DBT Credentialing

The international credentialing committee was established by the Asia Pacific DBT Institute to independently oversee the credentialing of mental health professionals in DBT who reside in Australia, South Africa and South East Asia. Originally through the Australian DBT Institute, we have been developing DBT Practitioners in Australia and Internationally since 2004! 
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Organisational Experience

Asia Pacifc DBT Institute has 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.

Our DBT Credentialing Team

Our credentialing service is overseen by mental health practitioners with international experience, 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 CLINICIANS?

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.
CREDENTIALING IN DBT IS AVAILABLE VIA THE ASIA PACIFIC DBT INSTITUTE

Get in touch at +61 9596 8484 or WhatsApp on +61 422 022 798

Three Pathways to Initial Credentialing as DBT Practitioners

Please carefully review the criteria below before committing to one of the three below pathways for becoming a DBT Practitioner through the credentialing process of the Asia Pacific DBT Institute. All Credentialed DBT Practitioners are to meet the Education, Practice, Professional and Philosophical requirements of Credentialing as a DBT Practitioner. 

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 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. Credentialing has been developed against Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines and Australian Professional Registration Bodies.

Professional Memberships

Credentialed DBT practitioners are members of an incorporated association of a helping profession (eg. Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Psychotherapy, Counselling)

Commitment to CPD

Credentialed DBT Practitioners are required to have acquired minimum continuing professional development points to maintain their professional registration and/or associated professional memberships.

DBT Education

Completion of a recognised specialist post registration course in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Programs such as the Asia Pacific DBT Institute Practitioner Training, Behavioral Tech’s Intensive Training in DBT or equivalent are expected to have been completed.

Clinical Experience

Credentialed DBT Practitioners have at least 200 hours of person-¬to-person psychotherapy/counselling experience and 50 hours of supervision relating to a minimum of 200 hours of client contact. 

DBT Knowledge

Credentialed DBT Practitioners are required to have completed a Personal Statement of Practice outlining the theoretical perspective, experiences, self-awareness, knowledge & understanding and reasons for their interest in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Additionally, practitioners are expected to have proficiency in at least two other therapeutic approaches to complement their applications of DBT!

Professional Referees

Practitioners are to have their clinical practice supported by two professional referees. Practitioners are expected to be providing a safe environment with no disciplinary action on Professional Registration. 

Attendees of Intensive and practitioner training programs will have their facilitators provide this confirmation of DBT practice.

Recognition of practitioners with DBT credentialed status. | Access to DBT Practice & Research Updates. | Opportunities to deliver DBT approaches as a provider for DBT Clinics. | Access a minimum of 10 hours of free DBT specific CPD each year. | Preferential access to the International Conference of DBT Informed Practice.

Becoming credentialed in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) through the Asia Pacific DBT Institute represents a significant step in advancing both clinical expertise and professional standing. Credentialing demonstrates that a practitioner is delivering DBT with fidelity to the model, supported by structured training, supervision, and adherence to evidence-based practice.

Credentialed clinicians benefit from enhanced confidence in working with high-risk and complex presentations, including suicidality, self-harm, and severe emotion dysregulation. The process strengthens core competencies such as behavioural analysis, skills coaching, validation, and dialectical thinking, leading to more effective and consistent clinical outcomes. In addition, credentialing provides formal recognition of advanced DBT training, supporting career progression, credibility with employers and referral networks, and alignment with international standards of best practice.

Beyond individual development, credentialing contributes to improved service delivery by promoting consistency, accountability, and high-quality care within teams and organisations. It also connects practitioners to an ongoing community of DBT clinicians, fostering continued learning, consultation, and professional support.

New to DBT

CREDENTIALING PATHWAY 1
$199/mo
Billed upfront - Save $488
Pathway suits individuals who are yet to complete formal DBT training.
  • 12 mth DBT training program
  • 11 x group zoom sessions 
  • Access to DBT resources & adaptions
  • Access to a range of foundational DBT webinars

DBT Graduate

CREDENTIALING PATHWAY 2
$99/mo
Billed upfront - Save $189
Pathway suits individuals who have completed formal DBT training.
  • 12 mth DBT support program
  • 11 x group zoom sessions 
  • Access to DBT resources & adaptions
  • Access to reduced priced DBT Specific Supervision

DBT Experience

CREDENTIALING PATHWAY 3
$49/mo
Billed upfront - Save $89
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
DBT Institute's Credentialing Service

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 
2026 Submission deadlines
23rd January, 20th March, 22nd May, 24th July, 25th September and 20th November 2026
2027 Submission deadlines
22nd January, 19th March, 21st May, 23rd July, 24th September and 19th November 2026

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