Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Not all DBT is the same.
Click here to find out what questions to ask to find out if a therapist is truly a DBT Therapist.Â
PSYCHÄ“ was founded by a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™
The effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been supported by research for treating a variety of issues. Originally developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD. in the 1980's to treat severe suicidality and self-injury, it is notorious for treating Borderline Personality Disorder in women, but research now suggests it is effective in improving a variety of conditions and diagnoses.
In recent years, DBT has been empirically validated for treating other issues such as depression, impulsivity, anger, eating disorders, & more.
What to Expect in DBT
Individual DBT Sessions
DBT-to-fidelity asks for a "gentleman's agreement" to commit to a 1-year of weekly therapy. Stage 1 of DBT treatment sessions focus on stabilizing mood and changing behavior. A heavy emphasis is placed on mindfulness and applying skills learned in DBT group to your specific situation. DBT therapists help clients build “a life worth living.”
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Stage 2 of DBT includes processing traumatic memories through exposure treatments or changing unhelpful core beliefs that are a result of traumatic invalidation.
DBT Skills Training Group
Weekly DBT-Skills Training Groups cover specific skills to increase mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT Skills Groups are like a class (not therapy).
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Standard DBT for Adults involves a minimum of 52 weeks of group so that all of the skills are reviewed at least twice. The material covered is from Marsha Linehan's "DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets." Members can join anytime.
Phone Coaching and Between Session Support
Clients participating in true DBT programs receive intersession support through telephone, text, and email. Therapists assist clients with in-the-moment crisis management, task accountability, and case management. The main priority of intersession contact is to maintain active use of DBT Skills for effective coping.
Parent Coaching & Support (DBT for Adolescents)
Kids don’t come with a handbook. That’s why caregivers with children in therapy at PSYCHÄ“ most often meet with a parent coach to get a behavioral therapy education. Parents learn tips and tricks to implement with their child at home. Coaches create plans to assist caregivers in changing things as quickly as possible—and when the behavior is life-threatening, time is of the essence!
Board Certification matters.
Becoming a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician isn’t easy. It involves multiple steps including:
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Attending 2 week-long intensive DBT trainings which are separated by several months
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Meeting weekly with a DBT consultation team assigned to you from the intensive program for 2.5 hours each we
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Consultation team case presentation
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Passing a multiple-choice exam of 110 questions and 10 pilot questions held at a Pearson Vue testing site based upon the DBT Texts and trainings
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Submitting 3 video recorded therapy sessions and passing 2 out of 3 for adherence
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Passing a written DBT case conceptualization of the patient participating in the recordings
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Evidence of engaging in regular mindfulness practice