Piloting a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Infused Skills Group in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP)

Abstract

This study explored the impact of a 4-week skills group intervention based on the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with a sample of adolescents attending a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program. This article provides a session-by-session overview of activities adapted from DBT-specified training modules of mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. The results of a pre/posttest comparison revealed reductions in student- and parent-reported indicators of behavioral distress when compared to a control sample of students not receiving the intervention. Implications and continuing challenges of conducting efficacy studies of clinical interventions in schools are discussed.

Keywords:

• alternative education programs
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• efficacy
• structured psychoeducation groups

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the students, counselors, and teaching and administrative staff at the DAEP campus for their participation and assistance with the completion of this project. We also acknowledge the assistance of counseling interns and research assistants from the university.

Notes

Note: Table 1 shows the means and standard deviations of subscales of the YOQ–30.2 for Student Self-Reports in treatment and control groups. Standard deviations are provided in parentheses.

Note: Table 2 shows the means and standard deviations of sub-scales of the YOQ–30.2 for Parent Reports in treatment and control groups. Standard deviations are provided in parentheses.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard J. Ricard

Richard J. Ricard, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Eunice Lerma, Ph.D., is now an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies at the University of Texas–Brownsville. Courtney C. C. Heard, Ph.D., is now a program specialist with the Texas Department of State Health Services.