Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents: Evidence, Applications, and Emerging Considerations

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) is a developmentally adapted, evidence-based intervention for young people experiencing emotion dysregulation, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. In recent years, a growing body of evidence such as randomised trials and meta-analyses have suggested DBT-A’s effectiveness across outpatient, inpatient, and community settings (Mehlum et al., 2014; McCauley et al., 2018; Kothgassner et al., 2021; Syversen et al., 2024).

19 January 2026

July 2020 – The Bridge

In this issue, we summarise recent studies on a wide range of topics – including sleep, sensory symptoms, emotional symptoms, disinhibition, alcohol misuse, complex PTSD symptoms, and self-harm – which reveal new insights helping us to better understand and address psychopathology in young people.

2 July 2020

Should we pay more attention to self-esteem in young people?

Researchers in Bordeaux, France have investigated the association between self-esteem (assessed in adolescence or adulthood), with adult academic and psychosocial outcomes.

18 August 2020

The overlap between low self-esteem and anxiety/depression in CAMHS

Our systematic review aimed to establish what is known about low self-esteem and anxiety/depression in young people (<18s). We wanted to find out whether young people with clinically significant anxiety disorders and/or depression also have low self-esteem as measured on validated questionnaires. We also wanted to know whether young people with low self-esteem as measured on a validated questionnaire develop depression and anxiety symptomology later in adolescence and young adulthood.

8 August 2018

Self image estimations impact on mental health

Our overall estimation of “self image” is thought to be based on various parameters, such as perceptions of body image, mental function and social attitude. Now, a study by Maria Di Blasi and colleagues has investigated the extent by which these different parameters can influence psychological well-being.

1 April 2018

Meet the expert: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A), with Dr. Jake Camp

We caught up with Dr. Jake Camp, who is a senior clinical psychologist in the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and a clinical academic fellow in King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, to discuss Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents, and his career.

26 January 2026

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A)

This interactive workshop, led by Dr. Jake Camp, Senior Clinical Psychologist, DBT Therapist, and Clinical Academic Fellow, will provide an overview of the DBT-A model, including its theoretical foundations, core principles, and the structure and modes of delivery. Attendees will learn how DBT-A addresses the developmental needs of adolescents, and how parents/carers are engaged as partners in the intervention.

Event type

Workshop

Location

Online

Creating Hope Through Action – Suicide Prevention, A Priority For All

World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) is a fantastic opportunity to encourage an understanding and increase awareness of suicide prevention and make suicide prevention a priority. We encourage you to explore the learning opportunities available on our website and do please share with your networks and colleagues.

8 September 2023

Professor Kapil Sayal

Kapil Sayal  is Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Honorary Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the University of Nottingham. He is an Associate Editor of CAMH, responsible for the Technology Matters section. 

16 June 2023

Environmental factors linked with identifying as a sexual minority may increase suicidality risk

Adolescents who identify as a sexual minority (e.g., gay/lesbian, bisexual) are at an increased risk for suicidality compared to their heterosexual counterparts.1 Until now, inherent limitations in study design has meant that the extent of this association has been unclear.

16 March 2021