Who Benefits from DBT?

DBT is particularly effective for people who struggle with any of the following problems:

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

  • Self-harm

  • Intense negative emotions (e.g., sadness; anxiety)

  • Impulsive, self-damaging behaviours (e.g., binge-eating; unsafe sex; overspending)

  • Substance abuse

  • Difficulties with anger management

  • Difficulties with relationships

  • Chronic feelings of emptiness

  • Eating disorders

We offer DBT programs for both adults and adolescents in Toronto and across Ontario. Contact us to find out if DBT could be helpful for you.

Evidence that DBT Works

DBT has been widely researched for more than twenty years. The evidence from these studies has established that DBT works (Kliem, Kroger, & Kosfelder, 2010; Lieb et al., 2004). Across all treatments available for Borderline Personality Disorder, DBT is considered to have the largest and strongest base of evidence supporting its effectiveness (NHMRC, 2013; NICE, 2009).

DBT is associated with reduced risk of:

  • Suicide attempts

  • Self-harm

  • Suicidal ideation

  • Hospitalizations

  • Emergency room visits

  • Impulsive, self-damaging behaviours

  • Substance abuse

  • Hopelessness

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

In addition, DBT is associated with improvements in:

  • Overall adjustment

  • Social adjustment

  • Anger management

  • Participation in treatment

In addition to being effective with adults, research has also supported the effectiveness of DBT for adolescents (Mehlum et al., 2016). In particular, studies show that adolescent DBT is better than treatment as usual in:

  • Long-term reduction in self-harm

  • Rapid recovery from suicidal ideation

  • Improvements in depression

  • Reduction in symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

Contact us today to see if DBT can help you. We provide DBT and other services in Toronto and across Ontario, Canada.