Our Focus Together
      • What is DBT? 
      • Which patients can most benefit from DBT?
      • How can you tell if it’s really DBT? 
        (structure, modes, & functions)
      • What elements matter the most in DBT
      • What does DBT expect from clients before 
        beginning DBT?
      • How do you make a referral to PDBTI? 
    2  © 2013 Linda Dimeff, PhD & Portland DBT Institute. Please do not reproduce or distribute without 
                       permission.
                   What is DBT? 
   • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a 
     principle-driven, comprehensive, multi-modal 
     treatment for severe, complex and multi-
     diagnostic patients whose problems are caused or 
     controlled by pervasive emotion dysregulation. 
   • DBT is an integration of three philosophies: 
     cognitive-behavioral, acceptance, & dialectics.  
   • DBT focuses on building a life worth living; it is 
     not palliative care.
    3  © 2013 Linda Dimeff, PhD & Portland DBT Institute. Please do not reproduce or distribute without 
                       permission.
         Which Patients Can Benefit 
                              from DBT?
      •  Multiple diagnoses = multiple problems
          – confusing, crisis-oriented treatment
      •  Poor client retention
          – inadequate treatment dose
      •  High hospitalization rates & serious suicide risk
          – interrupted treatment, therapist stress
      •  Relationship-relevant problems
          – empathy reducing effect, therapist burnout
      •  Noncompliance
          – power struggles, feelings of helplessness
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           Clinical Populations for 
          Whom DBT is Efficacious
    • Chronically suicidal individuals
    • Multi-diagnosed, difficult to treat clients 
    • BPD
    • BPD + substance abuse
    • Non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors
    • Bulimia and binge eating
    • Depression in the elderly
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            DBT Outcomes at a Glance
      Reduces:
         • Suicidal behaviors
         • Non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors (NSSI)
         • Depression
         • Hopelessness 
         • Anger
         • Eating disorders (binge eating, bulimia) 
         • Substance dependence
         • Impulsiveness
         • STD/HIV high risk behaviors
      Increases:
         • Adjustment (general & social)
         • Positive self-esteem
         • Treatment retention
    6    © 2013 Linda Dimeff, PhD &Portland DBT Institute. Please do not reproduce or 
         distribute without permission.