About Us

Our Story​

The Asia Pacific DBT Institute is a specialist service founded to provide leadership in the delivery of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and DBT-informed approaches throughout the Asia Pacific Region.

We are committed to enhancing the quality of training and development available within the mental health sector. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of both online and in-person programs, including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT), Trauma-Informed Approaches, and other evidence-informed modalities. These programs are facilitated by experienced clinical and academic leaders from both local and international contexts. We also provide a range of clinical services for individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns. By equipping mental health practitioners with effective, evidence-based therapeutic approaches, we help ensure that individuals receive the support they need to live healthier, more meaningful lives.

Originally established in 2004 as the Australian DBT Institute, the Asia Pacific DBT Institute is led by our Executive Director Dr. Peter King. Dr. King and his team have received extensive mentoring and professional development from Marsha Linehan’s group Behavioral Tech LLC (2003-2008), Babette Rothschild (2014-2017) and Radically Open Ltd (2022-2024). In addition to mentoring, Dr. King has co-facilitated training with Babette Rothschild in Australia, UK, Singapore and New Zealand in Somatic Trauma Therapy. Annually, the Asia Pacific DBT Institute provides continuing professional development with programs delivered in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Singapore, Thailand, and South Africa with a specialisation in DBT, RO-DBT, SBT and Safe Trauma Therapy approaches since 2004.

Our Achievements

Our approach has been developed over the last 20+ years through strategic partnerships and mentoring with the world’s leading treatment developers which has helped us achieve many wins along the way, including the following listed below!

Over 17,000 mental health professionals have attended our CPD programs

We currently run a minimum of 6 DBT or RO DBT Skills Classes each week through our Online DBT Clinic program

We have published our unique online DBT approach and had many of our workshop participants publish their successful implementation of a DBT-informed approach

Provided training to RCT practitioners who have identified DBT to be more effective than treatment as usual. “80.6% attendance rate in a RCT”, “DBT participants reported significantly greater quality of life than participants allocated to treatment as usual”, “reported significantly reduced suicidality risk from baseline compared to participants allocated to treatment as usual”

Successfully hosted international teaching tours with Behavioral Tech LLC (2003-2008), Babette Rothschild (2014-2018) and Dr. Sophie Rushbrook from Radically Open Ltd (2023 to current)

Contracted to deliver training and development to services in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Singapore, Thailand and South Africa.

Developed DBT Assist, a portal for mental health practitioners to teach DBT and RO DBT skills

Development of DBT Informed approaches DBT-TI, C-DBT and ACDC Skills programs

Led the development of the initial Life Skills programs of the St. Kilda Football Club (AFL) and Melbourne Storm (NRL) as well as the Life Skills component for anti-bullying and anti-racism program “Point and be Proud”

Development of the first allied health professionals in GPs practices model for “Better Outcomes” which has been replicated nationally

Our credentialed DBT practitioners have developed and facilitated well over 200 DBT programs in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Thailand.