The implementation of dialectical behaviour therapy (dbt) in italian mental health services. Remarks on the emilia-romagna experimentation

Journal title PSICOBIETTIVO
Author/s Michele Sanza, Jeannette Campa, Lavinia Barone
Publishing Year 2023 Issue 2023/2 Language Italian
Pages 15 P. 42-56 File size 652 KB
DOI 10.3280/PSOB2023-002004
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The increased access of people with borderline personality disorders to public mental health services constitutes an important challenge for updating professional practices through the implementation of clinical models derived from therapies with evidence of effectiveness. In particular, the application of dialectical behaviour therapy in the context of mental health services constitutes an example of innovation with important positive implications on the efficacy of treatments and potentially the reduction of social costs connected to the epidemiology of personality disorders. The project of the Emilia-Romagna Region, derived from the 2013 guidelines on the treatment of serious personality disorders, supports the introduction of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skill Training, alone or in association with case management and expert psychiatric treatment, as an ordinary method of approach to the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. The model fits into a Stepped care of interventions differentiated by levels of clinical severity and degrees of treatment intensity, within the framework of priority reference values such as: non- judgmental services, empowerment of patients and clinicians, priority of psychosocial interventions in compared to pharmacological ones.

Keywords: Borderline Personality Disorder; Dialectical Behavior Therapy; Implementation; Stepped care.

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Michele Sanza, Jeannette Campa, Lavinia Barone, L’implementazione della Terapia Dialettico Comportamentale (DBT) nei Servizi di Salute Mentale in Italia in "PSICOBIETTIVO" 2/2023, pp 42-56, DOI: 10.3280/PSOB2023-002004