions in Texas. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this depression clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the telehealth sessions and assessments, is provided at no cost. Personal travel or internet expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered. Participants can join without paying for the treatment or study visits.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 12Years - 18Years

All Genders

ID06273995

Telehealth Behavioral Activation Program for Teens Aged 12 to 18 with Depression or Suicidal Thoughts

Led by Baylor College of Medicine · Updated on 2026-08-04

250

Participants Needed

Research Sites

39 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Rates of depression and suicide among youth are rising significantly, especially in Texas where access to mental healthcare is limited. This research focuses on teens aged 12 to 18 experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts who are enrolled in the Youth Depression Suicide Network study. Behavioral activation, derived from cognitive-behavioral therapy, is an evidence-based approach that encourages engagement in valued activities to improve depressive symptoms. Participants will receive behavioral activation treatment through telehealth for 8 to 10 weeks. This intervention uses psychoeducation and skill-building to increase involvement in enjoyable activities such as socializing, exercising, or hobbies. The program can be delivered by trained clinicians or non-licensed interventionists in a brief, virtual format. Throughout the study, participants will complete weekly sessions and assessments including the Patient Health Questionnaire modified for adolescents, Behavioral Activation for Depression-Short Form, and Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale. Additional questionnaires such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Duke Social Support Index will be completed at the start and end of treatment. The study tracks symptom changes and social support during treatment lasting approximately 10 weeks.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Telehealth Behavioral Activation for Teens

How This Trial Compares With Other Options

This table compares participation in this trial with other options available for this condition. The information is drawn from published research and the trial’s study details and is provided for educational purposes only.

Factors	Tele‑BA (study)	CBT (guideline‑recommended)
what it is	A structured telehealth behavioral activation programme delivered weekly over 8 to 10 weeks to adolescents with depressive symptoms	An evidence‑based psychotherapy that focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors to reduce depression symptoms
role in study	This is the single experimental intervention delivered to all participants	This represents standard psychotherapy typically offered outside the study, not assigned as a trial arm
primary use	To reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents via structured activity and engagement	To treat adolescent depression by modifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors
how it is delivered	Delivered remotely via telehealth in weekly sessions over approximately eight to ten weeks	Typically delivered in‑person or via telehealth in weekly sessions, varying by provider
evidence maturity	Effectiveness still being evaluated; results not yet available	Well‑established efficacy in adolescent depression treatment
important risks	None specifically reported; standard risks of therapy apply	Minimal risks related to psychotherapy, such as emotional discomfort during sessions
limitations	Single‑group design without a control arm limits comparisons to standard care	Variability in delivery and access across settings may affect consistency

Disclaimer: This comparison is created with the help of artificial intelligence(AI) and may contain errors or missing information. It is not medical advice and does not mean one option is better or safer than another. Clinical trials are still being studied, and joining a trial is your choice. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any decisions.

Who Can Participate

Age: 12Years - 18Years

All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Must be enrolled in the Texas Youth Depression Suicide Research Network Registry Study
Be between 12 and 18 years old or currently enrolled in high school
Have a caregiver willing to participate in the program
Able to commit to weekly sessions for eight weeks
Currently experiencing depressive symptoms
Able to participate in telehealth services within Texas
Willing to provide consent or assent
Able to read, write, and speak English or Spanish to understand study procedures
Willing to complete scheduled assessments and attend sessions
Able to provide a reliable way to be contacted

You will not qualify if you...

Have an acute medical or psychological condition that makes participation difficult or unsafe
Have a condition that prevents accurate completion of study requirements (e.g., neurological or neurodevelopmental concerns)
Have active psychotic or manic symptoms that alter mental status or require urgent care
Have a caregiver who is unable to provide consent due to cognitive issues

Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (virtual or in-person)

Treatment

Duration - 8 to 10 weeks

Participants receive weekly telehealth behavioral activation sessions aimed at increasing engagement in enjoyable activities to improve depressive symptoms.

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Duration - 1 week

Participants complete final assessments to measure changes in depression symptoms and social support after treatment.

1 session