NCT05153369

Brief Summary

This study seeks to bridge the knowledge-to-action gap regarding psychosocial treatment "dosing" for youth with and/or at familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD). In psychiatry, pragmatic collaborative decisions between patient and care provider about pharmacological titrations and tapers are common. Less frequently are there considerations made regarding the pragmatic dosing of psychosocial interventions. Whereas some youth clearly require full/"high-dose" treatment, others may benefit from "lower-dose" interventions, alongside re-evaluation of dosing needs over time. Furthermore, there is a subset of youth who do not require or do not want the intensity and frequency of treatment that current interventions provide. This research presents a unique opportunity to better understand different levels of care within a subspecialized outpatient mental health clinic serving youth with and/or at familial risk for BD who vary greatly in terms of risk indicators, type and severity of symptoms, associated distress, and compounding functional impairment.

Trial Health

57
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2021

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2021

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 5, 2021

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

December 10, 2021

Completed
4.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 1, 2026

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 1, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

November 19, 2025

Status Verified

November 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

4.3 years

First QC Date

November 5, 2021

Last Update Submit

November 17, 2025

Conditions

Bipolar Disorder

Keywords

YouthDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Psychotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (62)

  • Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder

    Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.

    Baseline to 6 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder

    Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.

    6 months to 12 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder

    Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.

    12 months to 18 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SIDP-IV): Borderline Personality Disorder

    Borderline and antisocial personality symptoms will be assessed using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality. The SID-P uses a semi structured interview format to assess for symptoms of personality disorders. Scores one each item range from 0 to 3 and high scores indicate symptoms of borderline personality disorder and levels of impairment.

    18 months to 24 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    Baseline to 3 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    3 months to 6 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    6 months to 9 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    9 months to 12 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    12 months to 15 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    15 months to 18 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    18 months to 21 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ)

    Self-reported and parent reported depressive and manic symptoms will be measured via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Responses are made on a 3-point scale ("0=not true", "1=sometimes true" and "2=true").

    21 months to 24 months

  • Change in suicidality Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    Baseline to 3 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    3 months to 6 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    6 months to 9 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    9 months to 12 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    12 months to 15 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    15 months to 18 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    18 months to 21 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ)

    Youth participants will complete the self-report Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ), which is intended to identify participants whose level of suicidal ideation is severe enough to warrant further intervention. Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale (0= "I never had this thought" to 6="almost every day") and is used to indicate the frequency with which the participant experiences each thought.

    21 months to 24 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)

    The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.

    Baseline to 6 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)

    The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.

    6 months to 12 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)

    The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.

    12 months to 18 months

  • Change in symptoms using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (ALIFE)

    The Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (LIFE) will provide a comprehensive cross-sectional and longitudinal picture of the symptomatic and psychosocial course and outcome of all participants in this study. Scores range from 0-3 on certain disorders and 0-6 for other disorders. High scores indicate high level of symptom impairment.

    18 months to 24 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.

    Baseline to 6 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.

    6 months to 12 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.

    12 months to 18 months

  • Change in suicidality using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

    Suicidal events (past and over follow-up) will be assessed with the Pediatric Version of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). The C-SSRS has sound psychometric properties, yields ratings of widely accepted definitions of youth suicidal events, and was used in other pediatric treatment trials yielding standardized outcomes to compare across studies. This is a semi-structured interview that includes yes/no questions as well as narrative. It captures number of suicidal events as well as type and severity.

    18 months to 24 months

  • Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    Baseline to 3 months

  • Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    3 months to 6 months

  • Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    6 months to 9 months

  • Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    9 months to 12 months

  • Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    12 months to 15 months

  • Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    15 months to 18 months

  • Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    18 months to 21 months

  • Change in emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

    Youth participants will complete the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a 36-item questionnaire assessing emotional dysregulation. Participants indicate how often each item applies to them on a scale from 1="almost never; 0-10 percent" to 5= "almost always; 91-100 percent".

    21 months to 24 months

  • Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    3 months

  • Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    6 months

  • Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    9 months

  • Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    12 months

  • Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    15 months

  • Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    18 months

  • Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    21 months

  • Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (18-item)

    During follow-up visits, participants, parents, and/or siblings who are participating in therapy sessions will complete an 18-item Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire. This assesses clients' satisfaction of the service (responses range from quite dissatisfied to very satisfied) as well as whether or not the service addressed the clients' needs.

