title: Reliability and validity of the DBT-VLCS: A measure to code validation strategies in dialectical behavior therapy sessions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are six strategies or validation levels in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), yet there are no measures designed to code for them. This absence limits our understanding of the relationship between validation strategies and treatment outcome. The DBT-Validation Level Coding Scale (DBT-VLCS) was developed to overcome this limitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This research reports on the interrater reliability and content validity for the DBT-VLCS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, interrater reliability was excellent for all items, with the exception of two items that demonstrated good reliability. Good content validity was demonstrated for six of the seven items.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study suggests that the DBT-VLCS is a reliable and valid measure to code the presence of validation in DBT. This measure creates the opportunity for research that has not previously been possible.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Rutgers University , Piscataway , NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carson-Wong
authors.affiliation: b Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology , Rutgers University , Piscataway , NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Shireen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rizvi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
keywords: dialectical behavior therapy; emotion in therapy; personality disorders; process research; therapeutic strategies