Pilot of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training for people with psychosis spectrum conditions and high risk of suicide.

Abstract

Background: We conducted a community clinician training in DBT (n = 19) and a subsequent pilot DBT skills group (n = 7) to assess preliminary feasibility and acceptability of DBT for people with psychotic diagnoses and high risk of suicide, in anticipation of a pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).

Methods: For the clinician training we monitored attendance, satisfaction, and the proportion of clinicians who volunteered to be study clinicians. For the DBT pilot group, we collected data on acceptability, feasibility, satisfaction, preliminary quantitative outcomes, and posttreatment qualitative interviews.

Results: There was strong interest in DBT from community clinicians, with 95% of training participants indicating a desire to serve as volunteer study therapists. There was strong patient satisfaction with the DBT skills group, and improvements on measures of emotion dysregulation, depression, and suicidality. Patients described the group as causing improved emotional well-being, better interpersonal relationships, and reduced suicidality, and appreciated the group atmosphere and interactions with other group members.

Discussion: This pilot study suggested an encouraging outlook on DBT for people with psychosis and high risk of suicide, and there appeared to be strong stakeholder interest.