The effective use of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) in clinical practice with adolescents

To optimize learning and facilitate processing of the intensive content, this training is structured as four half-day sessions: August 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST each day.

Facilitator: Robyn Lam, MA, RP, CCC

Description: Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a well-researched approach in treating emotion regulation issues. Although originally developed for adults, it has been adapted over the years to be used with adolescents, both individually and in skills groups.

The practice of DBT with adolescents requires some necessary adjustments to take into consideration their developmental stage and needs. This training is for professionals who would like to use DBT in working with adolescents on regulating emotions and managing distress, and is not intended as a formal training for becoming a DBT therapist.

This training will cover the core skills and concepts of DBT for adolescents, and focus primarily on how to utilize them effectively in your clinical practice and encourage integration of DBT skills in the youth's daily life.

Learning objectives:

• Summarize the core DBT priniciples and skills as applied to adolescents 
• Facilitate the psychoeducation of DBT principles and skills when working with adolescents
• Facilitate turning DBT philosophy and skills into 'life practice' for the adolescents 

Day 1: Foundations of DBT for adolescents

• Explore the core principles, components, structure and theoretical framework of DBT
• Understand the biosocial model for emotion regulation
• Align with DBT values and integrate into your practice

Day 2: DBT skills toolkit for adolescents

• Master the core DBT skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness
• Understand "walking the middle path" 
• Practice integration: Discover notable DBT tools - diary card

Day 3: Bringing DBT to life

• Implement DBT in practice: overview, family, skills group, individual therapy
• Conduct case conceptualization, intervention planning and sills coaching
• Utilize powerful tools like behavioral chain analysis

Day 4: Overcoming ambivalence with DBT

• Understand and address therapy-interfering behaviors
• Apply DBT strategies and communication: commitment, validation, styles of communication, humour, dialectic techniques
• Handle special considerations: suicide protocol and virtual

Registration fee: General $600 | Student $540

Learn more and reserve your spot at: https://cvent.me/15KPKq