Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Services

DBT-RU is a specialty, outpatient training clinic at Rutgers GSAPP focused on the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and associated conditions. DBT-RU offers treatment to both adults and adolescents and their caregivers.  

Suicide is a leading cause of death among all age groups, and notably for individuals ages 10-24 it is the second leading cause of death. Other high-risk behaviors can also be significantly impairing to individuals’ qualities of life, functioning, and relationships, including non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, substance use, eating concerns, and others. DBT-RU's mission is to service the local community by providing affordable, accessible, high-quality and adherent services through our training clinic.  

DBT-RU was founded in 2010 by Shireen Rizvi, PhD, ABPP, an international expert in DBT research and training, and a student of Marsha Linehan, PhD, the developer of the treatment. Starting in Fall 2024, Lauren Bonavitacola, PsyD, and Liza Pincus, PsyD, began as co-directors of the DBT-RU clinic. Both co-directors are DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinicians and graduates of Rutgers GSAPP and the DBT-RU clinic. Our clinic therapists are advanced doctoral students from the GSAPP clinical psychology program and the Rutgers psychology PhD program.

In line with GSAPP’s core values of commitment to diversity and inclusion and promoting social justice in service to underserved populations, we at DBT-RU are committed to serving clients of all races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and religious beliefs.

DBT-RU is an adherent DBT program, offering all four modes of treatment:

1. Weekly individual therapy, including family sessions as needed  
2. Weekly skills training group for 6-7 months, including caregiver(s) in the adolescent program  
3. Between-session, brief telephone coaching to foster skills application
4. Weekly therapist team consultation for all treating therapists  

A full round of DBT treatment (Stage 1) includes a comprehensive intake, 4-6 weeks of pre-treatment orientation, and approximately 6-7 months of group and individual therapy. Ongoing treatment beyond Stage 1 will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Are you looking for ways to learn and practice your DBT skills? At DBT-RU, we have created quick videos and a card game to help you do so. Check them out here:

• Card game
• Videos
• Biosocial Theory Handout
• Biosocial Theory Handout (in Spanish)
• DBT Adult Crisis Plan 
• DBT Adolescent Crisis Plan
• Understanding Dialectics in DBT Handout

For more information about BPD, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a wealth of information.

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) also has a downloadable fact sheet on BPD and other associated disorders.

To find a certified DBT clinician in your area, the DBT-Linehan Board of Certifications has a directory.

Resources for families and friends:

NAMI

NEA-BPD

TARA Association for Personality Disorders

Resources for clinicians interested in DBT training opportunities:

Behavioral Tech, LLC

^{Please note these are informational only. Inclusion of these links should not be considered direct referrals or endorsement of these sites.}