Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training

General Information

Presenter: Charles Swenson, M.D. & Kathryn Patrick, LCSW

Dates: Part 1: March 3-7, 2024 Part 2: October 27-31, 2024

Fee Full 10 Day Intensive: $3400. Early Bird discount (until December 1 $3250). Additional $150 discount for first 10 registrants. Current fee $3100.

Fee for Part 1 (March 3-7) $1800. Earlybird disount (Until Decemober 1) $1650.

Venue: Online Webinar

Includes full technical support, handouts, and CE credits. The training will be recorded. All participants will have access to recordings for 8 weeks. 

Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training

Description

The Comprehensive Ten-Day Workshop in DBT is a ten-day intensive training experience designed for those who have already attended introductory DBT workshops, DBT seminars, and/or have studied the treatment manuals.  It is intended for DBT teams, and individual members of DBT teams, who are invested in implementing and practicing DBT with rigor and with a high level of adherence to the manual.  This is an excellent preparation for those who wish to become certified as DBT therapists.

DBT is a treatment that is delivered to a group of patients by a clinical team.  In this training participants will learn how to build, maintain, strengthen, and function effectively in the context of a DBT Consultation Team.  Entire teams or members of teams not yet with intensive training in DBT, are encouraged to attend together.  However, individuals who are in DBT teams, or who anticipate being in DBT teams, are also encouraged to apply.  For the purposes of the workshop, these individual practitioners will be placed together in training “teams” for purposes of discussion, practice, and to remain consistent with applying DBT in a team context.

The workshop is conducted in two five-day sessions, Part 1 and Part 2, separated by 6 months.  During Part 1 the instructors will teach theory, structuring, and practice of DBT in depth, using lectures, videotapes, role-play demonstrations, and participant exercises and deliberate practices.  During the interval between Parts 1 and 2, participants will complete practice assignments and a multiple-choice exam to consolidate their knowledge bases; to design, begin to implement, or strengthen their DBT programs, to conceptualize cases in DBT terms, and to engage in the use of DBT skills and treatment strategies.  During the six-month interval, the instructors will interact with individuals and teams to help with program development, case questions, and assistance with the homework assignment as needed.  During Part 2 teams and individuals will present their work and receive consultation on their programs and cases.  At this point the principles and details of adapting DBT to specific populations and treatment contexts will also be addressed.  Part 2 will involve further teaching and demonstration of DBT strategies, with multiple opportunities for participants to practice the treatment with feedback.

This is a comprehensive and intensive training.  Over the course of 6 months participants are expected to learn to implement and practice DBT with good fidelity to the model.  As such, each participant should ensure that he/she is fully committed to the expectations of the training prior to coming.  This includes not only attending the entire training sequence, and paying for the full ten days, but also participating in an engaged and willing manner.  The instructors will model this fully engaged, fully committed stance in teaching and coaching.

Instructors

Charlie Swenson, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at University of Massachusetts Medical School, attended Harvard College and Yale Medical School. He trained in psychiatry at Yale University and trained in psychoanalysis in New Haven, Connecticut. He directed long term inpatient and day treatment programs for individuals with borderline disorders from 1982 to 1996 for New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York, including the development of a DBT inpatient program. He moved to Massachusetts in 1996 and accepted a faculty position at University of Massachusetts Medical School. He served as the Medical Director and Senior Psychiatrist of the Department of Mental Health in Western Massachusetts from 1997 to 2010. Since 1993 Dr. Swenson has conducted DBT, supervised DBT, implemented DBT, written about the topic, and trained thousands of others in DBT. He has been in private practice throughout his career, seeing adults, families, and adolescents in treatment. He has published more than twenty articles and chapters about DBT and the treatment of borderline disorders, and in 2016 published a book, DBT Principles in Action: Change, Acceptance, and Dialectics (Guilford Press).

