background More and more evidence-based treatments for severe personality disorders are becoming available. Nevertheless, there are problems with the implementation of these treatments and it is proving difficult to keep the treatment programmes running. However, teams which offer dialectical behavior therapy (dbt) seem to survive.
aim To find out which factors enable dbt teams to survive.
method Twenty-five Dutch dbt teams received a questionnaire about factors that could be influencing the continuation of the dbt treatment programmes. The questionnaire consisted of 9 open questions, 2 multiple-choice questions and 26 closed questions.
results The results show that the continued existence of the treatment programmes is due largely to the commitment of both the team and its managers. They all feel embedded in the organisation as a whole, feel connected with one another and are supportive of the method.
conclusion A well-functioning consultation team seems to be of crucial importance for the continued existence of the dbt programme. We believe that independent external supervision is essential to keep the dbt teams alert and aware of current trends and developments.