Dialectical behaviour therapy: implementation of an evidence-based intervention for borderline personality disorder in public health systems

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is an intervention with demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness for individuals with borderline personality disorder. In recent years, research has shifted focus to the evaluation of DBT implementation in routine clinical settings. In this article, we consider the empirical evidence that guides clinicians and managers in health services with local implementation of DBT in community settings. Research on this topic has most recently advanced to the evaluation of coordinated implementation efforts. Although coordinated implementation has merit, it does not mitigate all implementation challenges. Consideration of implementation facilitators and barriers in DBT can also be applied to other evidence-based interventions for BPD and for adaptations for individuals with early-stage symptomatology. Ongoing research and evaluation in these areas is recommended.