OUR HISTORY

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Degrees and Certificates:
Holli completed her MBA from the University of Michigan (1996), and also holds a Dual BA in International Relations and Russian Language from U.C. Davis (1988).

Bio:
In addition, Holli is a private pilot, enjoys scuba diving, hiking, all-girls education, mentoring rising women leaders, is a mom to a teenager, embarks on global travel to unbeaten paths, and appreciates the disruptive intersection of new technology with established industries.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTech?

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Bio:
Dr. DuBose’s interest in DBT developed when working with hospitalized youth at high-risk for suicide and self-injurious behaviors. That initial interest, and the outcomes he observed when using DBT, resulted in a career focused on increasing the reach of DBT. Working with Behavioral Tech has provided him the opportunity to engage his passion for providing high quality training in DBT in collaboration with many like-minded people. As the head of training for Behavioral Tech, has led a team of some of the world’s foremost experts in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) since 2011. He has served a key role in the development and refinement of several large-scale DBT training models that have been translated into multiple languages. He has trained and consulted with health care providers world-wide regarding the treatment of borderline personality disorder, substance use disorders, and suicidal and self-injurious behaviors in adults and adolescents and has been involved in large-scale systemwide DBT implementation projects in multiple countries and several US states. He is a member of the International Dissemination and the Training Committees of the World Association for Dialectical Behavior Therapy (WDBTA), formed in 2021, and serves on the WDBTA transitional Board of Directors as its Treasurer. He has been licensed as a psychologist in the State of Washington since 1998 and is certified by the DBT – Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC). He lives in Seattle, WA in the United States.

Dr. DuBose received a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Pacific University of Oregon. He completed his predoctoral psychology internship at Western State Hospital in Lakewood, WA, and his residency requirements for psychology licensure as a postdoctoral fellow in clinical child psychology through the University of Washington’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Before training as a psychologist, he completed a Master of Science degree in counseling from Loyola University of New Orleans and worked as a family therapist upon completion of that degree. His interest in suicidal and self-injurious behaviors developed when working with adolescents at high risk for suicide at the Child Study and Treatment Center, the state psychiatric hospital for children in Washington, where he served as director of the older adolescent program from 1997 to 2001. He is a Founding Member, and served as the first President & CEO, of the Evidence Based Treatment Centers of Seattle, PLLC. He held appointments on the clinical faculty in the University of Washington’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Psychology from 1998 – 2012. He collaborated with Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP, and other researchers on the study of DBT, particularly related to its dissemination and implementation. He served as a member of the strategic planning group that formed the WDBTA.

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Degrees & Credentials:
Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Art in International Affairs and Russian Studies from Western Washington University.

Kimberly’s work experience in community health during her 5 years as a Peace Corps volunteer overseas as well as her role as Operations Coordinator in a high caliber residential treatment facility for women in southern US that used DBT as their primary treatment program helped shape her interest and affinity for work at BTECH with our Trainers, TnTs, and international affiliates.

In addition to her work in mental health, Kimberly enjoys volunteering with local HIV/AIDS organizations, gardening, and various yoga & meditation practices.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTech?

Knowing the work I do can be a small piece of helping people as they embrace and use DBT to affect positive change in their lives.

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Bio:
André Ivanoff, Ph.D., is Professor at Columbia University in the City of New York where she directs the Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training Program and Lab and teaches in the School of Social Work. Since 2011 she served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the nonprofit Linehan Institute, now known as Behavioral Tech Institute. The Institute’s mission is the dissemination and implementation of DBT.  She also serves as the President of Behavioral Tech, the training company founded by Marsha Linehan. She is former Chair of the Columbia University Social & Behavioral Institutional Review Board (Human Subjects’ Protections). Her research and clinical interests include the training of DBT in academic and post-graduate settings across mental health disciplines, development of DBT skills-based suicide & crisis prevention methods, and the general application of DBT to the problems of those involved in the criminal justice system. She has authored over 90 publications on suicidal behaviors, DBT, and behavior change methods, and trains internationally and nationally with outpatient, inpatient, residential and correctional/forensic systems implementing DBT.

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Bio:
Gwen Abney-Cunningham, LMSW, is currently a fulltime Behavioral Tech consultant and trainer.  Prior to coming to Behavioral Tech full time, she was employed at a community mental health agency for 32 years, in many roles, including; DBT Services Supervisor, Outpatient Services Director, and most recently as Evidenced Based Treatment Director. Ms. Abney-Cunningham received her Bachelor’s degree from Hope College and her MSW from Grand Valley State University. She has 30 plus years of professional experience and is a member of one of the first teams in the U.S. to apply DBT within an ACT program. Ms. Abney-Cunningham is intensively trained in DBT and an experienced workshop leader at state, national, and international conferences. Ms. Abney-Cunningham’s experience in DBT includes individual and skills training for adults, adolescents and families and providing DBT supervision to clinicians. In addition, she has assisted in the development and implementation of DBT on ACT teams and in outpatient settings. Gwen has been involved with the large-scale implementations of DBT in Michigan for Community Mental Health settings. She has been a Behavioral Tech trainer for 20 years. Gwen has also served on the Behavioral Tech Trainer Advisory Committee and the Behavioral Tech Implementation Science Workgroup.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTech?

