Marsha Linehan, PhD is the developer of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. DBT is internationally recognized as the most effective treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder and chronic self-harming and suicidal behaviors. DBT has revolutionized the treatment of BPD, providing a structured, evidence-based approach that has been proven to reduced self-harming behaviors and hospitalizations. 

Dr. Linehan’s work has been credited with transforming and saving the lives of countless thousands of people living with BPD. In their special publication “100 New Scientific Discoveries”, TIME magazine listed Dialectical Behavior Therapy as one of “the breakthroughs that will change your world."

Dr. Linehan has been actively involved in the supervision and training of mental health professionals world wide; has published numerous research studies; has received countless awards; and authored numerous books and manuals on DBT, including the updated DBT Skills Training Manual, 2nd Edition. Her memoir Building a Life Worth Living was published in 2020.

During a presentation at the Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut Dr. Linehan revealed that when she was a teenager she had been institutionalized there for over two years for self-harming and suicidal behaviors, likely as a result of BPD. She told the audiance that “I made a vow to God that I would get myself out of hell and that, once I did, I would go back into hell and get others out.” And that is exactly what she did. After her release from the institute she earned a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree and a Doctoral degree in Psychology and went on to develop, clinically test and demonstrate the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy.