Become a Credentialed
DBT Practitioner

Our credentialing approach was established to independently oversee the credentialing of mental health professionals in DBT who reside in Australia, South Africa and South East Asia. The DBT Institute has been developing DBT Practitioners in Australia and Internationally since 2004! 

of DBT Credentialing

Various Levels

CPD Opportunities

Organisational Experience

Asia Pacific DBT Institute and the Australian DBT Institute have developed over 17,000 mental health professionals and developed hundreds of DBT programs since 2004 in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, South Africa, UK and Singapore.

International Credentialing

Our credentialing service is overseen by an international committee of mental health practitioners, who run DBT programs and are intensively trained and previously mentored in DBT by Behavioral Tech LLC. 

Credentialing Criteria

Our credentialing criteria is based on consumer and carer feedback, Australian professional standards, the evidence base and experiences of senior mental health practitioners delivering DBT programs.

Do we Certify Practitioners?

Our credentialing model is developed against Australian Practice Standards that credentials proficiency and understanding of DBT. 
DBT®-Linehan Board of Certification in the USA is the only service offering DBT certification.
What we offer

Three Pathways to being Credentialed as a DBT Practitioner!

The Asia Pacific DBT Institute outlines Three Pathways to Credentialing designed to support mental health professionals at various stages of their development in evidence-based therapies. These pathways offer structured routes toward recognition and endorsement in therapeutic competencies, while accommodating different learning styles, levels of experience, and professional goals.
  • Various Levels
  • DBT Informed
  • Professional Recognition
  • Ongoing Professional Development
  • Access to Resources
  • Collegial Environment
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Pathway 1: New to DBT

Pathway 1 is for clinicians who have have not completed a comprehensive DBT training program. The Institute's 12 month DBT Comprehensive training program provides clinicians with the training and development to meet the credentialing criteria listed below.

Pathway 2: DBT Graduate

 Pathway 2 is for clinicians who have completed a 4 day training in DBT online or in person or part of an intensively trained DBT team. Our online credentialing program supports clinicians implement a DBT or DBT informed approach over a minimum of one cycle to highlight their knowledge of DBT.

Pathway 3: DBT Experience

Pathway 3 is for clinicians who have over five year's clinical experience in the delivery of DBT and DBT informed approaches. Credentialing on option 3 requires clinicians to complete self paced tasks to articulate their knowledge and application of a DBT informed Approach.

Credentialed DBT Practitioner Criteria

Credentialing has been developed against Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines and Professional Registration Bodies throughout the Asia Pacific Region.
Credentialing is the process of establishing the qualifications of licensed professionals, organisational members or organisations, and assessing their background and legitimacy. Many health care institutions and provider networks conduct their own credentialing, generally through a credentialing specialist or electronic service, with review by a credentialing committee. Listed below is our 6 Criterion for Credentialed DBT Practitioners!

The Asia Pacific DBT Institute and our partner organisations do not claim to have any affiliation with Behavioral Tech LLC. nor DBT®-Linehan Board of Certification.

1 - Professional Membership

Credentialed DBT practitioners must be registered members of an incorporated professional association relevant to a helping profession.

This includes, but is not limited to:
– Social Work (e.g., AASW)
– Psychology (e.g., APS, AHPRA-registered psychologists)
– Mental Health Nursing (e.g., ACMHN)
– Psychotherapy (e.g., PACFA)
– Counselling (e.g., ACA)

Membership must be current and in good standing, reflecting adherence to professional codes of conduct, ongoing professional development, and ethical standards required by the respective profession.

2 - DBT Education

Credentialed DBT practitioners must have completed a recognised post-registration specialist training program in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Accepted programs include, but are not limited to:
– The Australian DBT Institute’s Comprehensive Training in DBT
– Behavioral Tech’s Intensive Training in DBT
– Other equivalent programs that meet international standards for comprehensive DBT training

Training must include in-depth coverage of DBT theory and skills, clinical application, and supervised practice, and be completed following professional registration in a recognised helping profession.

3 - Clinical Experience

Credentialed DBT practitioners must have completed a minimum of 200 hours of direct, face-to-face psychotherapy or counselling with clients, supported by at least 50 hours of clinical supervision specifically related to this client contact.

The supervision must be structured, formal, and delivered by a qualified supervisor familiar with DBT or related therapeutic modalities. This ensures that the practitioner has had sufficient opportunity to develop and refine their clinical skills within a supported and accountable framework.

4 - Commitment to CPD

Credentialed DBT practitioners must meet the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements of their relevant professional registration or membership body.

This includes maintaining the minimum number of CPD hours or points required annually to ensure ongoing competence, ethical practice, and up-to-date knowledge in their field. CPD activities may include formal training, supervision, peer consultation, research, and other recognised professional learning relevant to DBT and mental health practice.

5 - DBT Knowledge

Credentialed DBT practitioners must submit a Personal Statement of Practice that outlines their professional orientation and therapeutic approach.

