DBT PE

What is DBT PE?

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE) protocol is designed to treat PTSD among suicidal, self-injuring, and multi-diagnostic adolescents and adults receiving Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The DBT PE protocol is based on Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, a highly effective treatment for PTSD that utilizes in vivo and imaginal exposure followed by processing as the core treatment strategies. The integrated DBT and DBT PE protocol treatment uses a stage-based approach to comprehensively address the full range of problems experienced by high-risk, severe, and complex clients with PTSD.

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“On rare occasions, a work comes along that expands our basic assumptions, elevates our practice, improves client outcomes, and advances the field substantively. Harned’s DBT PE manual is just that work. DBT PE is a game changer for clients with trauma histories who need DBT.”
- ***Jill Rathus, PhD****, Co-developer of DBT for Adolescents*
“Harned has done a masterful job integrating DBT with PE and has conducted a body of research providing strong empirical support for this PTSD treatment.”
- ***Elizabeth Hembree, PhD****, PE expert*
“A well-organized, pragmatic, and user-friendly clinical handbook that takes the reader step by step from pre-treatment considerations to post-treatment next steps…The manual is engaging, encouraging, easy to understand, and solidly rooted in a strong evidence base.”
- ***Bagley (2022)****, Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy*

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Translations of the DBT PE manual are available in Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, and Russian.

New Online Course Available!

Applied DBT Skills for Trauma

Led by Dr. Melanie Harned, this advanced online course from Psychwire focuses on applying DBT skills to help clients stabilize and recover after trauma. The course also features Dr. Marsha Linehan and other DBT experts sharing key insights on using DBT skills to address trauma-related problems.

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Latest News

Free Webinar on Treatments for PTSD + BPD

Watch Dr. Harned’s webinar on Treating Comorbid PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder sponsored by the National Center for PTSD Consultation Program. Watch now.

First Meta-Analysis of DBT PE

The first meta-analysis of DBT-based treatments for PTSD found large effects in favor of DBT PE over control conditions in improving PTSD, BPD, depression, and non-suicidal self-injury. Read more.

Online Course on Applied DBT Skills for Trauma

Dr. Harned partnered with Psychwire to develop an advanced online training focused on using DBT skills to address a wide range of trauma-related problems. Learn more.

VA Grant to Study DBT PE with High-Risk Veterans

Dr. Harned has received a VA grant to conduct a multi-site randomized controlled trial of DBT + DBT PE versus PE + suicide risk management among Veterans with PTSD at elevated acute risk for suicide. Learn more.