    24 months

  • Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    Baseline to 3 months

  • Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    3 months to 6 months

  • Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    6 months to 9 months

  • Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    9 months to 12 months

  • Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    12 months to 15 months

  • Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    15 months to 18 months

  • Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    18 months to 21 months

  • Change in affective lability using the Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS)

    The Children's Affective Lability Scale (CALS) is a reliable 20-item adolescent- and parent-reported measure of mood lability, derived from the adult Affective Lability Scale that was specifically designed for adults with BD. It yields a total score as well as an angry/depressed factor and a disinhibited/impersistent factor. Total scores can vary from 0 to 80, with lower scores indicating a lesser degree of affective lability.

    21 months to 24 months

  • Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT-WCCL, a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    Baseline to 3 months

  • Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    3 months to 6 months

  • Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    6 months to 9 months

  • Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    9 months to 12 months

  • Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    12 months to 15 months

  • Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    15 months to 18 months

  • Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    18 months to 21 months

  • Change in use of DBT skills with the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL)

    Youth participants will complete the DBT Ways of Coping Checklist (DBT-WCCL), a 59-item questionnaire assessing the use of DBT skills and coping strategies. Participants indicate how often they engaged in the thought/behavior from 0= "never used" to 3= "regularly used".

    21 months to 24 months

  • Childhood Trust Events Survey (CTES)

    Youth will complete the CTES long-form, adolescent version, a 30-item self-report screening survey that assesses exposure to adversity across a breadth of domains including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; alcohol/drug users in home; family members in prison; caregiver with mental illness; domestic violence; loss/separation from caregiver; and other traumatic events. In addition, the CTES queries the age and perceived intensity of each type of adversity. Parents will complete the caregiver version of the CTES, a 26-item survey that asks if their child has been exposed to the same domains of adversity as queried in the adolescent version.

    Baseline

  • Number, frequency, and type of therapy sessions

    The Therapy Tracking Form will be used to document the date of the therapy session, type of session, session duration, content, and scheduled date for next therapy visit. This form will be completed by the study therapist after each therapy session.

    At the end of study completion (5 years)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Adherence score for DBT booster sessions measured using a modified version of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Adherence Checklist - Individual Therapy

    At the end of study completion (five years)

Study Arms (3)

Level 1

EXPERIMENTAL

At enrollment, participants will be categorized according to the following criteria related to suicidality, emotion dysregulation, risk behaviors, and participant preference: No lifetime suicidal behaviors on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) AND no active suicidal ideations with method/plan/intent in the past month on the C-SSRS (cannot score 'yes' on items \> 3).

Behavioral: Enhanced Care

Level 2

EXPERIMENTAL

At enrollment, participants will be categorized according to the following criteria related to suicidality, emotion dysregulation, risk behaviors, and participant preference: No non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors in the past 3 months on the C-SSRS AND no suicide attempts (actual, interrupted and/or aborted) in the past year on the C-SSRS AND no preparatory act or behavior in the past year as measured by the C-SSRS OR participant preference.

Behavioral: DBT Skills Training

Level 3

EXPERIMENTAL

At enrollment, participants will be categorized according to the following criteria related to suicidality, emotion dysregulation, risk behaviors, and participant preference: NSSI behaviors in the past 3 months on the C-SSRS OR at least 1 suicide attempt in the past year (actual, interrupted, and/or aborted) on the C-SSRS OR at least 1 preparatory act or behavior in the past year as measured by the C-SSRS OR Meets youth threshold for at least 2 impulsive behavior categories on question #4 from the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders Borderline Personality Disorder (SIDP-IV) or 1 category is identified as severe OR participant preference during the course of treatment.

Behavioral: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Full Intervention

Interventions

Enhanced CareBEHAVIORAL

Enhanced care aims to educate participants about bipolar disorder using a didactic approach, in addition to teaching and practicing DBT skills in an applied and relevant manner based on the participant's needs. Participants will receive a total of four sessions (approx. 60 minutes in duration), to occur once a month, at a minimum. The content will be split up into psychoeducation (2 sessions) and selected DBT skills (2 sessions). Psychoeducation will be specific to youth bipolar disorder, covering topics such as symptoms of depression and hypo/mania, medications used to treat bipolar disorder, the role of biology and the environment in emotions, and vulnerability and protective factors to emotion dysregulation and mood episodes. The content of skills sessions will be individualized and based on participant needs and goals (e.g., learning and applying skills to optimize their overall functioning, address problem behaviors and/or stressors, and/or maintain commitment to treatment).

