What is Standard DBT?
DBT is a cognitive behavioral and mindfulness treatment developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD, at the University of Washington for the treatment of intense emotional dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, chronic life-threatening behaviors, or other severely problematic behaviors that reduce quality of life. DBT helps clients pursue their ultimate goals and learn skills to achieve them. Research has shown DBT to be effective in decreasing suicidal behavior, treatment dropout, psychiatric hospitalization, anger, and interpersonal problems, as well as increasing social functioning.
What is DBT-ACES?
DBT-ACES (Accepting the Challenges of Employment and Self-Sufficiency) is an optional second year of the program which has a special focus on the ability to pursue a career of your choice, work at a living wage, and be financially independent. This is our focus for many reasons, chief among them are:
- financial independence and freedom from poverty
- the ability to make choices in your life free from the opinions and rules of disability payers, social services, family or friends
- reducing anxiety and depression by spending ongoing structured time in a supportive environment where you are an “insider” not an “outsider” (also known as work, college, or training program)
- concrete way to follow your vision and values
- assuming a role which gives you status in your social community
- to promote further hopes, dreams, and plans for the future
Program Structure
- Screening and Pre-Treatment: Prospective clients meet with a DBT clinician to discuss whether DBT is the right program to pursue their long-term goals. Only clients who demonstrate a high level of commitment are admitted to the program. Others are asked to re-apply when they can make treatment a top priority.
- Treatment Duration: Standard DBT at Harborview is 12 months. At 6 months, you and your clinician will discuss whether you have been able to participate fully and whether DBT is helping you achieve your goals. If DBT still appears to be a good fit for you, you will go on to complete the full 12 months.
- Standard DBT (12 months):
- One hour of individual therapy each week. In DBT, each individual session follows an agenda, and requires that you track your progress in between sessions.
- A 2-hour group therapy session each week. The group resembles a class, and homework is reviewed each week.
- Between-session phone coaching with your individual therapist (as needed).
- The team of clinicians meets each week to support each other in providing you the best possible treatment.
- Normative/Productive Activities: Starting at 4 months into treatment, clients are required to engage in non-therapy activities for 10-20 hours each week.
- DBT-ACES (optional 2nd year): Once you have graduated DBT, if you are interested in pursuing financial independence through living wage employment, you can apply for the second-year ACES program. This program focuses on pursuing a career that you want, and involves many of the same elements as standard DBT (individual therapy, group therapy, phone coaching, and a team of therapists). As with standard DBT, the program is generally a year.
DBT Skills Group Classes
DBT requires attendance at weekly skills training groups (aka classes). Here are the times these are currently offered:
Tuesdays 2:00-4:00pm
Wednesdays 1:00-3:00pm
Thursdays 2:00-4:00pm
Wednesdays 1:00-3:00pm
Thursdays 2:00-4:00pm
The DBT-ACES skills training group (an optional program for graduates of DBT interested in returning to work) meets Thursdays 9:00-11am..
Harborview DBT offers a DBT Family Group Therapy program which offers skills-based strategies for family members with a loved one who struggles with mental health problems. The DBT Family Group runs for twelve weeks on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:30.
Harborview DBT offers a DBT Family Group Therapy program which offers skills-based strategies for family members with a loved one who struggles with mental health problems. The DBT Family Group runs for twelve weeks on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:30.