From the Archives of Suicide Research:
A randomized controlled study published in the journal Archives of Suicide Research in October 2014, has found evidence suggesting that a modified 16-week DBT course to be effective in the treatment of self-harming teens with BPD symptoms. The study, which included 27 adolescents between the age of 12 and 18, was designed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the DBT treatment approach for teenagers.
It is the first randomized controlled study to look at the efficaciousness of DBT treatment for this population and findings suggest that, “ . . . DBT adapted for adolescents could lead to early reduction in self-harm behavior.” Urges for self-harm were significantly reduced throughout the sample population and these reductions were stable in a majority of participants interviewed one year later.
DBT, a well documented 52-week treatment designed for adults with BPD, which focuses on cognitive and behavioral changes while utilizing an acceptance based strategy, was modified for adolescents. The modified version was reduced down to 16-weeks and included 1 hour of individual therapy per week, one weekly 2-hour multifamily skills training group, family therapy sessions on an as needed basis, and inter-session telephone coaching in skills use.
To read the full study, click here.