What is the role of DBT phone coaching and its guidelines?

• A. To schedule therapy sessions
• B. To replace in-person therapy
• C. To help clients use skills in real-time crises; boundaries include not serving as ongoing therapy and respecting safety priorities
• D. To reprimand clients

Answer: (C)

Phone coaching in DBT is there to provide real-time support, helping clients apply the coping skills they’ve learned during moments of crisis. The guidelines emphasize that this coaching isn’t a substitute for ongoing individual therapy or for scheduled sessions; it’s a just-in-time resource designed to reduce distress and help prevent impulsive or self-destructive actions. A central aim is safety—the coach follows safety priorities and knows when to escalate care if there’s imminent risk, coordinating with the treatment team or emergency resources as needed. The coach’s role is to guide, prompt, and encourage the use of skills, not to deliver long-term therapy or judgment. This combination of crisis-focused skill use and clear boundaries around the coaching relationship reflects how DBT phone coaching functions within the overall treatment plan.