Effectiveness and Outcomes of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE) among A Naturalistic Sample of Patients Receiving Comprehensive DBT

Abstract

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT; Linehan, 1993) and Prolonged Exposure (PE; Foa et al., 2019), and the relatively new, integrated treatment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE; Harned, 2022) have all shown to be efficacious in highly controlled randomized clinical trials. Limited research has investigated the effectiveness of DBT PE in naturalistic clients outside of the context rigorous controls within randomized clinical trials. As such, there is a relative lack of research on the effectiveness of DBT PE, especially in comprehensive DBT settings. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness and outcomes of DBT and Prolonged Exposure as well as characterize the number of DBT PE sessions and changes in PTSD severity over the course of DBT PE among a sample of 89 adult patients receiving comprehensive DBT services within a Linehan-certified clinic specializing in the delivery of comprehensive DBT. Specific recommendations were offered that may help improve the implementation of evidence-based assessment practices and overall clinic-wide standard operating procedures with the ultimate goal of supporting survivors in the treatment of trauma in the context of DBT.