Treatment of individuals with borderline personality disorder using dialectical behavior therapy in a community mental health setting: Clinical application and a preliminary investigation Original Research Article

This article describes an effort to implement and examine dialectical behavior therapyʹs (DBT) effectiveness in a community mental health setting. Modifications made to address unique aspects of community mental health settings are described. Barriers encountered in implementation of DBT treatment in community mental health settings, such as staff turnover, maintaining fidelity to the treatment model, staff selection, and structuring skills training, are discussed. Preliminary data are presented that examine the effectiveness of DBT in a group of indigent clients receiving treatment at a community mental health center who have comorbid diagnoses of borderline personality disorder and a severe mental illness on Axis I.