DBT in a Partial Hospital and Intensive Outpatient Program over 2 Years: Assessing Clinical Outcomes

The objective of this study was to examine how DBT in a PH and IOP setting effect change scores in clinical symptoms and mindfulness. This research examined outcomes with a heterogeneous sample of patients including 171 adults that attended either a PH program or an IOP in 2023 (N = 87) and 2024 (N = 84). This current study assessed intake/discharge data to examine change scores in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, hopelessness, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mindfulness changes were also assessed. Findings showed symptom reduction on all clinical scales and mindfulness increased on some sub-scales for patients in both programs. Mindfulness was analyzed and reported separately from other clinical symptom variables, depression, anxiety, stress, hopelessness, and PTSD. This is because mindfulness represented a core DBT skill and a hypothesized mechanism of change rather than a symptom outcome. As such, mindfulness outcomes were examined independently alongside changes in clinical symptoms. DBT-PH programs or IOPs may have benefits for patients seeking a more intense alternative to standard outpatient treatment or as an alternative to residential treatment.