About Us

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 Institute 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 Institute, 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.

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.

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 Institute. The Institute’s mission is the dissemination and implementation of DBT.  She also serves as the President of Behavioral Tech Institute, 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.

Bio:
Gwen Abney-Cunningham, LMSW, is currently a fulltime Behavioral Tech Institute consultant and trainer.  Prior to coming to Behavioral Tech Institute 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 Institute trainer for 20 years. Gwen has also served on the Behavioral Tech Institute Trainer Advisory Committee and the Behavioral Tech Institute 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.

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.

Degrees and Certificates:
She received her Bachelor of Social Work from Arizona State University. Master of Social Work from the University of Alaska Anchorage and Master of Business Administration from Alaska Pacific University.

Bio:
Erica Jolley is a professional business development leader with over 25 years in the mental healthcare industry. Prior to joining the Behavioral Tech Institute team as the Business Development Manager, she started her career in the juvenile justice system in Arizona. Then moved to Alaska in 1999, where she was the Licensing Manager for the Office of Children Services for several years. Throughout her 17 years of experience with Universal Health Services she held several positions as the Business Development Director, National Manager and Regional Director. She successfully created and executed business development plans for various service lines, built strong relationships with referring providers, instrumental in growing new business and opening new programs. Marketed for psychiatric programs including acute care hospitals, residential treatment centers and partial hospitalization programs.

Erica is passionate about breaking the mental health stigma and promoting quality mental health services. She enjoys time with family and friends and engaging in outdoor activities such kayaking, snowboarding, biking and jogging.

What drives you to work in the world of DBT at BTECH?
Excited to work with the Behavioral Tech Institute team to offer evidence-based DBT training to national and international behavioral healthcare systems.

Degrees and Certificates:
Jonay received at Bachelors Degree in Education from UNLV and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Grand Canyon University.

Bio:
Jonay has worked in Behavioral Health for over 20 years with a focus on adolescent treatment. She has worked within residential, inpatient, and outpatient programs. Her direct care experience involves case management, wrap around, and crisis services. The last 13 years have been devoted to business development to ensure the connection for those in need of behavioral health services and receiving the highest quality of services.

Jonay is an ally and an advocate for human trafficking survivors. She has worked with agencies and nonprofits to assure treatment and services were provided for victims.

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

There can be organizational transformations when DBT is implemented correctly with significant positive outcomes that benefit communities.