Denise Ben-Porath

Background

Denise D. Ben-Porath, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Psychology Department at John Carroll University, where she has served since 2000. She currently teaches courses in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eating disorders, and psychopathology. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with distinction from The Ohio State University and completed her master’s and doctoral training in clinical psychology at Kent State University. Dr. Ben-Porath is widely recognized for her expertise in DBT and evidence-based treatment, combining an extensive academic career with robust clinical practice.\\In addition to her university role, Dr. Ben-Porath has served since 2009 as a national and international B-Tech Trainer for Behavioral Tech, the organization founded by Dr. Marsha Linehan to disseminate empirically supported treatments. Her research and editorial contributions include serving as Associate Editor and Editorial Board Member for Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, as well as conducting research consultation for hospitals, community agencies, and DBT programs. She has worked collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to implement outcome measures, analyze data, and guide program development across multiple levels of care.\\Dr. Ben-Porath’s clinical and consulting career spans hospitals, residential programs, community mental health agencies, eating disorder treatment centers, correctional facilities, and private practice. She has provided individual and couples therapy within a DBT framework, developed specialized DBT programs for sex trafficked victims, foster parents, incarcerated individuals, and those with eating disorders. Here work consistently centers on improving care for difficult-to-treat populations and advancing the use of DBT to reduce suffering and strengthen treatment systems across Ohio and beyond.

Areas of Expertise

My areas of expertise include Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), personality disorders and eating disorders. As a licensed clinical psychologist I am frequently called upon to train various mental health agencies in DBT and/or consult on challenging clinical cases that present with suicidal, homicidal and non-suicidal self injurious behaviors. Recent trainings and consultations have been for the United States Department of Defense, the Fulbright University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and the DBT Korea Institute in Seoul Korea.

Research Interests

Personality disorders \Effectiveness of empirically supported treatments Dialectical behavior therapy \Etiology and treatment of borderline personality disorder

Education

Courses Taught

Publications

Martin-Wagar, C., Melcher, K., Chumita, C., & Ben-Porath, D. (2027). Physical health-related counseling concerns. In V. E. Kress & M. Paylo (Eds.), Counseling children and adolescents (2nd ed.). Pearson.

Ben-Porath, D., Hinkle, M., Martin-Wagar, C., & Drew, M. (2026). Feeding and eating disorders. In V. E. Kress & M. Paylo (Eds.), Treating those with mental disorders: A comprehensive approach to case conceptualization and treatment (3rd ed.). Pearson.

O’Mara, S., VanDine, Tarescavage, A. & Ben -Porath,D. D. (2021). Examining DBT Day Treatment in Treating Mood Dysregulation and Anxiety in Women Diagnosed with Eating Disorders. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 51 (1), 15-20.

Ben-Porath, D.D., Duthu, F., Luo, T., Gonidakis, F., Compte, E.J. & Wisniewski, L. (2020). Dialectical behavioral therapy: an update and review of the existing treatment models adapted for adults with eating disorders, Eating Disorders, DOI:10.1080/10640266.2020.1723371

Ben-Porath, D.D., Bhatnager, K, & Sedall, S. (2019). Physical Health-Related Counseling Issues: Eating Disorders, Elimination Disorders, and Chronic Illness/Disability Counseling. In Kress, V. E., Paylo, M., & Stargell, N. A. (2018). Counseling children and adolescents. Columbus, Ohio: Pearson.

Martin-Wagar, C.A., Melcher, K.A., Chumita, C. & Ben-Porath, D.D. (in press) Physical Health Related Counseling Concerns

*ona, A., Jones, A.C., Masterson, T., Ben-Porath, D.D. (2017). Biases in Attention and Memory for Body Shape Images in Eating Disorders. Eating and Weight Disorders. http://dx.doi.org.jcu.ohionet.org/10.1007/s40519-017-0472-z

Wisniewski, L. & Ben-Porath, D.D. (2015). Dialectical behavior therapy and eating disorders: The use of contingency management procedures to manage dialectical dilemmas. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 69, 129-140.

Ben-Porath, D.D. & Bhatnager, K. (2015). Feeding and Eating Disorders. In V. E. Kress and M. J. Paylo’s (Eds.), Treating those with mental disorders: A strength-based, comprehensive approach to case conceptualization and treatment (Chapter 11). Columbus, Ohio: Pearson.

Ben-Porath, D.D., Federici, A., Wisniewski, L., & Warren, M. (2014). Dialectical behavior therapy: Does it bring about improvements in affect regulation in individuals with eating disorders? Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 44, 245-251.
Ben-Porath, D.D. (2014). Orienting clients to dialectical behavior therapy. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 22, 407-414.

Almagor, M. & Ben-Porath, D.D. (2013). Functional Dialectic Systems Approach. Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy, 23 (4), 397-405

Marek, R.J., Ben-Porath, D.D., Federici, A., & Wisniewski, L. (2013). Targeting premeal anxiety in eating disordered clients and normal controls: A preliminary investigation into the use of mindful eating vs. distraction during food exposure. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 46 (6), 582-585.

Federici, A., Wisniewski, L., Ben-Porath, D.D. (2012). Description of an Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program for Multidiagnostic Clients with Eating Disorders. Journal of Counseling and Development, 90, 330-338.

Ben-Porath, D.D. (2011). Introduction to the Special Issue on DBT and Telephone Skills Coaching. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice,18, 165-167.

Limbrunner, H. Ben-Porath, D.D. & Wisniewski, L. (2011). DBT Telephone Skills Coaching with Eating Disordered Clients: Who Calls for What Reasons, and for How Long? Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 18, 186-196.

Ben-Porath, D.D. (2010). Dialectical behavior therapy applied to parent skills training: Adjunctive treatment for parents with difficulties in affect regulation. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 17, 458-465.

Ben-Porath, D.D. & Wisniewski, L. (2010). Outcomes of a Day Treatment Program for Eating Disorders using Clinical and Statistical Significance, Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 40,115-123.

Ben-Porath, D.D., Wisniewski, L., & Warren, M. (2009). Differential Treatment Response for Eating Disordered Patients with and without a Comorbid Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosis Using a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed Approach. Eating Disorders, 17, 225-241.

Ben-Porath, D.D. & Koons, C.R. (2005). Telephone coaching in dialectical behavior therapy: A decision-tree model for managing intersession contact with clients. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 12, 448-460.

Wisniewski, L. & Ben-Porath, D.D. (2005). Telephone skill coaching with eating-disordered clients: Clinical guidelines using a DBT framework. European Eating Disorders Review, 13, 1-7.

Ben-Porath, D.D., Peterson, G.A., & Smee, J. (2004). Treatment of individuals with borderline personality disorder in a community mental health setting: Clinical application and a preliminary investigation. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 11, 424-434.

Ben-Porath, D.D. (2004). Strategies for securing commitment to treatment from individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 34 (3), 247-263.

Ben-Porath, D.D. (2004). Intersession telephone contact with clients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder: Lessons from dialectical behavior therapy. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 11, 222-230.