Since 1991 when the first randomized, controlled trial supporting the efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy was published, the behavioral health community and its stakeholders have had an ever-increasing interest in the development of standards that insure that individuals and programs delivering DBT are doing so with fidelity to the model.
As more studies were done and dissemination of the treatment began in earnest, the need for these types of standards has become increasingly important to a number of concerned parties including:
- Individuals in need of treatment.
- Family members and loved ones of those in need of treatment.
- Third-party payers.
- Practitioners, researchers and treatment developers.
- Professional societies and organizations
The concerns of these stakeholders include:
- Individuals have the right to be informed regarding the credentials of a provider
- Individuals receiving care, their family members and loved ones have the right to some measure of assurance the provider is capable of giving the “best care” possible.
- Third party payers have an obligation to manage health care resources by providing access to quality care while managing health care funding in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
- Clinicians have the right to be recognized for providing high quality services, thus distinguishing the provider from others less qualified.
Given these concerns, by the summer of 2005, the workgroup for Certification and Accreditation was formed to develop a comprehensive way to certify individual therapists in their competency to deliver DBT effectively and to accredit programs that demonstrate their ability to deliver DBT programmatically with fidelity to the model as it has been researched.
Much has been accomplished despite numerous and varied roadblocks to the process. The actual fulfillment of the need to Certification and Accreditation is moving forward. Keep coming back to the website for updates throughout the year.