Charlie lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, has a wife, Meredith Gould, who is a clinical psychologist, two boys, ages 23 and 27, and two dogs. In his private practice he teaches skills training groups and integrates skills into individual therapy. He has posted more than 80 1-hour podcasts about the uses of DBT to face life’s adversities. It is called To Hell and Back and can be found where podcasts are found and on his website, www.charlieswenson.com

Kathryn Patrick Butts, LCSW, DBT-LBC received her MSW at the University of Wisconsin and has dedicated her clinical career to learning, practicing, and teaching Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She was trained by and received direct clinical supervision from DBT expert, Dr. Linda Dimeff, while working as a clinician, then trainer and clinic manager at the Portland DBT Institute in Portland, OR. Since 2010 she has been training, consulting, and supervising clinicians in the practice of DBT, as well as other evidence-based practices. She has served as a clinical supervisor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington where she has supervised graduate students completing a DBT practicum at treatment developer Dr. Marsha Linehan’s lab (the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics). She has also assisted DBT expert Dr. Kelly Koerner with online therapist training and continuing education courses through the PracticeGround and the Evidence-Based Practice Institute. Since moving back to her home state of Colorado in 2015, Kathryn has run a private clinical and consultation practice, leads a DBT consultation team, and teaches as an adjunct instructor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. Kathryn is certified as a clinician by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification.

Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training

Objectives

  1. • Specify the clinical populations that are targeted in DBT
  2. • Explain the research findings supporting DBT as an evidence-based treatment for disorders of emotional dys-regulation;
  3. • Articulate the three paradigms of DBT—behaviorism, Zen/mindfulness, and dialectics—and the principles associated with each;
  4. • Explain how the DBT therapist reframes the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder as five categories of problematic behaviors;
  5. • Teach the way in which DBT’s bio-social theory accounts for the causation and maintenance of problematic borderline behavioral patterns;
  6. • Convert the patient’s list of problem behaviors into a prioritized list of treatment targets that sets the agenda for the overall treatment;
  7. • Demonstrate how the therapist reviews a diary card (self-monitoring tool) with the patient, noting the active treatment targets, and sets a prioritized treatment agenda for each session
  8. • List the five functions of comprehensive DBT treatment, the various treatment modes that subserve those functions, and how these are modified in adaptations of DBT to different clinical
  9. • List the assumptions about patients and about therapy that inform the DBT therapist
  10. • Articulate and explain the definition, the functions, the targets, and the strategies of validation in DBT
  11. • Practice the six levels of validation in work with patients
  12. • List the steps in problem solving in DBT and describe how they flow from one to another;
  13. • List and explain the four procedures for changing behaviors used in DBT
  14. • Demonstrate the practice of commitment strategies in DBT to secure a stronger commitment from the patient
  15. • Explain and demonstrate the use of informal exposure procedures in DBT
  16. • Describe how to change behaviors through reinforcement, shaping, extinction and punishment in DBT sessions and groups
  17. • Demonstrate the use of a behavioral chain analysis to assess the controlling variables of a problem behavior in a session
  18. • Describe what is meant by dialectics, and dialectical thinking, in DBT
  19. • List the dialectical strategies and provide examples of each one
  20. • Describe the two communication styles used in DBT and the context for the use of each one
  21. • Explain how the DBT team and therapist utilize the case management strategies for interacting with individuals in the patient’s network
  22. • Apply DBT’s suicide crisis protocol with a suicidal patient;
  23. • Demonstrate the use of DBT’s telephone coaching strategies
  24. • Describe the nature, format, and strategies for participating in a DBT consultation team
  25. • Describe the essential features of mindfulness practices in DBT and how they are used by the therapist in consultation team, skills training group, and individual therapy sessions
  26. • Teach the four modules of skills in DBT (mindfulness, distress tolerance emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness).

Application Deadline: January 6, 2023, or until all training spaces are filled, whichever comes first.
Notification of Acceptance: Applicants will be notified, via email, of acceptance when registration is complete, and payment is received.
Refund/Cancellation Policy: Tuition/registration payments are refundable (minus $50) until December 1, 2022. Cancellations after this date are non-refundable. In this situation, we will attempt to find someone to take your slot (based on our waiting list).
Course level: Introductory
Level of clinician: Introductory
Accessibility: Conference is handicap accessible. If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification

The Grievance Policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.

