Could a group therapy tackle both depression and anxiety in teens?

NCT ID NCT01829100

First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026

Summary

This study investigates how avoidance behaviors contribute to depression and anxiety in teenagers, and tests a group therapy called Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT). The therapy involves 15 weekly sessions teaching skills to understand and change avoidance patterns. Researchers will compare 35 seventh and eighth graders with depression and anxiety to a non-clinical group, using electronic diaries to track daily experiences. The goal is to see if GBAT can reduce symptoms and improve functioning.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Group Behavioral Activation Therapy (GBAT) — a behavioral therapy involving 15 weekly group sessions teaching skills like psychoeducation, functional analysis, problem solving, and graded exposures.
What this could lead to
If successful, this therapy could offer an effective, school-based treatment for teens with both depression and anxiety, potentially improving outcomes and reducing the need for more intensive care.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study with only 35 participants, so results may not apply to all teens. The therapy may not work better than existing treatments, and long-term benefits are uncertain.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Rutgers University

    Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854, United States

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.