Level 1
DBT Skills TrainingBEHAVIORAL

In DBT Skills Training, participants will only receive skills training and can choose to do this individually and/or with their individual family unit by including their parent(s) and/or sibling(s). Participants will receive 20-25 sessions (approx. 60 minutes in duration), to occur at least biweekly. Skills training will include the five standard youth DBT modules: psychoeducation about DBT and bipolar disorder, mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and walking the middle path. The primary focus of the skills training is to impart knowledge and acquire and strengthen pragmatic skills to replace dysfunctional behaviors. If participants choose to include their family members, they will be encouraged to coach one another in effective use of skills.

Level 2
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Full InterventionBEHAVIORAL

The DBT full intervention is based on Miller et al.'s DBT for suicidal youth, with modifications for youth with BD. DBT will be conducted over 1 year with approximately 40-50 sessions. Sessions will alternate between individual and skills training sessions. Family involvement in skills training will be strongly encouraged, however will be up to the participant to decide. Participants in Level 3 will complete diary cards tailored for this population, assessing daily mood, suicidality, sleep, and medication adherence. Participants will report use of specified DBT skills on the diary card, and individualized treatment goals will be incorporated into the diary card (e.g., alcohol use). In addition, Level 3 will include skills coaching by phone (via phone and/or text). These brief, structured calls and/or texts function to promote skills generalization by helping the participant and any participating family member(s) use skills to achieve goals and solve problems.

Level 3

Eligibility Criteria

Age13 Years - 23 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • \) English-speaking; 2) Age 13 years, 0 months to 23 years, 11 months; 3) Meet diagnostic criteria for BD by KSADS-PL (\< 20 years of age) or SCID-5-RV (≥ 20 years of age) OR have a biological parent/sibling with BD (type I or II) confirmed via KSADS-PL or SCID-5-RV; 4) If BD-I, taking ≥1 mood stabilizing medication (i.e., antimanic anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, and/or lithium); 5) Followed by a psychiatrist who provides ongoing care; 6) Able and willing to give informed consent/assent to participate.

You may not qualify if:

  • \) Evidence of mental retardation, moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder, or organic central nervous system disorder by the K-SADS-PL (\< 20 years of age), parent report, medical history, or school records that would interfere with active participation in DBT; 2) A life-threatening medical condition requiring immediate treatment; 3) Current victim of sexual or physical abuse; 4) Current substance use disorder other than mild cannabis or alcohol use disorder; 5) Meets assessment criteria for Level 3 at enrollment.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H4, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bipolar Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bipolar and Related DisordersMood DisordersMental Disorders

Study Officials

  • Benjamin I Goldstein, MD, PhD

    Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Amanda Moss, MSW

CONTACT

416-535-8501amanda.moss@camh.ca

Danielle Curcio, MSW

CONTACT

416-535-8501danielle.curcio@camh.ca

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NON RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SEQUENTIAL
Model Details: This study is targeted toward youth with and/or at familial risk for BD who, at intake, do not want and/or require full DBT. Participants will be enrolled into Level 1 - Enhanced Care or Level 2 - DBT Skills Training; for those whose circumstances change during the course of the study, such that they want and/or require full dose DBT, the intervention also includes potential dose escalation up through Level 3 - DBT Full Intervention. As the levels escalate, frequency of therapy sessions and contact with study therapist will increase. Dosing decisions will be driven by a combination of risk indicators and symptom severity, with an emphasis on emotional dysregulation, suicidality, and functional impairment, along with patient preference. Participants who are initially enrolled into Levels 1 or 2 will be able to escalate to Level 3 up until the end of their first year of enrollment. This is to ensure that they will have time to receive one full year of the DBT intervention.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Director of the Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Clinician-Scientist, Professor of Psychiatry, Pharmacology & Toxicology, and Psychological Clinical Science

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 5, 2021

First Posted

December 10, 2021

Study Start

November 1, 2021

Primary Completion

March 1, 2026

Study Completion

March 1, 2026

Last Updated

November 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

CA(1)