CE Information

Continuing Education Credit is granted through Nefesh International for the following professions: Psychologists, Social workers, Mental Health Counselors, and LMFTs. It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state.

NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.

NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046

NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082

NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.

This program is co-sponsored by NEFESH International and Neuhoff Psychological Consulting . NEFESH International is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NEFESH International, maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Satisfactory Completion:

Participants must have paid the tuition fee, signed in/logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop/webinar, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate. Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available electronically after satisfactory course completion. A link will be provided for those who have completed the training.

References:

 

Mazza, J.J., Dexter-Mazza, E.T., Miller, A.L., Rathus, J.H., & Murphy, H.E. (2016). DBT Skills in Schools.  Y.: Guilford Press.

Miller, A.L., Rathus, J.H., & Linehan, M.M. (2007). Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Suicidal Adolescents.  NY: Guilford Press

Rathus, J.H. & Miller, A.L. (2014). DBT Skills Training Manual for Adolescents.  Y.: Guilford Press.

Swales, M.A. (2019). Oxford Handbook of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.  London: Oxford Library of Psychology

Swenson, CR (2016). DBT Principles in Action: Acceptance, Change, and Dialectics. NY: Guilford Press

Dimeff, L.A., Harned, M.S., Woodcock, E.A., Skutch, J.M., Koerner, K., & Linehan, M.M (2015). Investigating bang for your training buck: a randomized controlled trial comparing three methods of training clinicians in two core strategies of dialectical behavior therapy. Behavior Therapy 6(3):283–95.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2015.01.001.

Sinnaeve, R., Van den Bosch, L.M., & Vansteelandt. K (2018). Effectiveness of step-down versus outpatient dialectical behaviour therapy for patients with severe levels of borderline personality disorder: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Borderline Personal Disorder & Emotion Dysregulation. 1(1):5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-018-0089-5.

Wilks, C.R., Lungu, A. Ang, S.Y., Matsumiya, B., Yin, Q., & Linehan, M.M. (2018). A randomized controlled trial of an internet delivered dialectical behavior therapy skills training for suicidal and heavy episodic drinkers. Journal of Affective Disorders, 232:219–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.053.

Linehan, M.M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Manual. New York: Guilford Press.

Linehan, M.M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets. New York: Guilford Press.

Swenson, C.R. (2016). DBT Principles in Action: Acceptance, Change, and Dialectics. New York: Guilford Press.

Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training

Schedule

PART I: 
Sunday, January 8, 2023

NOTE: Times listed below are ALL EASTERN STANDARD TIME (EST). Please adjust this schedule to your local time: 

10:00-11:10 Welcome, Orientation, Mindfulness Practice

Foundations of DBT

 Rationale, Origins & Development of DBT
 Treatment Populations, Targets, & Contexts

11:10-11:20 Break

11:20-12:30 Research Evidence

12:30-1:20 Break

1:20-2:30 DBT Paradigms and Bio-Social Theory

2:30-2:40 Break

2:40-3:50 Participant Questions
Structuring the Treatment
 DBT Tree Metaphor
 The Ultimate Goal: Building a Life Worth Living

3:50-4:00 Break

4:00-5:00 Structuring the Treatment: Goals, Stages, and Targets of Treatment

5:00-5:10 Break

5:10-6:20 Core Mindfulness Skills

Monday, January 9, 2023

10:00-11:10 Mindfulness Practice
Structuring the Treatment
 Diary Cards
 Dialectical Dilemmas and Secondary Targets


11:10-11:20 Break

11:20-12:30 Structuring the Treatment
 Functions and Modes of Treatment
 Assumptions about Clients and Therapists
 Treatment Agreements

12:30-1:20 Break

1:20-2:30 Treatment Strategies: Problem-Solving
 Problem-Solving Protocol
 Behavioral Chain Analysis

