DBT Next Steps Clinician's Manual: Building a Life Worth Living

“This is what DBT therapists have been clamoring for! DBT Next Steps Clinician’s Manual provides invaluable insights and practical tools for therapists to help clients overcome barriers to building full and satisfying lives once the crises have stopped. Whether you treat psychiatrically and financially disadvantaged persons or those who struggle with other barriers to self-sufficiency, this is the manual for you.”–Kathryn E. Korslund, PhD, ABPP, Director of Clinical Care, Two Chairs

“Together, DBT Next Steps Clinician’s Manual and DBT Next Steps Skills Handouts are a labor of love that is designed to help build up lives. The beautifully clear, in-depth manual expertly guides clinicians through key teaching points, and includes abundant case examples that bring the teachings to life. The client handouts and assignments break down complicated concepts in a user-friendly style that fosters everyday application of the Next Steps skills.”–Janice R. Kuo, PhD, Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University

“The focus of DBT Next Steps on getting me out of the mental health system has been a complete success. I pay my own bills, live by myself in my own apartment, and have been for 2 years! I went from not knowing whether I’d see my next birthday to looking forward to every week as an opportunity to connect with people and live a life I’m proud of.”–Francis C.
 
“DBT Next Steps was revolutionary for me. Although being in DBT helped bring me out of crisis, I knew it was DBT Next Steps that would help me gain the traction I needed to build a life worth living. The program taught me so much about finding and respecting my own limits while also pushing me to live a full and effective life. Years out of the program, I continue to visit the skills from it daily. I am so grateful for the growth and stability DBT Next Steps has brought into my life.”–Lou D.
 
“I was lucky enough to do a year of Next Steps after a first year of DBT. It helped me refine my ambitions, accomplish the goals that were most important to me, and feel like I was living a worthwhile life. Because of this program I was able to finish grad school after a lengthy medical leave–there’s no way I would have had the skills to do that without Next Steps. Several years later, I still refer back to the materials. I recommend DBT Next Steps to anyone who is surviving their life but not thriving yet.”–Alice Z.

Adam Carmel, PhD, is Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. He is Codirector of the Annual Comprehensive DBT Training program in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. He was previously Director of the Massachusetts Mental Health Center’s DBT program operated by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Dr. Carmel was previously Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington, where he taught DBT in the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics under the direction of Marsha Linehan.

Marsha M. Linehan, PhD, ABPP, the developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Director Emeritus of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics at the University of Washington. Before retiring in 2019, she devoted her career to developing and evaluating evidence-based treatments for populations with high suicide risk and multiple, severe mental disorders. Dr. Linehan is the 2025 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Her contributions to suicide research and clinical psychology research have also been recognized with the University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Psychology, the Career/Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Application of Psychology from the American Psychological Foundation, and the James McKeen Cattell Award from the Association for Psychological Science. In her honor, the American Association of Suicidology created the Marsha Linehan Award for Outstanding Research in the Treatment of Suicidal Behavior. Dr. Linehan was featured in TIME Great Scientists: The Geniuses and Visionaries Who Transformed Our World. She is founder of the Linehan Institute and is a Zen master.