The DBT Adherence Checklist for Individual Therapy (DBT AC-I)
A Pragmatic Measure of Adherence to DBT
The DBT Adherence Checklist for Individual Therapy (DBT AC-I; Harned, Schmidt, & Korslund, 2021) enables users to evaluate the degree to which individual therapy sessions are consistent with DBT. The DBT AC-I:
Assesses the strategies most critical to the adherent delivery of DBT using a simple checklist format.
Provides clear, behavioral anchors that define adherent and non-adherent delivery of each strategy.
Is accompanied by a training manual that provides detailed information about how to rate each item.
Benefits of the DBT AC-I
Efficient.
The DBT AC-I is brief and easy to use. Therapists report that it is not only simple and quick to learn, but it also helps them to better understand how to do DBT adherently.
Rigorous.
The DBT AC-I was derived from the gold standard measure of adherence to DBT, developed with feedback from DBT therapists and experts, and tested in routine practice.
Free.
The measure is publicly available and can be used free of charge. Multiple free training options are also available to help you learn how to use the measure.
Recommended Uses
Quality Monitoring
Use the DBT AC-I to evaluate the quality of DBT that you and/or other therapists are delivering.
Quality Improvement
Use the evaluation results to modify and improve the delivery of DBT when needed.
Supervision and Training
Use the DBT AC-I to inform supervision and identify therapist training needs.
Team Consultation
Use the DBT AC-I to obtain and/or provide consultation during DBT team meetings.
Research
Use the DBT AC-I to measure adherence in DBT research.
Getting Started
Before using the DBT AC-I, it is recommended that you complete the free training available on this website. These training options are intended to increase your ability to generate accurate scores on the DBT AC-I, but they are not guaranteed to do so. These training options are sufficient for anyone interested in using the DBT AC-I for purposes where it is not critical that scores be highly accurate, such as quality monitoring and improvement, supervision and training, and team consultation.
Options for Training
Read the DBT AC-I manual: All users are expected to read the manual before using the DBT AC-I. The manual provides detailed information about how to rate each DBT AC-I item as well as clinical examples to illustrate adherent vs. non-adherent delivery of each strategy.
Watch a webinar: This 2-hour webinar provides an introduction to the DBT AC-I, including its development, recommended uses, and research support. You will also learn directly from the measure developers about how to rate each item and avoid common rating errors.
Rate mock sessions: A suite of mock DBT sessions illustrating both adherent and non-adherent delivery of DBT are available for you to watch and practice rating using the DBT AC-I. For each session, you can compare your ratings to those of an expert.
For Researchers: If you are interested in using the DBT AC-I for research, additional training will be required to ensure that raters are reliable. Please contact us for information.
References
DBT AC-I Citation:
Harned, M. S., Schmidt, S. C., & Korslund, K. E. (2021). The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Adherence Checklist for Individual Therapy (DBT AC-I). https://www.dbtadherence.com/
DBT AC-I Psychometric Study:
Harned, M. S., Schmidt, S. C., Korslund, K. E. & Gallop, R. J. (2023). Development and evaluation of a pragmatic measure of adherence to Dialectical Behavior Therapy: The DBT Adherence Checklist for Individual Therapy. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-023-01274-x
Evaluating Adherence to DBT in Routine Practice
Harned, M. S., Schmidt, S. C., Korslund, K. E., & Gaglia, A. (2023). Therapist adherence to Dialectical Behavior Therapy in routine practice: Common challenges and recommendations for improvement. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-023-09601-x