Implementation and feasibility of dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents: a group program delivered in a tertiary care setting

Implementation and feasibility of dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents: a group program delivered in a tertiary care setting

Adolescents presenting with suicidal and self-harm behaviours often require evidencebased interventions to mitigate burdens on families and health services. Despite burgeoning evidence for a number of mental health interventions, there are gaps in the literature on the implementation of these programs in public mental health settings. This program of research explores the effects of implementing a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) program in the West Moreton child and youth mental health service in Queensland, Australia. Two studies examined the pilot implementation and feasibility of the DBT-A program. Study 1 was a service level evaluation conducted following the implementation of DBT-A. Findings of the study showed that several participants did make statistical improvement and clinically meaningful change on a least one measure with more than half of the participants responding well to treatment. The study also identified the challenges and requirements for successful program implementation. Study 2 was a case series analysis to understand impact of the program on adolescents presenting with varied psychosocial circumstances. Results of the study revealed that high levels of treatment engagement and attendance could be achieved by adolescents and their families. The involvement of parents/carers was found to be an important contributing factor in treatment engagement and retention. Results also indicated that the clinical outcomes were better for individual adolescents that had chronic and complex psychosocial factors in addition to mental health concerns. The findings of the two studies affirm the potential of DBT-A in addressing the needs of adolescents presenting with complex and severe mental health concerns. Implications for the implementation of the program in public mental health settings are discussed, as well as directions for future research.

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.