DBT in a Nutshell for Adolescents and Caregivers

March 6-7, 2025
7:00am – 2:30pm Pacific Time
10:00am – 5:30pm Eastern Time

Presented via Zoom Video Communications

PRESENTED BY

April Sobieralski, PsyD

DBT-Linehan Board of Certification Certified Clinician™

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a highly efficacious treatment developed by Marsha M. Linehan, PhD for multi-diagnostic, severely disordered individuals with borderline personality disorder and other problems of emotion dysregulation. DBT has been adapted (Rathus & Miller, 2014) to treat adolescents struggling with self-harm and suicidal behaviors, as well as their families. Numerous studies now demonstrate that DBT for adolescents is efficacious at reducing suicidal and non-suicidal self-harm behaviors and improving quality of life. DBT for adolescents is particularly important as a secondary prevention intervention, as a significant number of adolescents admitted to inpatients units meet criterion behaviors for borderline personality (50%, Kaess, Brunner, & Chanen, 2014).

This two-day training will provide an overview of DBT with a special emphasis on the adaptation of DBT for adolescents and their families.

Topics covered will include:

  • Overview of the DBT treatment structure and targets when treating adolescents and families.
  • The use of validation and behavior targeting with adolescents and families.
  • DBT stylistic strategies for use with adolescents and families.
  • A “big picture” overview of the adapted DBT skills set for adolescents and families.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this two-day workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the 4 modes of DBT and the 3 levels of the treatment hierarchy
2. Use a DBT diary card to create a treatment hierarchy for an adolescent client
3. Identify 4 commitment strategies
4. Describe the “bio” and “social” elements of the biosocial theory
5. Label the 6 levels of validation used in DBT
6. Identify 4 change procedures used in DBT

PREREQUISITESDBT Skills Manual for Adolescents

There are no prerequisites for this course. For maximal impact, we encourage learners to bring copies of Rathus and Miller’s (2014) DBT Skills Manual for Adolescents

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This course is designed for mental health professionals with or without familiarity with DBT who work with adolescents and their families and are interested in learning strategies to treat individuals with severe emotion dysregulation.

DELIVERY METHOD

We will apply highly engaging instructional strategies, along with audience participation, to bring the teaching to life.

CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS

Participants who complete both training days will earn 12 CE hours.

Portland DBT Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6326.
Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Portland DBT Institute is solely is responsible for all aspects of the programs.

PRICING

Individual Registration Fee
$349.00
Group Registration Fee for 3 or more
$325.00
Student Registration Fee
$315.00

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Private Training Requests

Portland DBT Institute training is available to schedule as a private training for your group. PDBTI’s training team travels locally, nationally, and internationally, to provide evidence based, adherent DBT training. Please fill out our Training Request Form and a training coordinator will contact you to see how we can work together to exceed your organization’s training goals.

Private Training Request


CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

A $60.00 handling fee will be deducted upon cancellation. Refund requests by fax or email must be received two weeks before the start date. In addition, the fees are non-transferrable.

PDBTI reserves the right to cancel any program due to under-enrollment, or any course due to work stoppages, instructor illness or inclement weather. If a course is cancelled, PDBTI is responsible for refunding only the course fee.