How DBT is your therapist?
Ask these questions to find out.
DBT Peer Consultation Team Questions
DBT Peer Consult Team is a group of therapists who work together to treat clients. It is an essential part of full and comprehensive DBT. Read more…
Are you a part of a weekly DBT Peer Consult Team?
Being a part of a weekly DBT Peer Consultation Team is the MINIMUM requirement for any DBT Therapist whether they are involved with DBT Group or Individual Therapy. Meetings are a minimum of 1 hour weekly.
What is the agenda for your current DBT Peer Consult Team?
There is a very specific agenda for DBT Peer Consult meetings. If they do not mention mindfulness, reading the DBT agreements, and setting an agenda, it may not be a true DBT Peer Consult Team.
How long have you been a part of your current DBT Peer Consult Team?
DBT peer consult team requires commitment & trust. Joining or leaving a team can be disruptive to it's members and should not be taken lightly. The longer a therapist has been a member of their team, the better.
DBT Training
Where, how, and if (!) a therapist received DBT training is important.
Where did you receive your DBT training?
Trainings by Behavioral Tech are considered the gold standard for learning DBT as the company was founded and maintained by the treatment developer, Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. If your DBT therapist has never attended a formal training provided by B-Tech or by a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Clinician, you may want to reconsider.
Was/Is your supervisor a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Clinician?
Therapists who have passed the rigorous standards to become Linehan Board Certified are helpful in ensuring DBT treatment-to-fidelity. If your therapist is offering DBT, ideally, they will be supervised or regularly consult with a bona fide DBT expert holding this designation. To learn more about how the Linehan Board holds therapists accountable go to dbt-lbc.org
When did you last participate in DBT specific continuing education?
Adherent DBT therapists are recommended to obtain a minimum of 15 Continuing Education credits every 2 years. These are often formal, professional training workshops offered by Behavioral Tech and some may be obtained by attendance at the annual ISITDBT Conference.