Dialectical Behavior Therapy Clinic at Rutgers University in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University

Top Row Standing L-R: Eitan Schur, Alex King, Michael Marks, Melissa Kearney, Kate Bailey, Liza Pincus, Maria Alba, Jessica Weatherford, Christine Cho, Skye Fitzpatrick, Chris Hughes. Sitting L-R: Denise Guarino, Molly St. Denis, Shireen Rizvi, April Yeager, An Nyugen

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Shireen L. Rizvi is Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University where she also holds affiliate appointments in the psychology department and the Department of Psychiatry. She completed her internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the VA Boston/National Center for PTSD. Her research interests include improving outcomes, training, and dissemination of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for the treatment of complex and severe populations.

Dr. Rizvi has received funding from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) for her research. Her work has resulted in over 60 peer-reviewed articles and chapters. Dr. Rizvi is board-certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is President of the Board of ISITDBT and was its conference program chair for two years. She has trained hundreds of practitioners in DBT from around the world. Dr. Rizvi received the Spotlight on a Mentor Award from the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies in 2017.

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Clinic at Rutgers University (DBT-RU) is a research and training clinic that provides comprehensive DBT services to individuals in the community. We have been in operation since 2010. We conduct research on DBT outcomes and processes as well as use experimental paradigms to study relevant processes in the lab.

How do you stay current with developments in the field, both research and practice?

We have a weekly journal club in which students rotate taking the lead and choosing an article to present. This allows us to read recent articles that align with the research interests of the group. In addition, I rely heavily on journal alerts that let me know when a new issue is available (with titles and abstracts) as well as google scholar alerts on topics of relevance.

What conferences do you regularly attend and why?

ABCT is the only conference that I attend every year without fail. Finding the time during the semester system to regularly attend other conferences is difficult. That said, when possible, I have attended the European Society for the Study of Personality Disorders (ESSPD) biannual conference on borderline personality disorder; International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

How long have you been a member of ABCT?

Nearly 20 Years!

How has ABCT helped you professionally?

Since I joined, ABCT has been my “professional home.” It has opened a number of opportunities for me. I learn a lot from the other members and look forward to seeing everyone every year. I have served on a number of committees and was recently elected by the membership to serve as Rep-at-Large. I’ve gained a lot from ABCT and hope to give back as much as possible.

How do you see the future of ABCT for both you and your students?

As the field changes and grows, so will ABCT. As long as ABCT stays true to its mission, there will always be a place there for me and my students.

Are your students members of ABCT? If so, what has been most useful for them?

I encourage all of my students (as well as students in the entire program) to join ABCT in their first year. Once they attend their first meeting, they are “hooked.”

For prospective students: (Who should consider applying to your lab, and how can they find out more?)

I mentor students in both of Rutgers’ clinical doctoral programs. Typically, I have one or two students from the PsyD program begin working with me in their first year. Every three years or so, I also accept a student from the PhD program. Interested PhD candidates should check the website to see if I plan to take students for the upcoming year. Candidates who are interested in a career in DBT and BPD research and like complex and challenging problems are a good fit for the lab.

We asked questions of DBT-RU’s students:

   1) What is your area of research interest?

   2) How has ABCT been helpful to you?

   3) If a student were thinking about joining ABCT, what activities would you recommend they get involved in?

Katherine Bailey

My research interests include BPD, DBT, non-suicidal self-injury, emotion regulation, suicidal behaviors, trauma, and international mental health.

ABCT has helped me gain exposure to a broad range of research findings related to the scientific understanding and treatment of psychological difficulties. In addition, I have had the opportunity to showcase original research, learn more about evidence-based clinical practice, and further develop my own clinical skills.

I recommend that students attend the annual conference, participate in a special interest group, and submit an abstract to share knowledge with peers and senior researchers.

An Nguyen

My research interests include Borderline Personality Disorder, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, suicidal and self-injurious behaviors, emotion dysregulation, validation, family involvement, and caregiver burden.

ABCT has exposed me to research outside my personal interests, expanded my range of clinical interventions, and allowed me to speak with important researchers in the field.

Definitely attend the annual conference and submit a poster!

Alexandra King

My research interests include BPD, emotion dysregulation more broadly, DBT, family interventions, behavioral healthcare, and treatment dissemination.

ABCT has shown me the kinds of related research others are conducting, which has introduced me to different treatments, study settings, and methodologies. This exchange of ideas has been helpful for meeting and working with other researchers, and also inspiring future directions of my own research.

I would suggest joining the list serve, which will connect you to article alerts, clinical and research discussions, and job postings. I would also recommend attending the conference to hear first-hand what projects other researchers are working on.

Molly St. Denis

I am primarily interested in the effectiveness of third wave, mindfulness-based treatments for individuals with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and/or intense emotion dysregulation.

ABCT has been wonderful in helping me expand my knowledge of current research and evidence-based treatment approaches. I always feel reinvigorated to pursue my clinical and research interests after attending the annual conference. I can also see that it will be an essential platform for networking and professional development throughout my career.

I would highly recommend signing up for the list serve, submitting your work as a poster, and attending the annual convention (duh!). I would also recommend taking advantage of the many ABCT offerings, including networking opportunities in your area.

Chris Hughes

My research interests include BPD, DBT, suicidal and self-injurious behaviors, emotion regulation, rumination/repetitive negative thinking, experiential avoidance, affective forecasting biases, treatment and assessment development, modification, and evaluation, and the incorporation of mobile technology into treatment and research.

ABCT has given me opportunities to learn about research outside my area, present my work to other psychologists/researchers, and meet, connect, and interact with other researchers with similar interests to mine.

I would recommend attending the annual conference, submitting your work as a poster or symposium, and attending special interest groups, symposia/talks, and poster sessions relevant to your research.

Skye Fitzpatrick, PhD

I have two primary areas of interest: First, I am interested in translational science and basic emotion science-informed experimental methods to understand the nature of, and refine relevant treatments for, borderline personality disorder (BPD). Second, I am interested in identifying ways to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy and the comorbid treatment of BPD and posttraumatic stress disorder.

ABCT has been my “home organization” since my first year of graduate school. My annual involvement in ABCT meetings, symposia, and meet and greets has helped me to connect to a network of innovative BPD researchers who are now among my most central mentors, collaborators, and colleagues.

I would recommend that students get involved in special interest groups that are relevant to their areas of research. I think that these kinds of groups are what help emerging researchers to integrate into their academic fields.