The efficacy of behavioral treatment for depression in older adult medical rehabilitation inpatients was tested by comparing two groups that received behavioral treatment with a no treatment control group. In one treatment group an experienced geropsychologist provided behavioral treatment, whereas in the other treatmcnt group trained occupational therapists provided the behavioral treatment (n = 13 in each group). Compared to the no treatment group (n = 11) depression was significantly reduced in both treatment groups. In addition, functional recovery of ADL skills was significantly better in the occupational therapy led treatment group than in the no treatment group. The behavioral treatment protocol, method of training occupational therapists and significance of the results are discussed.