Challenges and Potential Solutions to Implementing Phone Coaching in Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), yet many healthcare facilities struggle to implement one of the modes of DBT, phone coaching. The aims of this study were to present barriers and reported solutions regarding the implementation of DBT phone coaching. We conducted a sequential mixed methods national program evaluation that included a quantitative self-report survey completed by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities (N=59) offering any of the four modes of DBT. Subsequent qualitative interviews using a semi-structured interview guide informed by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) were completed with DBT providers and administrators from a subset (n = 16) of these VA sites. Four themes, the lack of tools and policies, compensation for phone coaching, clinician willingness to conduct phone coaching, and consistent program and leadership support were identified and illustrated in a case study. This study also offered concrete recommendations for those health care organizations, managers, administrators, and clinicians who may be interested in implementing phone coaching at their health care facilities.