Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

DBT was developed by Marsha M. Linehan, Ph.D. and published as an evidenced-based treatment in 1993. Dr. Linehan began developing this treatment in order to treat chronically suicidal adult women. In her research, most of these women met criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which is typified by an individual’s emotional and behavioral extremes. DBT is the only therapy shown by extensive clinical research to be effective in treating BPD. Although the origin of DBT focused on BPD, further studies have shown that DBT is effective in treating a variety of other diagnoses, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, including Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Generally, this treatment targets biological vulnerabilities to emotions and environmental disturbances that create barriers to emotion regulation. This treatment has had many peer-reviewed randomized control trials proving its efficacy.

Structure & Length:

The adherent treatment structure involves four components and is delivered by intensively trained clinicians. The treatment lasts 52 weeks, and the client must agree to participate in all parts of the treatment in order to be accepted into the program. The following list outlines the program components in more detail:

• Weekly 60-minute skills group

• Weekly individual therapy with an intensively trained therapist

• Weekly DBT consultation team- included in price of group and individual therapy.

• As-needed skills coaching to help the client practice skills outside of the session- available 7 days a week and included in price of class and individual. 

Learn more about the research supporting DBT by clicking below: