A specialist ward for women with borderline personality disorder (BPD) has become the first inpatient facility in the UK to receive national accreditation for its Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programme.
Silverstone Ward, based at St Andrew’s Healthcare on Billing Road in Northampton, has been awarded the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Clinical Programme Accreditation by the Society for DBT (SfDBT) UK and Ireland.
Growing recognition of DBT
DBT is a cognitive-behavioural therapy that helps people regulate emotions, tolerate distress, strengthen relationships and develop mindfulness skills. Originally designed for individuals experiencing intense emotions and self-destructive behaviours, DBT is now applied across a wide range of mental health conditions due to its strong evidence base.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended DBT for BPD since 2009, noting its impact on reducing self-harm, suicide attempts and hospital admissions. Randomised controlled trials show significant benefits, with one study reporting that 77% of participants no longer met diagnostic criteria for BPD after a year of treatment. In the UK, where BPD affects approximately 1%–2% of adults, demand for effective, evidence-based interventions continues to grow.
Long-term commitment to DBT
St Andrew’s Healthcare, founded in 1838, has offered inpatient DBT since 1998, providing more than 25 years of specialist care. Its Northampton site, spread across 106 acres, integrates DBT into a wider multidisciplinary model that includes occupational therapy, vocational training and physical healthcare.
Patient experience
Sally, a patient at Silverstone Ward, said: “I have been in and out of inpatient hospitals since I was a teenager and it was only when I was introduced to DBT, that something shifted. “Prior to coming to St Andrew’s, I was struggling with self-harm. I was a danger to myself, but DBT has helped me learn skills that I need to get me through each day, so I can manage my feelings in an appropriate way.”
Now aged 23, she hopes to be discharged early next year, travel to Spain to visit her grandmother and eventually start her own business. She added: “I know it sounds dramatic, but DBT saved my life. That is the truth. Without doubt, DBT and the staff at St Andrew’s have given me hope for my future. A future, I didn’t think I had.”
Significance of the accreditation
The accreditation confirms that Silverstone Ward delivers DBT with fidelity to evidence-based standards. It also demonstrates to commissioners, referrers, service users and partner organisations that the programme has the structure and consistency required for high-quality care.
Dr Victoria Taylor, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and DBT Therapist, said: “This accreditation marks a major milestone for our team and recognises that our DBT programme has the structures, processes, and practices needed to deliver a truly comprehensive service to our patients.
“We already knew that our programme upholds the highest standards of evidence-based practice, but to have external recognition is something to be proud of. This achievement reflects the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of every member of our DBT service, whom I would personally like to thank. Their hard work and willingness to support our patients has consistently demonstrated compassion and clinical excellence.”
Role of the SfDBT
The SfDBT UK and Ireland promotes evidence-based DBT through accreditation for therapists, supervisors and clinical programmes. Its criteria align with international standards developed with organisations such as the Linehan Board of Certification.
Amy Gaglia Essletzbichler, Chair of the SfDBT UK and Ireland, said: “Congratulations to Silverstone Ward on their DBT team’s success in the application for programme with the SfDBT UK and Ireland.
“There has been an inpatient DBT service at St Andrew’s since 1998 and it is testament to the commitment of the charity and to the staff on the ward that they have been caring for patients that require an inpatient DBT programme for over 25 years.
“Achieving this Programme Accreditation with the SfDBT, signifies that DBT is being offered with adherence and fidelity to the evidence-based model.”
About Silverstone Ward
Silverstone Ward is a comprehensive DBT inpatient service for women over 18 with severe emotion dysregulation. Many have a diagnosis of BPD and may also present with conditions such as Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, with prevalence in BPD populations reaching up to 30%.
Patients often have complex needs, high-risk behaviours and significant functional impairment. The 12-bed ward, located in Isham House, focuses on rehabilitation through skill-building and trauma-informed care. Average stays are around 18 months. All staff receive specialist training in behavioural principles and motivational interviewing to support a therapeutic environment.
Core components of the DBT programme
Silverstone Ward’s DBT model includes
- Individual therapy sessions focused on personal goals and applying DBT skills
- Group skills training covering mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness
- Phone coaching for real-time support during crises
- A therapist consultation team to ensure ongoing adherence to the DBT model
Looking ahead
The accreditation validates Silverstone Ward’s longstanding commitment to DBT and sets a national benchmark for inpatient services seeking to implement the therapy. At a time when BPD is associated with higher service use and unemployment, the programme demonstrates how evidence-based, structured treatment can advance recovery and improve long-term outcomes.
By prioritising fidelity and clinical excellence, Silverstone Ward is helping expand access to effective inpatient DBT and shaping future care for women experiencing severe emotion dysregulation.