2:30-2:40 Break

2:40-3:50 Participant Questions
Treatment Strategies: Problem-Solving
 Behavioral Chain Analysis (Continued) (KP and CS: demonstration)

3:50-4:00 Break

4:00-5:00 Treatment Strategies: Problem-Solving
 Insight Strategies
 Solution Analysis Strategies
 Orienting Strategies


5:00-5:10 Break

5:10-6:20 Distress Tolerance Skills

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

10:00-11:10 Mindfulness Practice
Treatment Strategies: Problem-Solving; Commitment Strategies

11:10-11:20 Break

11:20-12:30 Commitment Strategies Demonstrations

12:30-1:20 Break

1:20-2:30 Treatment Strategies: Change Procedures, Contingencies

2:30-2:40 Break

2:40-3:50 Participant Questions
Treatment Strategies: Change Procedures, Exposure

3:50-4:00 Break

4:00-5:00 Treatment Strategies: Change Procedures, Skills Training and Cognitive Modification

5:00-5:10 Break

5:10-6:20 Emotion Regulation Skills

Wednsday, January 11, 2023

10:00-11:10 Mindfulness Practice
Treatment Strategies: Validation

11:10-11:20 Break

11:20-12:30 Validation Demonstration & Practice

12:30-1:20 Break

1:20-2:30 Treatment Strategies: Dialectical

2:30-2:40 Break

2:40-3:50 Participant Questions
Dialectical Strategies Demonstration

3:50-4:00 Break

4:00-5:00 How to Teach DBT Group Skills Training

5:00-5:10 Break

5:10-6:20 Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills

Thursday, January 12, 2023

10:00-11:10 Mindfulness Practice
Suicide Crisis Protocol

11:10-11:20 Break

11:20-12:30 Suicide Crisis Protocol Demonstration

12:30-1:20 Break

1:20-2:30 DBT Consultation Team

2:30-2:40 Break

2:40-3:50 Participant Questions
DBT Consultation Team Demonstration

3:50-4:00 Break

4:00-5:00 How to Conceptualize a Case in DBT

5:00-5:10 Break

5:10-6:20 Question/Answer
Practice Assignments
Closing

Part II: Sunday, July 9, 2023 
NOTE: All training days are 10AM--6:20PM ET. Please adjust this schedule to your local time:Orientation to Part 2Mindfulness PracticeDBT’s Suicide Protocol: Review & DemonstrateCommitment Strategies: Review & Demonstrate
Break
Review of Practice Assignments & Exam from Part 1

Orientation to case and program presentations

Lunch

Comprehensive Case Presentation #1

Behavioral Analysis: Review & Demonstrate

Break

Review of Practice Assignments & Exam from Part 1

Practice Strategies

Q/A

Monday, July 10, 2023 

Mindfulness Practice

Behavioral Analysis: Advanced Teaching

Break

Program Presentation

Comprehensive Case Presentation

Lunch

Program Presentation

Short Case Format

Case Conceptualization in DBT

Break

Skills Training Review

Practice Strategies

Tuesday, July 11, 2023 

Mindfulness Practice

Validation Strategies: Demonstration & Review

Treating In-session Dysfunctional Behaviors

Break

Program Presentation

Two Short Case Formats

Lunch

Comprehensive Case Presentation #3

DBT Adapted for Substance Use Disorders (DBT-SUDs)

Break

DBT-SUDs (continued)

Skills Training Review (2)

Practice Strategies

Wednesday July 12, 2023 

Mindfulness Practice

Phone Coaching: Demonstration & Discussion

Dialectical Strategies: Review & Demonstration

Break

Comprehensive Case Format #4

Program presentation

Lunch

Two Short case formats

DBT Adapted for Adolescents and Families (DBT-A)

Break

DBT-A (continued)

Practice Strategies

Thursday July 13, 2023 

Mindfulness Practice

Using Contingencies in DBT

Q/A

Break

Program Presentation

Comprehensive Case Presentation #5

Lunch

How to Continue to Learn and Practice DBT

Question/Answer

Closing

Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Training

Register