Dialectical Behavior Therapy Consultation

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a leading example of an evidence-based practice. DBT was originally developed as an outpatient treatment for adults struggling with symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder. Since its development in 1993, DBT has been adapted to fit a diverse population and has been applied in varied settings such as public schools, community-based group living environments, hospitals, corrections facilities, and outreach treatment settings.

DBT has been proven to be effective with people who experience persistent emotional distress, have difficulty maintaining healthy and stable relationships, and rely on impulsive or risky behaviors to regulate or avoid their emotions, such as self-injury or suicidal behaviors. DBT has been used to treat high performing, but distressed students, adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances, people with eating disorders, substance use disorders and people with persistent mental illness and/or developmental disabilities.

DBT is a supportive and collaborative treatment that emphasizes skill-building and highly individualized treatment plans. The full treatment package includes four modalities: DBT Skills Groups, Individual Therapy, Coaching, and a Provider Consultation Team.

Since the inception of DBT, it has been adapted by Open Sky to treat various populations:

  • Young adults
  • Adults with mental illness
  • Adults with traumatic brain injury 
  • Adults with mental illness and problematic sexual behaviors
  • Adults with developmental disabilities
  • Older adults with depressive symptoms
  • Individuals with eating disorders
  • Individuals with substance misuse and/or dependence

Open Sky has received numerous awards and recognition for our state-of-the-art work with DBT, including the American Psychiatric Association Gold Award in 2004.

 

Training and Consultation

The decision to develop a DBT program or convert an existing program to the DBT model calls for thoughtful planning. Bridge consultants have extensive experience planning and implementing successful new programming. We can help your organization or school:

  • Create customized DBT training that suit your clientele and program goals,
  • Work with leadership members to develop a strategic plan for program transition to the DBT treatment model,
  • Devise a uniquely customized DBT-based behavior management system,
  • Develop specialized applications,
  • Provide consultation to clinicians as they develop expertise,
  • Develop a DBT adherent provider Consultation Team, and
  • Provide ongoing support.

Some of the organizations we have helped include:

Harvard-Vanguard Behavioral Health, Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, New York State Office of Development Disabilities, Alabama Mentoring Network, Denver Health Systems, The Mental Health Association of Lowell, Community Counseling of Bristol County, Baycove Human Services, The Key Program, and Deveraux.

In addition, we have provided training and consultation at the following schools: Algonquin Regional High School, Assabet Valley Collaborative, Dover-Sherborn, Fairfield CT, Greenwich CT, Marlborough Schools, Mendon-Upton Regional Schools, Milford, Millis, Nashoba Regional, Reading, Scituate, Wachusett Regional, Westborough, Westport CT. and Worcester Public Schools.

 

Virtual DBT Consultation Team for Practitioners

Are you looking for a DBT Consultation team to put the last puzzle piece of your DBT practice in place?

Do you want to run your own DBT team, but would like more experience being on a team to increase your comfort level?

The Bridge Training Institute and Elizabeth Plante are offering an exciting opportunity to be on a virtual DBT Consultation Team! This team will fulfill the requirement of being a member of a DBT Consultation team necessary for:

  • Practicing the treatment with adherence
  • DBT Certification through the Linehan DBT Board of Certification

Requirements:

  • Fully trained in all four modes of DBT (with willingness to attend the Training Institute’s half-day virtual training on DBT Consultation team)
  • Currently practicing (or ready to start practicing) DBT with at least two individuals
  • Ability to commit to a weekly virtual DBT Consultation Team for one year
  • Willingness to follow the DBT Consultation Team Agreements and hold the DBT Assumptions about people and treatment in order to maintain the culture of a DBT Consultation Team
  • Willingness to help create and strengthen a DBT Team culture with a newly formed team

Our next team will begin in June of 2024. If you are interested and need further training prior to joining, please consider registering for one or both of our DBT Training Series.

For more information, please contact:

traininginstitute@openskycs.org