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Application Process

DBT Groups

DBT-Informed skills groups

Application Process for Cambridge Health Alliance Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program

STEP 1:

IF CLIENT HAS A THERAPIST, then the therapist fills out a DBT referral form (above right):

1. If client is being seen at Cambridge Health Alliance, email form to Matthew Leeds, PhD, and Martha Sweezy, PhD.

To follow up on a DBT referral, please contact Dr. Leeds
at 617-575-5373

2. If client is not currently seen at the Alliance and referral is being sent from outside the system, then print and mail to: (to Matthew Leeds, PhD, 26 Central Street, Somerville, MA 02143) or fax referral to (617-591-6029)

  • In addition, if client is not currently seen at the Alliance and if Dr. Leeds agrees it would be appropriate for this individual to pursue participation in the DBT program, then client must call to make an appointment for a General Psychiatry Intake Evaluation (617-591-6033). (A general Psychiatry Intake Evaluation is a prerequisite for participation in the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy [DBT] Program).

IF CLIENT DOES NOT HAVE A THERAPIST, then client should call to make an appointment for a General Psychiatry Intake Evaluation (617-591-6033) and mention an interest in the DBT program with a goal of assessing whether DBT is the best treatment option.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants should be aware at the outset that the commitment in this DBT program is one year of both a weekly skills group and an individual therapy that follows the DBT protocol.

STEP 2:

Call Dr. Matthew Leeds (617-575-5377) to schedule a DBT intake evaluation.

STEP 3:

Sign up for the next DBT Pre-Commitment group, a 1-session informational group to orient individuals interested in DBT before they commit to a year of treatment.

  • This group runs periodically (approximately every two months), usually on a Friday in the late afternoon (specific time TBA).

STEP 4:

After meeting with Dr. Leeds and completing the Pre-Commitment group, individuals are on a waiting list. A rough estimate of the current wait time to begin in a DBT group is 3 months (the actual wait time may be less or more than that).

STEP 5:

Assignment to a DBT skills group and (as soon as possible) an individual DBT therapist.

  • Individuals who have a DBT trained therapist outside of the Cambridge Health Alliance system can discuss the option of continuing in that treatment.
  • DBT individual therapists at Cambridge Health Alliance usually sit on a DBT treatment team that meets weekly, and the final decision to waive the requirement that clients see a Cambridge Health Alliance individual DBT therapist will be made by the Alliance's DBT staff.

DBT GROUPS

DBT Groups

1. Wednesday, 10:00-11:40 AM: For women only, co-led by Matthew Leeds, PhD and Linda Hutton, PsyD

2. Friday, 9:00-10:40 AM: For women and men, co-led by Matthew Leeds, PhD and Martha Sweezy, PhD

Advanced DBT groups

Prerequisite for advanced groups - graduation from a DBT group at Cambridge Health Alliance and space in the group.

1. Tuesday, 3:00-4:30 PM, ongoing, women only.

 

DBT-INFORMED SKILLS GROUPS

(These groups are in the Outpatient Psychiatry Department and DO NOT require clients to be in an individual DBT therapy)

1. Thursdays 4:00 - 5:30 PM at 26 Central Street: For women who do not self-injure, attempt suicide, abuse substances or make significant use of emergency rooms or inpatient units. This group may include graduates from a one-year DBT skills group who wish to consolidate and extend their skills practice. It is an "intermediate" group. All participants must be in an individual therapy, but DBT individual therapy is not required..

Commitment is for 6 months. As individuals graduate, new members will come in. Please contact Chris Carter-Husk, LICSW, with referrals.

If emailing from outside CHA, please do not use client names or information, just send a query asking for further contact.

If emailing from inside CHA, please describe why client is appropriate for this group given the inclusion criteria, the client's goals for treatment, diagnosis and insurance. A half-hour screening interview will be scheduled.

2. Fridays 5:00 - 6:30 PM at 26 Central Street: For men & women who do not self-injure, attempt suicide, abuse substances or make significant use of emergency rooms or inpatient units. This group may include graduates from a one-year DBT skills group who wish to consolidate and extend their skills practice. It is an "intermediate" group. All participants must be in an individual therapy, but DBT individual therapy is not required.

Commitment is for 6 months. As individuals graduate new members will come in.

Please contact Martha Sweezy, PhD, with referrals (617-575-5373).

DBT Referral Form
1. Click on the referral form link above.
2. Save the form to
your desktop.
3. Fill out the form
and save.
4. Attach the form
to an email.
5. Send to the appropriate party.