DBT Profile Blog: Shireen Rizvi – Bridging Trauma, Science, and Compassion in DBT

TheraHive’s DBT Profile series highlights the innovators, advocates, and leaders shaping the world of mental health. Each profile shows how their passion and dedication are changing lives through Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

Imagine if you could trace every behavior—good or bad—back through the steps that led to it. That’s the power of chain analysis, a core DBT skill that helps clients and therapists break down behaviors step by step to understand their triggers, consequences, and patterns. No one has done more to make this skill accessible than Dr. Shireen Rizvi. 

A direct student of Marsha Linehan, the founder of DBT and one of modern psychology’s most influential figures, Shireen has carried forward that legacy by helping countless therapists and clients deepen their understanding of DBT. 

Her impact on TheraHive is personal: she was co-founder Jesse Finkelstein’s graduate advisor at Rutgers University, oversaw the very first research on our program, contributed directly to our curriculum, and collaborated with Jesse to write the book Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships.

A Disciple of Marsha Linehan

Every therapy has a beginning. For DBT, that beginning was Marsha Linehan. In the 1980s, Marsha developed DBT to help people experiencing chronic suicidality and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Her work revolutionized treatment by blending acceptance with change, giving people tools to manage intense emotions and build a life worth living.

Dr. Shireen Rizvi was one of the few students trained directly by Marsha. This is no small detail—learning DBT at the source gave Shireen both the scientific precision and the compassionate spirit of the model. Just like her mentor, she has gone on to train a new generation of DBT therapists while expanding the treatment in innovative directions.
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What Makes Her Work Important

Shireen’s work is known for being both rigorous and practical. She has published widely on DBT and helped shape how it is practiced in clinics around the world. Three key contributions stand out:

Mastering Chain Analysis‍

Chain analysis is a cornerstone DBT skill that maps out the sequence of factors leading to a problem behavior: vulnerabilities, triggers, thoughts, emotions, and consequences. Shireen’s work didn’t just explain the concept—she created detailed guidance for teaching it effectively, showing therapists and clients how to use chain analysis as a compassionate roadmap rather than a rote worksheet. Her approach emphasizes understanding patterns, identifying intervention points, and cultivating self-compassion, making the skill accessible and transformative for clients.‍

Learn More: Rizvi, S. L., & Ritschel, L. A. (2014). Mastering the art of chain analysis in dialectical behavior therapy. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 21(3), 335–349.

How Effective is DBT in the Real World?‍

Early DBT studies were conducted in controlled research environments, but real-world clinics present far more complexity: clients often face multiple stressors, co-occurring conditions, and limited resources. Shireen’s research examined DBT’s effectiveness outside the lab, demonstrating that it consistently reduces self-harm behaviors, improves emotional regulation, and enhances overall functioning in everyday clinical settings. This work provided critical evidence that DBT is not only scientifically sound but also practical and adaptable to real-life challenges.

Learn More: Rizvi, S. L., Steffel, L. M., & Carson-Wong, A. (2013). An overview of dialectical behavior therapy for professional psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 44(2), 73–80.
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Adapting DBT for Trauma Survivors‍

Trauma can intensify emotions and make them harder to manage, creating unique challenges for therapy. Shireen’s research has expanded DBT to better serve trauma survivors, showing how skills such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, and chain analysis can help individuals reduce suffering, manage intense emotional responses, and move toward healing. By tailoring DBT for trauma-exposed populations, her work has provided clinicians with practical strategies to support some of the most vulnerable clients, bridging the gap between theory and compassionate, effective treatment.

Learn More: Harned, M. S., Rizvi, S. L., & Linehan, M. M. (2010). Impact of co-occurring PTSD on suicidal women with borderline personality disorder receiving DBT. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(6), 911–919.

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A Closer Look: Chain Analysis with Shireen Rizvi

Imagine a moment when you react in a way you later wish you hadn’t. Chain analysis is a DBT skill that helps you trace that behavior step by step—from the triggers and vulnerabilities that set the stage, to the thoughts, emotions, actions, and consequences that follow. By mapping it out, you can uncover patterns, understand yourself better, and find points where change is possible.

To see how it works for yourself, TheraHive offers a free interactive chain analysis tool that guides you through the process, making it easy to gain clarity and build self-compassion in real time. Watch the chain analysis explanation video featuring Shireen Rizvi below to learn more, then try it yourself here.

Why It Matters

Therapy is only useful if it feels workable in real life. Shireen Rizvi has made DBT more than a treatment protocol—she has helped turn it into a set of tools that people can actually use, whether in moments of trauma, conflict, or daily stress. 

For TheraHive, she is more than a leader in the field—she’s a mentor, advisor, and collaborator who helped shape our foundation and continues to inspire the resources we share with families and individuals today. 

To see her approach in action, check out the videos below like Nurturing Self-Compassion, a conversation on why self-kindness is essential in healing, and Skills for Achieving Emotional Wellness, a practical talk on building resilience with DBT skills.

Real Skills for Real Life: Putting DBT into Practice

Beyond research and teaching, Shireen Rizvi has also brought DBT directly to readers through her collaboration with Jesse on Real Skills for Real Life: A DBT Guide to Navigating Stress, Emotions, and Relationships. This practical guide translates core DBT skills into clear, actionable steps you can use in everyday life. From managing intense emotions to improving relationships and coping with stress, the book offers 26 essential skills, decision trees to help you know which skill to use when, and real-life examples that make DBT approachable and applicable.

Whether you’re new to DBT or looking to deepen your practice, Real Skills for Real Life provides tools to help you navigate life’s challenges with confidence, self-compassion, and clarity. It’s a resource designed for anyone ready to put DBT skills into action—at home, at work, or in the midst of emotional turbulence. Explore or purchase the book here.‍

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Leaving a Lasting Impact

Dr. Shireen Rizvi’s work shows that DBT is more than therapy—it’s a practical, compassionate toolkit for navigating life’s challenges. Through her research, teaching, and mentorship, she has made complex skills accessible and transformative for both therapists and clients. Her contributions inspire hope, understanding, and the confidence to create real change in everyday life.

If you’re interested in exploring these skills for yourself, TheraHive’s Adult DBT Skills Group offers a supportive space to practice tools like chain analysis, mindfulness, and more. It’s a way to bring DBT into your daily life, step by step, alongside others learning the same skills.