Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is growing quickly in China. Today, more than a dozen hospitals use DBT in daily care. Youth & Family Institute Founder and Clinical Director Marcus Rodriguez, PhD, lived in China for over nine years. After a five-year break, he finally returned this month.
Teaching and reconnecting
Chun Wang and the Nanjing Brain Hospital invited Dr. Rodriguez to teach a Parent Coaching in DBT workshop at the 1st Chinese International DBT Conference in Nanjing. The event brought together clinicians, trainers, and researchers from across the country. It felt both exciting and deeply meaningful.
-
Workshop details: Parent Coaching in DBT
-
Conference overview: Inaugural Chinese International DBT Conference
Growth across China
Since 2017, Dr. Rodriguez has helped train teams in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Changchun. This month, several of those teams received recognition from the Asia-Pacific Association for DBT as centers for treatment, training, and research. The progress is real and inspiring.
What happened at the conference
Dr. Rodriguez:
-
taught DBT-informed parent coaching,
-
co-led a group supervision demo with colleague Leslie Anderson, and
-
joined a panel on putting DBT into practice.
In addition, Chun Wang shared findings from a 13-site randomized controlled trial on DBT skills groups in inpatient settings. The study points to promising benefits. Just as important, it builds local research capacity.
Why this matters
DBT helps people manage intense emotions and reduce self-harm risk. When hospitals adopt DBT, patients and families gain new skills and hope. Moreover, local trainers can teach more teams, which speeds access to care.
What’s next
Leaders across China plan to:
-
set up skills groups, phone coaching, and consultation teams,
-
track outcomes and quality, and
-
grow local training programs to reach more clinics.
The work takes time. Yet, step by step, the network is expanding.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” —African proverb
YFI partners with hospitals and universities to design cross-cultural trainings in DBT and CBT. If your organization is exploring professional training or consultation, we’re glad to help you plan a path that fits your goals.
If your teen or family is navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, self-harm, suicide risk, or ADHD, YFI offers evidence-based DBT and CBT for adolescents and families. We support communities across Brentwood, Sawtelle, and Venice, and throughout Greater Los Angeles. Contact us to get started.
