About DBTNACRA
The Dialectical Behavior Therapy North American and Caribbean Regions Association (DBTNACRA) is an international, multidisciplinary association whose purpose is to promote research, education, training and increased access to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in the North American and Caribbean regions. DBTNACRA serves as a chapter of the World DBT Association (WDBTA).
Our mission is to promote excellence, accessibility and equity in DBT through clinical training, education, research and professional collaboration.
The aims of the Association are:
promoting excellence in clinical training and education for clinicians;
community education to help the public identify and access high-quality DBT;
increasing accessibility of training at affordable costs;
supporting providers from underrepresented communities;
expanding access to clinical resources, including diary cards and related tools;
supporting opportunities for DBT research and connections amongst researchers;
supporting the implementation of new teams and coordination amongst teams;
supporting resources for individuals with lived experiences and their family members
Leadership
Our board
Armida Rubio Fruzzetti, PhD
President
Dr. Fruzzetti is a Research Fellow at the National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, and leads DBT supervision and implementation for Ireland’s National DBT Training Team. She is a supervising psychologist at McLean Hospital, an instructor at Harvard Medical School and co-founder of the Center for DBT & Families.
Hélène Poitras, OTR
Vice-President
Hélène Poitras is an occupational therapist and licensed psychotherapist who leads a DBT program at Santé Québec in Montréal. She founded TCD Québec, affiliated with Behavioral Tech Institute, to support the development and implementation of DBT across different countries, particularly French-speaking regions. She has also contributed to DBT research projects and publications.
Alicia Smart, PsyD
Treasurer
Dr. Smart is a Linehan Board Certified clinician with over 15 years of experience treating high-risk, suicidal clients. She is founder and clinical director of Guidepost DBT and co-founder of TheraHive, an online platform that makes DBT skills education accessible worldwide.
Ronda Oswalt Reitz, PhD
Secretary
Dr. Reitz has led DBT delivery and implementation for more than 25 years, including as DBT Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Mental Health. An internationally recognized trainer and consultant with the Behavioral Tech Institute, she serves on the board of the Linehan Institute, co-founded the Health Resiliency Institute and is a longtime student of Rinzai Zen.
Tamare P. Piersaint, PsyD, CRC, LPC, LMHC, NCC, QS
Board Member
Dr. Piersaint is Clinical Director and owner of Serenity for Youth & Families and founder of Serenity for Youth Publishing. With over 15 years of clinical experience, she provides trauma-informed, evidence-based care that incorporates DBT skills, and serves as an Associate Professor and core faculty member in a Clinical Psychology PsyD program.
Marjorie Kreppel, LCPC, NCC, MA
Board Member
Marjorie Kreppel is founder and CEO of The Counseling Center Group, a nationally certified counselor and a DBT-Linehan Board Certified Clinician. She oversees the group’s strategic direction, therapist development and quality standards, and has completed intensive and advanced DBT training through Behavioral Tech.
Ashley Connors, MSW, LICSW
Board Member
Ashley Connors is a Consulting and Training Specialist with Behavioral Tech and runs a private practice in Washington State. For nearly a decade she has specialized in treating adults and adolescents with suicidal and self-harming behavior, and she also treats anxiety disorders.