Adapting DBT: Evidence-based practice in a psychosocial cancer support setting

Psychosocial support is often unavailable or under-funded and formal mental health services can be prohibitive given cost/time constraints. Time-limited psychosocial interventions to help manage the burden associated with a cancer diagnosis can be effective treatment modalities. This study tests the feasibility of using the skills training of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in a psychosocial cancer treatment setting. DBT is an evidence-based treatment teaching mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills. Given that informal caregivers play an essential role in the delivery of healthcare services (often experiencing psychological, behavioral and physiological effects) in addition to the increasing number of people living with a breast cancer diagnosis, the need for psychosocial services is increasing. Research indicates that emotional support can positively impact quality of life and may also positively influence health outcomes. Two separate six-session interventions were conducted over a four-month time period at Gilda's Club Westchester. Participants were given a self-report instrument to measure the effectiveness of the skills training in relation to their cancer experience. Phase one of this study adapted DBT for informal caregivers to individuals with cancer. The second phase adapted DBT for those with a breast cancer diagnosis. There is limited research adapting DBT in a cancer support setting; results assess the feasibility and compare differences between the two cohorts.