Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive team based psychological therapy approach developed for individuals with difficulties consistent with a diagnosis of personality disorder and associated risk behaviours. DBT is underpinned by a biosocial model which explains the transaction between emotional vulnerability and invalidating environments and now current difficulties have developed. The biosocial model highlights the central focus on emotion in DBT. We will look at the fundamental tenets of DBT considering the balance between acceptance and change. The functions and modes in DBT will be described with reference to adaptations to the full model. The essence of the four skills modules in DBT will be described: Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness. DBT as a trauma informed therapy will be addressed. The evidence base for the efficacy and effectiveness of DBT will be reviewed with attention to complexity, cultural adaptation, and diversity.
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Dr Janet Feigenbaum is an International consultant trainer in DBT for British Isles DBT Training. Janet is an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at University College London, strategic and clinical lead for the IMPART (Intensive Management of Personality disorders: Assessment and Recovery Team), and the lead for Evidence Based Practice in Psychological Therapies. Janet is director of the HEE funded Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Personality Disorder (PD) at UCL. Janet provides training, supervision, and consultation in DBT and PD service development in the UK, Ireland, and Europe.
Janet completed intensive training in DBT in Seattle with Marsha Linehan, the originator of DBT, in 1999/2000 while director of research for the Oscar Hill Service for PD where she led on a naturalistic RCT of the effectiveness of DBT in the NHS1. In 2003 she moved to North East London Foundation Trust and established one of the 11 National Pilot sites for interventions for personality disorder funded by the Department of Health (DDART; specialising in providing DBT and CBT for individuals with PD and co-morbid substance abuse). The service was successfully devolved across all four boroughs and widened the remit to become IMPART. In September 2012 IMPART was selected by NHS England as one of three UK IAPT SMI demonstration sites for the treatment of people with PD.
Janet was formerly chairman of the Board of Certification and Accreditation for the Society of DBT UK, and is now the chair of the Conference and CPD committee. In 2015 Janet and her co-applicants were awarded a five year NIHR programme grant to develop and evaluate DBT-Skills for Employment in the UK (EMPOWER)2. Over the past two years Janet has delivered national webinars on the delivery of DBT by telehealth, and on working with cognitions in DBT. Janet’s ongoing research interests include: evaluation of a stepped care pathway for individuals with a PD and high risk behaviour, development and evaluation of a DBT skills group programme for individuals with PD and comorbid bulimia, and evaluating the impact of Motivational Interviewing strategies on engagement in psychological treatment for individuals with PD.
Feigenbaum, J., Fonagy, P., Pilling, S., Bebbington, P., Jones, A., Wildgoose, A. (2012), ‘A Randomized Control Trial of the Effectiveness of DBT in the UK NHS’, British Journal of Clinical Psychology. 51(2), 121-141.
Feigenbaum, J. (2018) ‘Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Skills for Employment”, in Swales, M. A. Oxford University Hand book of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Links:
- Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: bit.ly/new-talks5
- Check out our next event: theweekenduniversity.com/events
- Dr Feigenbaum’s Profile: ucl.ac.uk/pals/people/janet-feigenbaum
- Dr Feigenbaum’s dbt training: dbt-training.co.uk/trainer/janet-feigenbaum
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive team based psychological therapy approach developed for individuals with difficulties consistent with a diagnosis of personality disorder and associated risk behaviours. DBT is underpinned by a biosocial model which explains the transaction between emotional vulnerability and invalidating environments and now current difficulties have developed. The biosocial model highlights the central focus on emotion in DBT. We will look at the fundamental tenets of DBT considering the balance between acceptance and change. The functions and modes in DBT will be described with reference to adaptations to the full model. The essence of the four skills modules in DBT will be described: Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness. DBT as a trauma informed therapy will be addressed. The evidence base for the efficacy and effectiveness of DBT will be reviewed with attention to complexity, cultural adaptation, and diversity.
---
Dr Janet Feigenbaum is an International consultant trainer in DBT for British Isles DBT Training. Janet is an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at University College London, strategic and clinical lead for the IMPART (Intensive Management of Personality disorders: Assessment and Recovery Team), and the lead for Evidence Based Practice in Psychological Therapies. Janet is director of the HEE funded Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Personality Disorder (PD) at UCL. Janet provides training, supervision, and consultation in DBT and PD service development in the UK, Ireland, and Europe.
Janet completed intensive training in DBT in Seattle with Marsha Linehan, the originator of DBT, in 1999/2000 while director of research for the Oscar Hill Service for PD where she led on a naturalistic RCT of the effectiveness of DBT in the NHS1. In 2003 she moved to North East London Foundation Trust and established one of the 11 National Pilot sites for interventions for personality disorder funded by the Department of Health (DDART; specialising in providing DBT and CBT for individuals with PD and co-morbid substance abuse). The service was successfully devolved across all four boroughs and widened the remit to become IMPART. In September 2012 IMPART was selected by NHS England as one of three UK IAPT SMI demonstration sites for the treatment of people with PD.
Janet was formerly chairman of the Board of Certification and Accreditation for the Society of DBT UK, and is now the chair of the Conference and CPD committee. In 2015 Janet and her co-applicants were awarded a five year NIHR programme grant to develop and evaluate DBT-Skills for Employment in the UK (EMPOWER)2. Over the past two years Janet has delivered national webinars on the delivery of DBT by telehealth, and on working with cognitions in DBT. Janet’s ongoing research interests include: evaluation of a stepped care pathway for individuals with a PD and high risk behaviour, development and evaluation of a DBT skills group programme for individuals with PD and comorbid bulimia, and evaluating the impact of Motivational Interviewing strategies on engagement in psychological treatment for individuals with PD.
Feigenbaum, J., Fonagy, P., Pilling, S., Bebbington, P., Jones, A., Wildgoose, A. (2012), ‘A Randomized Control Trial of the Effectiveness of DBT in the UK NHS’, British Journal of Clinical Psychology. 51(2), 121-141.
Feigenbaum, J. (2018) ‘Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Skills for Employment”, in Swales, M. A. Oxford University Hand book of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Links:
- Get our latest psychology lectures emailed to your inbox: bit.ly/new-talks5
- Check out our next event: theweekenduniversity.com/events
- Dr Feigenbaum’s Profile: ucl.ac.uk/pals/people/janet-feigenbaum
- Dr Feigenbaum’s dbt training: dbt-training.co.uk/trainer/janet-feigenbaum
