Marsha M. Linehan, PhD, ABPP, the developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Director Emeritus of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics at the University of Washington. Before retiring in 2019, she devoted her career to developing and evaluating evidence-based treatments for populations with high suicide risk and multiple, severe mental disorders. Dr. Linehan is the 2025 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Her contributions to suicide research and clinical psychology research have also been recognized with the University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Psychology, the Career/Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Application of Psychology from the American Psychological Foundation, and the James McKeen Cattell Award from the Association for Psychological Science. In her honor, the American Association of Suicidology created the Marsha Linehan Award for Outstanding Research in the Treatment of Suicidal Behavior. Dr. Linehan was featured in TIME Great Scientists: The Geniuses and Visionaries Who Transformed Our World. She is founder of the Linehan Institute and is a Zen master.
Preface
Preface to the Second Edition
How to Use This Book
I. An Introduction to DBT Skills Training
1. Rationale for Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training
2. Planning to Conduct DBT Skills Training
3. Structuring Skills Training Sessions
4. Skills Training Treatment Targets and Procedures
5. Application of Fundamental DBT Strategies in Behavioral Skills Training
Part I Appendices
II. Teaching Notes for DBT Skills Modules
6. General Skills: Orientation and Analyzing Behavior
7. Mindfulness Skills
8. Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
9. Emotion Regulation Skills
10. Distress Tolerance Skills
Index