Dialectical behavior therapy (or DBT) is an evidence-based treatment developed by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan and was designed to help people who sometimes experience overwhelming emotions. It emphasizes balancing behavioral change, problem- solving, and emotional regulation with validation, mindfulness, and acceptance.
This course focuses on using DBT theory and interventions to assess and intervene with problematic behaviour patterns including behaviours associated with suicidality and self harm, substance use, and impaired functioning. Marsha Linehan’s theory, psycho-educational material, and phases of treatment will be reviewed and practiced with didactic and experiential methods.
DBT skills aim to help enhance client’s capabilities in day-to-day life. Participants will learn and practise the 4 DBT skills to enhance client’s capabilities in day-to-day life:
- Mindfulness: This is the practice of being fully aware and focused in the present instead of worrying about the past or future.
- Distress tolerance: This involves understanding and managing your emotions in difficult or stressful situations without responding with harmful behaviors.
- Interpersonal effectiveness: This means understanding how to ask for what you want and need and setting boundaries while maintaining respect for yourself and others.
- Emotion regulation: This means understanding, being more aware of and having more control over your emotions.
Participants will also learn telephone crisis coaching techniques to support clients in between sessions.
Learning Objectives
After successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify Bio-social theory aspects of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
- Identify maladaptive attempts of coping in a conceptual construct.
- Develop a person-centered treatment plan addressing all functional areas in which DBT objectives and interventions can be applied.
- Apply DBT techniques during phase oriented treatment of behaviours (starting with highest risk behaviours).
- Define and understand how the 4 modules of DBT (Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness) are used to increase healthy and effective behaviours to enhance areas of functioning.
- Set up telephone crisis coaching system to support clients in between sessions.
Target Audience
This workshop is suitable for:
- Social Workers working in social service agencies
- Medical Social Workers working in hospitals and medical institutions
- Psychologists and Counsellors in private practice and schools
Duration
3 sessions of 4 hours each. Due to the time difference between US and Singapore, the sessions will be conducted in the mornings (Singapore time).
Workshop Topics
- Foundations of DBT including DBT Theory
- BioSocial Theory
- Dialectical Dilemmas
- Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance Modules
- Strategies to Reduce Substance Use and Emotion Regulation
- Interpersonal Effectiveness and DBT Group Treatment
- Therapy Interfering Behaviours and Treatment Planning
- Individual DBT Interventions
- Advanced Strategies
- Practice in Groups