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Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans

Recruiting

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes

Full eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Veteran aged 18+
* Able to provide consent
* Current or recent history of criminal justice involvement, defined as

  * (a) criminal arrest, order of protection, or incarceration within two years prior to participation and/or
  * (b) supervision by probation or parole at the time of participation

Exclusion Criteria:

* Limited English proficiency
* Inability to tolerate group therapy format
* Enrollment in a concurrent clinical trial
* Current or scheduled enrollment in a DBT- or RNR-based program
* Prior participation in DBT-J program

About the study

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans (DBT-J) is a comprehensive, integrative program distinctively designed to address the range of mental health, substance use, case management, and legal needs of Veterans with current or ongoing criminal justice involvement. Data from two prior clinical trials attest to the program's feasibility and acceptability and preliminarily suggest participation in the program may yield meaningful improvements in risk for criminal behavior and resolution of high-priority case management needs. However, continued research is needed to further investigate the program's efficacy. This Phase III clinical trial aims to investigate the superiority of DBT-J over a supportive group therapy treatment in decreasing risk of future criminal behavior and increasing psychosocial functioning. Secondary and exploratory aims will also investigate superiority of DBT-J in improving secondary treatment targets, potential differential efficacy across special-interest Veteran subgroups, and long-term consequences of program participation.

What is being tested

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans (behavioral)
Supportive Group Psychotherapy for Justice-Involved Veterans (behavioral)

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development · Participants: 200 · Started: Jan 1, 2024

Contact the study team

Emily R Edwards, PhD · Phone: (718) 584-9000
Sharon Alter, MA · Phone: (718) 584-9000

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05974553

Locations in the U.S.

Colorado	Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, Aurora
New York	James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, The Bronx

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.