DBT for Court: Online DBT Skills Classes for Probation, Custody, and Court Requirements
DBT Path is an online DBT skills class that students have used for years to meet a court requirement, whether as a condition of probation, to satisfy a custody hearing, or for another court case, and it provides documentation of your participation and completion. DBT Path is the original online DBT skills class, taught since 2013 by founder Debbie DeMarco Bennett, and it gives you a clear, structured, and respectful way to complete a DBT skills course entirely from home. If a court or attorney has asked you to complete DBT for court, here is how DBT Path works and what to confirm first.
Please check with your legal counsel first
Over the years, several students have enrolled in our DBT Skills Course as a condition of their probation, or to satisfy a requirement for a custody hearing or other court case. Please be sure to consult with your legal counsel to confirm that they will accept proof of your participation and completion of our course to satisfy your requirements.
Requirements vary by court, judge, and case, so it is important to check before you enroll. DBT Path cannot guarantee that any particular court will accept the course, and this page is information, not legal advice.
What DBT Path provides for a court requirement
- A complete, structured DBT skills course covering all four evidence-based modules
- Documentation of your participation and completion that you can share with your attorney or the court
- Live online classes you can attend from anywhere, with recordings so you never miss a session
- Personalized written feedback each week on your skills practice
- A welcoming, non-judgmental environment where you are treated with respect
Please note: Completion of the weekly homework is required in order to receive the letters and documentation for the court. The documentation reflects your active participation and completion, so keeping up with your weekly skills practice is essential.
How the class works
DBT Path is a live, online, lecture-style class that runs as a 36-week program. Each week you attend about one hour of live class and complete about one hour of self-paced study that includes your homework. Classes are camera optional, with no pressure to speak, and every session is recorded. There is no commute and no waitlist, so you can join a class in progress and begin right away when you have a deadline, then catch up on any recordings.
The skills you will learn
DBT Path teaches the full, evidence-based DBT skills set:
- Mindfulness: staying present and steady instead of reacting on autopilot
- Distress Tolerance: getting through crises and painful moments safely
- Emotion Regulation: understanding and managing intense emotions
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: communicating, setting boundaries, and handling conflict
These are real, practical skills, so whatever brought you here, you leave with tools that help in everyday life, not just a box checked.
Tuition, and a flexible way to start
When you pay for the 9-month program up front, DBT Path works out to about $41.75 per week. If you prefer, you can start on the month-to-month plan, and if you switch to the 9-month plan before your next payment, you still keep the $500 savings. Scholarships are available and bring tuition to about $37.50 per week for those who qualify.
Why DBT Path
DBT Path is the original online DBT skills class, taught since 2013 by the same two instructors every week: founder Debbie DeMarco Bennett, a mental health educator in recovery herself, and co-teacher Dr. Kathryn Holt, PhD, LCSW. You will be treated with warmth and respect, not judgment, from your first class to your last.
A note on what this course is
DBT Path is an educational DBT skills class. It is not therapy, a psychological evaluation, treatment, or legal advice, and it does not communicate with courts on your behalf. We provide documentation of your participation and completion, and it is up to you and your legal counsel to confirm it meets your court’s requirements. If you are in crisis or at risk of harming yourself, please reach out to a mental health professional right away, or contact a crisis line such as 988 (call or text) in the US.
Frequently asked questions about DBT for court
Will this course satisfy the court for my probation or case?
Over the years, several students have enrolled in DBT Path as a condition of probation or to satisfy a requirement for a custody hearing or other court case. Because requirements vary by court and case, please consult your legal counsel to confirm they will accept proof of your participation and completion of the course before you enroll.
Does DBT Path provide proof of completion?
Yes. DBT Path provides documentation of your participation and completion that you can share with your attorney or the court. Completing the required weekly homework is part of receiving this documentation, since the letters reflect your active participation in the course.
Can I start right away if I have a court deadline?
Yes. DBT Path has no waitlist. You can join a class in progress and catch up on recordings, so you can begin promptly when you are working against a court deadline.
How long is the DBT Path course?
DBT Path is a 36-week program covering all four DBT skills modules, with about one hour of live class and about one hour of self-paced study each week.
For legal professionals
If you are an attorney, probation officer, or other legal professional, you are welcome to share DBT Path with a client who has a court requirement. The one-page overview below explains what the course is, who it helps, what documentation we provide, and how to enroll. Click the cover to read it, or download a copy to give to your client.
Enroll in DBT Path
If you need to complete DBT for court, probation, or a custody requirement, DBT Path gives you a respectful, structured way to do it from home. After confirming acceptance with your legal counsel, learn more on the DBT classes page, see what to expect in a class, or enroll here.