An interventional study of Dialectical behavioral therapy in Bipolar Disorder, sponsored by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Recruiting at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 14 Years to 25 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-01.
Sponsored by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The study intervention is DBT adapted for youth with and/or at familial risk for bipolar disorder. Participants will have completed one full year of DBT in a previous study. This study is examining use of booster sessions. It is delivered in the form of individual sessions and skills sessions, based on the preference of the study participant. The study participant may also receive skills coaching via phone. There is no standard reference therapy/comparator against which the study intervention is being compared.
The study intervention is DBT adapted for youth with and/or at familial risk for bipolar disorder. Participants will have completed one full year of DBT in a previous study. This study is examining use of booster sessions. It is delivered in the form of individual sessions and skills sessions, based on the preference of the study participant. The study participant may also receive skills coaching via phone. DBT consists of four components: individual therapy sessions, skills sessions, skills coaching via phone, and consultation team. Given this study is an extension of an existing study of full DBT, the proposed intervention is not prescriptive; that is, we have opted not to dictate how many sessions participants will receive and/or when. Instead, we have opted to leave this decision for participants and their treatment providers to reach collaboratively. Participants, in consultation with their study therapist, will select the frequency of their booster sessions. This may include individual and/or skills sessions in addition to phone coaching for those who attend individual sessions at least once per month. DBT consultation will also remain a component of the treatment. This level of intervention seems appropriate, given that participants have completed a full year of DBT and thus may require a less intensive treatment for continued care. Moreover, it is important to give youth autonomy in treatment options to model health decision making for other life choices.
1,601 studies on the registry are indexed under Bipolar Disorder; 254 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 120 is above the median of 64 across 1,223 interventional studies indexed under Bipolar Disorder.
Browse Bipolar Disorder studies →Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is the lead sponsor of 327 studies on the registry; 51 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
The participant must meet all of the inclusion criteria to eligible for this clinical trial:
Exclusion Criteria
An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this clinical trial:
120 youth aged 14 to 26 with bipolar disorder (type I, type II, not otherwise specified/NOS via KSADS-PL or SCID-5-RV) OR at high-risk for bipolar disorder (parent or sibling with bipolar disorder type I or II via KSADS-PL or SCID-5-RV) will be enrolled in the dialectical behavioral therapy booster session intervention.
Behavioral: Dialectical behavioral therapy
DBT will be conducted over 1 year. Participants and their treatment providers will decide on the frequency of sessions collaboratively. This may include individual and/or skills sessions in addition to phone coaching for those who attend individual sessions at least once per month. DBT consultation will also remain a component of the treatment. Participants may choose skills training, conducted in approximately 60 minute meetings, and individual therapy conducted in approximately 60 minute sessions. Family participation in skills training is highly encouraged. Skills training may include: psychoeducation, mindfulness skills, emotion regulation skills, distress tolerance skills, interpersonal skills, and walking the middle path skills. Individual therapy sessions aim to aid the youth in applying skills in their daily lives. We adopt the standard DBT hierarchy of treatment targets.
Also known as: DBT
Total number of DBT sessions used during the study interval measured using the Therapy Tracking Form
The Therapy Tracking Form will be used to document the date of the therapy session, type of session, session duration, content, and scheduled date for next therapy visit. This form will be completed by the study therapist after each therapy session.
Time frame: At the end of study completion (five years)
Number of unscheduled/expedited DBT sessions that are required measured using the Therapy
The Therapy Tracking Form will be used to document if the session was a scheduled session or an unscheduled/expedited session. This form will be completed by the study therapist after each therapy session.
Time frame: At the end of study completion (five years)
Frequencies of different factors/circumstances leading to the need for unscheduled/expedited DBT sessions measured using the Therapy
The Therapy Tracking Form will be used to document the reason for the unscheduled/expedited DBT session. This form will be completed by the study therapist after each therapy session.
Time frame: At the end of study completion (five years)
Adherence score for DBT booster sessions measured using a modified version of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Adherence Checklist - Individual Therapy
Video recordings will be rated for adherence using a modified version of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Adherence Checklist - Individual Therapy (DBT AC-I) \[54\]. The 12 DBT strategy domains will be rated as yes/no: 1) structural strategies; 2) problem assessment strategies; 3) problem solving strategies; 4) contingency management strategies; 5) exposure strategies; 6) cognitive modification strategies; 7) validation strategies; 8) reciprocal communication strategies; 9) irreverent communication strategies; 10) dialectical strategies; 11) case management strategies; 12) protocols.
Time frame: At the end of study completion (five years)
Frequencies of specific DBT components (individual sessions, skills session, phone coaching) measured using the Therapy Tracking Form
The Therapy Tracking Form will be used to document the type of therapy session and phone coaching use. This form will be completed by the study therapist after each therapy session.
Time frame: At the end of study completion (five years)
Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.
Time frame: 12 months to 18 months
Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.
Time frame: 18 months to 24 months
Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)
Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.
Time frame: 12 months to 15 months
Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)
Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.
Time frame: 15 months to 18 months
Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)
Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.
Time frame: 18 months to 21 months
Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)
Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.
Time frame: 21 months to 24 months
Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)
The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.
Time frame: 12 months to 18 months
Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)
The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.
Time frame: 18 months to 24 months
Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.
Time frame: 12 months to 18 months
Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.
Time frame: 18 months to 24 months
Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".
Time frame: 12 months to 15 months
Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".
Time frame: 15 months to 18 months
Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".
Time frame: 18 months to 21 months
Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)
Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".
Time frame: 21 months to 24 months
Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)
During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.
Time frame: 15 months
Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)
During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.
Time frame: 18 months
Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)
During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.
Time frame: 21 months
Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)
During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.
Time frame: 24 months
Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)
Youth participants will complete the DBT-WCCL, a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".
Time frame: 12 months to 15 months
Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)
Youth participants will complete the DBT-WCCL, a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".
Time frame: 15 months to 18 months
Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)
Youth participants will complete the DBT-WCCL, a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".
Time frame: 18 months to 21 months
Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)
Youth participants will complete the DBT-WCCL, a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".
Time frame: 21 months to 24 months
Change in temperament using the Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ)
The Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) is a youth and parent 20-item self-report instrument that taps into conflict and negative communication between parents and their children. Items are rated as "true" or "false". Higher scores indicate greater levels of conflict and negative communication.
Time frame: 12 months to 15 months
Change in temperament using the Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ)
The Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) is a youth and parent 20-item self-report instrument that taps into conflict and negative communication between parents and their children. Items are rated as "true" or "false". Higher scores indicate greater levels of conflict and negative communication.
Time frame: 15 months to 18 months
Change in temperament using the Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ)
The Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) is a youth and parent 20-item self-report instrument that taps into conflict and negative communication between parents and their children. Items are rated as "true" or "false". Higher scores indicate greater levels of conflict and negative communication.
Time frame: 18 months to 21 months
Change in temperament using the Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ)
The Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) is a youth and parent 20-item self-report instrument that taps into conflict and negative communication between parents and their children. Items are rated as "true" or "false". Higher scores indicate greater levels of conflict and negative communication.
Time frame: 21 months to 24 months
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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