This statement should include:
– Theoretical perspectives informing their practice
– Relevant clinical experience and areas of expertise
– Self-awareness and personal insights relevant to therapeutic work
– Understanding and application of DBT principles
– Motivation for specialising in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Additionally, practitioners are expected to demonstrate competency in at least two other evidence-based therapeutic modalities that complement their DBT practice (e.g., CBT, ACT, mindfulness-based therapies, trauma-informed approaches).

6 - Professional Referees

Credentialed DBT practitioners must have their clinical practice supported by two professional referees who can attest to their competence, ethical conduct, and suitability for DBT practice.

Practitioners are expected to uphold high standards of professional conduct, including maintaining a safe and ethical therapeutic environment. They must have no history of disciplinary action or sanctions associated with their professional registration or membership.

For those who have completed recognised intensive DBT training programs, such as those delivered by the Australian DBT Institute or Behavioral Tech, facilitators of the training may provide confirmation of DBT practice in place of one referee.

Benefits of becoming Credentialed in DBT!

  • The recognition of practitioners DBT credentialed status through the International Credentialing Committee
  • Access to monthly DBT Practice & Research Updates through the Asia Pacific DBT Institute
  • Offering the opportunity to be involved in Asia Pacific DBT Institute's Research Activities
  • Opportunities to deliver DBT approaches as a provider for DBT Clinics (Online and in person)
  • Access to a minimum of 10 hours of free DBT specific CPD each year
  • Providing preferential access to the Online International Conference of DBT Informed Practice each February!

New to DBT

CREDENTIALING PATHWAY 1
$199/mo
Pay Upfront - Save $488
This pathway suits individuals who are yet to complete formal DBT training.
  • 12 month DBT training program
  • 10 x group zoom sessions 
  • 2 x supervision sessions
  • Access to DBT resources & adaptions

DBT Graduate

CREDENTIALING PATHWAY 2
$99/mo
Pay Upfront - Save $189
This pathway suits individuals who have completed formal DBT training.
  • Credentialing application fees
  • 12 month DBT training program
  • Access to DBT resources & adaptions
  • Access to reduced priced DBT Specific Supervision

Experienced

CREDENTIALING PATHWAY 3
$49/mo
Pay Upfront - Save $89
This pathway suits individuals with five plus year's DBT experience.
  • Credentialing application fees
  • Become a DBT Clinics provider
  • Access to DBT resources & adaptions
  • Access to reduced priced DBT Specific Supervision
Contact CONTACT OUR TEAM!

Our credentialing team meets six times a year with credentialing confirmations performed on the first Friday of every second month.

Submission are required 14 days before our credentialing confirmation sessions
Practitioners are advised of the credentialing outcomes via email 7 days following credentialing confirmation has been completed 
2025 SUBMISSION DEADLINES
17th January, 14th March, 16th May, 18th July, 19th September and 14th November 2025
2026 SUBMISSION DEADLINES
23rd January, 20th March, 22nd May, 24th July, 25th September and 20th November 2025

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

I am not fully qualified yet, can I become a Credentialed DBT Practitioner?

DBT Practitioners are required to meet the six criterion to be Credentialed DBT Practitioners which includes registration as a mental health professional. Individuals who do not meet criterion 1 & 3 above may meet requirements to be recognised as a DBT Skills Trainer!

Do I get a certificate when credentialing?

Yes! You will get a certificate that acknowledges that you meet all criterion for credentialing as soon as your application has been reviewed by our international credentialing committee which meets every second month. Our deadlines for submission of your credentialing evidence are listed above.

What if I have more questions that are not answered here? 

Please, send your questions to credentialing@apdbti.org or complete the form above and we will respond as soon as possible.
"Credentialing is essential in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy ensuring practitioners have an understanding of DBT with fidelity to the model, uphold professional and ethical standards, and maintain client safety. It provides assurance that clinicians have undergone rigorous training, supervision, and assessment, and possess the necessary skills, experience, and ongoing professional development to competently apply DBT or a DBT Informed approach in clinical practice. Credentialing essentially supports both practitioner's accountability and client confidence in the quality and integrity of care provided."
DR. PETER KING, ASIA PACIFIC DBT INSTITUTE
ASIA PACIFIC DBT INSTITUTE

ABOUT US

The Asia Pacific DBT Institute oversees credentialing of practitioners in the Asia Pacific region. We are the leading provider of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) training, clinical services, and professional development across the Asia-Pacific region since 2004.

The Institute is committed to advancing evidence-based practice, the Institute offers high-quality programs in DBT, Radically Open DBT (RO DBT), and trauma-informed care for mental health professionals, organisations, and communities. With a team of experienced clinicians and trainers, the Institute supports the development of DBT-informed systems through comprehensive training pathways, clinical consultation, credentialing in DBT and international collaborations.

It is the mission of the Asia Pacific DBT Institute to build capacity in delivering effective, compassionate, and culturally responsive mental health care throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
  • CPD Opportunities, Clinical Services, Supervision, Service Development and Credentialing
  • Located in Australia, Singapore & Thailand
  • Online DBT and RO DBT Programs throughout the Asia Pacific Region

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