Up to 50% of youth with bipolar spectrum disorder (BD) attempt suicide, and of all psychiatric diagnoses, BD imparts the greatest risk for death by suicide in youth. Although adjunctive psychotherapy is a critical component of optimal treatment for individuals with BD, little is known about effective psychotherapy approaches for adolescents, and few interventions target suicide risk in adolescents with BD.
In this presentation, we describe the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and present the rationale for examining DBT for individuals with BD. We share results from a body of work developing and examining DBT for adolescents with BD and their families, with a specific focus on decreasing suicide risk in this population. Implications for clinical practice are outlined.
Tina R. Goldstein, Ph.D is a licensed psychologist and The Pittsburgh Foundation Endowed Professor in Psychiatry Research, and Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. She serves in numerous leadership roles, including and Director of the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Spectrum (CABS) Clinic and Director of the Services for Teens at Risk (STAR) Center. She is also deeply committed to mentoring and training and serves as Director of the NIMH-funded postdoctoral training program in child and adolescent mental health.
Dr. Goldstein’s clinical and research interests focus on understanding the etiology and treatment for youth with, and at-risk for, mood disorders and suicide. Her research program is supported by grant funding from federal and private foundations including the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). She is the author of over 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters on the topics of bipolar disorder, depression and suicidality in youth and is co-author of a book on the treatment of suicidal youth. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Klerman Young Investigator Award from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
Resources mentioned in the webinar:
Online course for relatives/support persons that includes DBT skills: https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org/family-connections/
Information about a clinical research study CABS is conducting at the University of Pittsburgh for the 12-18 year-old children of parents with bipolar disorder: https://pittplusme.org/studyarms/publicdetails?guid=e24e7a01-7b0f-4aff-85ec-885f02171903
Help finding a certified DBT provider near you (please note that this only includes professionals who have gone through the Linehan Board certification process; many well-trained professionals deliver DBT-informed treatment without going through the certification process): https://dbt-lbc.org/
The content of the International Bipolar Foundation webinars is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician and never disregard professional medical advice because of something you have read in any IBPF content.