MED-DBT (Multidiagnostic Eating Disorders-Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is a comprehensive DBT treatment developed specifically for clients with eating disorders who have not been helped by other treatments. It simultaneously addresses the eating disorder alongside issues of suicidality, self-harm and other types of behavioral dyscontrol. It includes DBT individual therapy, skills training, telephone coaching outside of sessions, and a consultation team that includes all treaters.
MED-DBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps clients learn skills to manage their emotions, improve relationships and tolerate distress. It is particularly indicated for clients who have experienced two or more of the following:
- Unsuccessful attempts with evidence-based eating-disorder treatment as an outpatient
- Recurrent suicidal or self-injurious behavior
- Persistent emotion regulation difficulties
- Eating disorder behavior that is used to manage emotions
- History of behaviors that interfere with the person receiving treatment
Research on MED-DBT has shown improvements in:
- Eating disorder symptoms
- Emotion regulation
- Suicidal and self-injurious behaviors
- Therapy-interfering behaviors
- Psychiatric and medical hospitalizations
- Clinician burnout
Dr. Lucene Wisniewski, CEBT’s founder and practice leader, is one of the clinicians who first worked to develop this model of treatment. She and Dr. Anita Federici have co-authored a book on this treatment model, which is scheduled for publication in the 2nd half of 2025.