DBT: first major trial for BPD

Linehan publishes results of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disorder. First validated therapy for a condition considered 'untreatable'.

Evidence-based psychotherapy has demonstrated efficacy comparable to psychopharmacotherapy for most common disorders, with effects that are often more durable. The diversification of approaches — from CBT to psychodynamic treatments and third-wave therapies — has allowed interventions to be tailored to individual patient needs.

The 1990s were a turning point for psychology: the rise of evidence-based psychotherapy, the first neuroimaging studies in clinical contexts, and growing recognition of the effects of childhood trauma on adult health.

Significance: This milestone significantly contributed to the development of psychology as a science and profession, influencing research, clinical practice, or public policy.