Evidence Library

The Research Behind WithMarsha

WithMarsha blends evidence-based DBT protocols with responsible AI. Below you’ll find the peer-reviewed work guiding our safety guardrails, product roadmap, and therapist partnerships.

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Linehan et al. (1991)

The foundational RCT demonstrating DBT’s superiority over treatment-as-usual for reducing self-harm and inpatient days among individuals with borderline personality disorder.

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Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Neacsiu et al. (2010)

Measured skill acquisition across DBT modules, highlighting the importance of daily practice and homework adherence in driving outcomes.

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Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation

Wilks et al. (2021)

Systematic review of DBT mobile apps; concluded clinician-informed design and evidence-based structure are key for safety and engagement.

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Frontiers in Psychology

Linardon et al. (2024)

Feasibility trial showing DBT skills training via smartphone improves adherence and emotion regulation for adults outside formal therapy.

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JMIR Mental Health

Fleming et al. (2022)

Meta-analysis of mental health apps reporting 32% average symptom reduction when daily prompts and reflective journaling are present—design cues we incorporate throughout WithMarsha.

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How we apply the evidence

  • Daily skills dosage: Our morning prompts and evening reflections mirror the “skills homework” dosage that correlates with improved outcomes in Neacsiu et al.
  • Safety guardrails: Crisis response copy and escalation workflows incorporate best practices outlined in Wilks et al.’s app review.
  • Therapist handoff: Optional recap emails help clinicians integrate chat insights into sessions, supporting care continuity highlighted in the smartphone-assisted DBT literature.

Looking for more?

We regularly translate new DBT and digital mental health findings on the WithMarsha blog. Start with our beginner’s guide to DBT or explore detailed skill breakdowns and therapist Q&As.

Ask us about clinical partnerships