Portland DBT Institute

Since 1998, we have provided comprehensive DBT and other related services “by the book” – as it was originally developed and evaluated by DBT treatment developer, Marsha M. Linehan, PhD at the University of Washington. This includes individual therapy, DBT skills training, phone consultation for between-session coaching in really difficult situations, and (when needed) nutrition support and medication management services. Institute Director Linda Dimeff, PhD directs all clinical services at PDBTI. Dr. Dimeff is a former student of Dr. Linehan’s and remains a consultant and advisor for her research clinic at the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics (BRTC) at the University of Washington.

DBT is considered the most researched, best supported treatment for people with severe, complex, and emotion-based problems including suicidality, self-harm, and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Research over the past two decades, however, shows that DBT is not just for BPD. We now know that DBT is highly effective for eating disorders, substance use disorders, depression, and complex trauma. An underlying premise in DBT is that painful emotions drive clients to use ineffective “target behaviors” that make the situation worse in the long run.

We strive to provide the highest quality care to those we serve, in order to help all of our clients build a life worth living.

Our Eating Disorder program is designed to provide DBT-adherent treatment of eating disorders based on evidence-based modifications to standard DBT made at Stanford University by eating disorder experts Christy Telch, PhD, Debra Safer, MD, and Stuart Agras, MD, in collaboration with Marsha M. Linehan, PhD. Our primary goal is to guide individuals diagnosed with eating disorders through a process of recovery by attending to and changing behavioral, emotional, and cognitive patterns. In addition to DBT, our programs includes nutritional therapy and medication management.

Levels of Care:

We offer standard outpatient DBT, as well as Intensive Outpatient Services. 

Our unique IOP is an excellent fit for adults and young adults struggling with eating disordered behaviors who may need more support than traditional outpatient services can offer or are transitioning to the community from a higher level of care. Individuals partner with our IOP to:

• avoid hospitalization and other higher levels of care
• receive more treatment in fewer weeks or make rapid progress due to time constraints (e.g., returning to school or work) or travel limitations (e.g., living a far distance from where treatment is available) 
• achieve greater structure and support than is available through standard outpatient care
• find treatment effective for problems which are more complex, severe, and potentially life-threatening and require more frequent care
• “start strong” before starting standard outpatient DBT

Our ED-IOP is built on a firm DBT foundation and is provided in a DBT-adherent setting by expert clinicians.  

Common Characteristics of People in our ED-IOP

• Complex, severe, multi-diagnostic and/or have a history of trying other ED treatments which were not successful
• Meet criteria for one or more of the following eating disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), ED-Other Specific Feeding/Eating Disorders
• 18 years or older
• Medically stable enough for outpatient care