Dialectical behavior therapy for justice-involved veterans (DBT-J): Feasibility and acceptability

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
• Criminal Justice and Veterans Affairs

Background:

• Justice-involved veterans represent a high-need population within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
• Traditional VHA outpatient services often struggle to address the complex mental health, substance use, and criminogenic needs of this group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an initial evaluation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-involved veterans (DBT-J).
• To assess the acceptability and feasibility of this novel psychotherapy program.

Main Methods:

• A 16-week program combining skills-based group therapy and individualized case management.
• An initial acceptability and feasibility trial involving 13 justice-involved veterans.
• Evaluation of implementation, recruitment, attendance, retention, fidelity, and acceptability.

Main Results:

• DBT-J demonstrated high ease of implementation, successful recruitment, and strong participant attendance and retention.
• High treatment fidelity and acceptability were reported by veteran participants, DBT-J providers, and adjunctive care providers.
• Veterans completing DBT-J showed a trend towards reduced criminogenic risk.

Conclusions:

• DBT-J is a feasible and acceptable intervention for justice-involved veterans within the VHA system.
• The program shows potential for addressing the multifaceted needs of this population.
• Further research with comparison groups is warranted to confirm efficacy.