It is very motivating to me to provide a treatment and assist others with providing a treatment that is life changing.

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Bio:
Vibh Forsythe Cox, PhD, is a Training and Development specialist for Behavioral Tech, LLC (BTECH). She is part of the team that creates content for BTECH’s training offerings. Dr. Cox is also a Trainer and consultant for Behavioral Tech. In that role, she provides consultation for DBT teams internationally, specializing in newly forming DBT teams. She has experience providing DBT in a variety of settings, including university-based research, inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and forensic settings. Dr. Cox is a licensed Psychologist in Washington State and is certified by the DBT – Linehan Board of Certification. Dr. Cox is invested in DBT because she sees it as a way to use compassionate, evidence-based care to give hope and solutions to people whose suffering is leading them to contemplate suicide or preventing them from reaching goals that are meaningful for them. Even when people know what kind of treatment could help them move toward their important goals, they are not always able to access that treatment. Dr. Cox is committed to increasing equitable access to treatment. In addition to using this treatment directly with clients, she joined the Behavioral Tech team in order to help train more providers to effectively deliver this life changing treatment. Dr. Cox also works to train treatment providers in her role as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington. She is the Director of the Marsha M. Linehan DBT Clinic, a training clinic where she supervises graduate student trainees as they learn the foundations of DBT. Also in service of her goal to increase equity in treatment, Dr. Cox has provided team consultation related to Anti-Racism in DBT.

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Degrees and Certificates:
Julie holds a Bachelor and Master’s of Education from Clemson University. She holds a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College. She completed coursework to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Penn State.

Bio:
Julie has worked in Special Education for the last 20 years. For the past 10 years she has served as Behavior Analyst for a large school district near Atlanta. In this role she conducts functional behavior assessments, develops behavior plans, trains staff members and parents and works with a multi-disciplinary team to support students and their behavior. She also owns a private practice where she supports children and families through applied behavior analysis. She is a DBT coach and skills group leader for those who already have an individual DBT therapist. She provides professional learning for teachers, therapists, and BCBA’s and consults with agencies concerning applied behavior analysis.

Julie enjoys teaching yoga, mindfulness and meditation and is a Registered Yoga Teacher 500hr. She volunteers as a co-leader of Family Connections through NEABPD and she served as the president of her local chapter of NAMI. She is a Master Mindset Trainer and trains others within her district to be trainers in Mindset de-escalation and physical containment.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTech?

I have seen DBT change lives and I want to be a part of disseminating adherent DBT to all who need it.

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Degrees and Certificates:
Tricia has a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies from Seattle University.

Bio:
Tricia has more than 20 years of consultative sales, project management and business development experience. In addition, she has extensive experience managing large-scale implementations of DBT across systems.

Tricia is both a running junkie and a down-hill ski racer enthusiast.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTech?

I am passionate about playing a part in making compassionate, evidence-based care available to those who need it most.

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Degrees and Certificates:
Trang holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Law, Society, and Justice from the University of Washington. In addition, she completed Paralegal Studies Program at the University of Washington Professional and Continuing Education.

Bio:
Trang had previously interned at the Federal Public Defenders and her volunteer works during her undergraduate years shaped her interest and knowledge in planning, managing, and executing projects as well as online research around regulations and statutes on CE/CME requirements.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTech?

Being able to work with a group of passionate and brilliant people who are all dedicated to making a world a better place.

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Degrees and Certificates:
Eli completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Washington. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a certification in International Development Policy and Management.

Bio:
Eli has spent his professional career working across the advocacy and nonprofit sector. In all of his roles, he has focused on organizational development and technology systems. Prior to joining BTech, Eli was a member of the digital strategies team at Sierra Club working on systems to support state-based organizing teams across the US.

Eli currently resides in Seattle, WA with his wife and pup. He enjoys all things outdoors and particularly likes to get out on the water in the summer months. Come election season, you can often find Eli volunteering for political campaigns and initiatives.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTech?

Mental health is so crucial for individuals and communities — it’s a privilege to be part of a team that is increasing access to DBT worldwide.

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Degrees and Certificates:
Toni holds a Bachelor of Art in International Studies and Master of Public Administration both from Bowling Green State University. In addition, she is a certified Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma from Owens-Illinois.

Bio:
Toni has worked and volunteered in the non-profit sector advocating and advancing social justice in various areas from global poverty to human trafficking and pretrial justice for the past 18 years. She has held positions include Program Manager, Data Lead, Associate Director, and Director of Operations for organizations from community foundations to national organizations.

In addition to her work in the nonprofit sector, Toni also volunteers as a CASA/G.A.L. in her community. In this role she advocates for children who are found to be abused, neglected or dependent. In addition, she is a Director at Healing Conversations, an initiative focused on race and reconciliation.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTech?

As a former patient of a DBT-informed program, I want to help others experience its life-changing power.

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Degrees and Certificates:
Sajayah has a Bachelors of Science in Supply Chain Management from Rutgers University

Bio:
Sajayah has more than 3 years experience in supporting non-profit administration and is currently pursuing her masters in social work.

She is passionate about all things mental health.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTech?

I love the mission-oriented culture of BTech, in which we train clients to better support the needs of those with mental health challenges.