3-Day Certification Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy: The Complete A to Z Course on Using DBT to Treat a Wide Range of Clinical Challenges

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Program Information

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.

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Speaker

Alexa Mulee, LMHC, C-DBT Related seminars and products

Wise Mind Counseling, LLC

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Lexi Mulee, LMHC, C-DBT, founder of Wise Mind Counseling specializes in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and applies it in her work with populations with borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and substance use disorders, more specifically within the LGBTQ youth community. Lexi got her undergraduate degree at Hofstra University and pursued her graduate degree at the University of Miami. Lexi has been in the field for over 10 years and works extensively with each client to ensure their unique goals are being met. Having both experiences working at the inpatient level of care and the outpatient level of care, Lexi works uniquely with each client to ensure that their treatment is never one size fits all, but rather personalized for each individual’s needs and strengths. Lexi understands that navigating the world in 2024 as a member of the LGBTQIA community comes with its unique set of challenges and hurdles, and strives to create a safe space for clients to explore themselves, their individualized challenges and hurdles, and strives to create a safe space for clients to explore themselves, their individualized challenges, and their newfound skills to live a more effective, and thriving life!

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Alexa Mulee has employment relationships with Wise Mind Counseling, LLC. and Inter-Care. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Alexa Mulee is a member of the American Counseling Association.

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Objectives

1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the origins and foundational concepts of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
2. Identify and address treatment interfering behaviors (TIBs) that may hinder progress in therapy, such as self-sabotage, avoidance, or resistance, using DBT strategies.
3. Comprehend the concept of Dialectics and its practical application in DBT for resolving contradictions and conflicts.
4. Utilize behavior chain analysis to gain insights into problematic behaviors and develop targeted interventions to address them in DBT treatment.
5. Develop an understanding of the neurobiology of emotional dysregulation and how DBT interventions can effectively address it.
6. Recognize and prioritize treatment goals using the DBT hierarchy of treatment targets.
7. Apply validation strategies in DBT to enhance therapeutic rapport and promote positive change.
8. Utilize mindfulness as a powerful tool for emotional regulation and symptom management in DBT practice.
9. Practice distress tolerance skills with clients, including practical techniques for managing distress in the moment, grounding techniques using the five senses, shifting perspectives, reframing situations, and developing self-compassion.
10. Apply evidence-based strategies for managing crises and difficult emotions in a skillful and effective manner using DBT techniques.
11. Build interpersonal effectiveness skills in clients, including identifying strengths and weaknesses in communication, using the DEARMAN technique.
12. Utilize the DBT consultation team as a valuable resource for improving treatment planning and client outcomes.
13. Develop proficiency in structuring and conducting DBT skills groups for maximum therapeutic impact.
14. Apply strategies for managing group dynamics and promoting a positive group culture in DBT Skills Groups, including identifying and addressing challenging group members, and maintaining group cohesion throughout the group sessions.
15. Identify the application of DBT principles and techniques in diverse populations, including adolescents, individuals with substance use disorders, and those with trauma histories.
16. Apply DBT strategies to address eating disorders and other maladaptive behaviors.
17. Conduct thorough suicide risk assessments using the C-SSRS, including assessing the severity of suicidal ideation and behavior.
18. Utilize DBT interventions to effectively address suicidal behavior and self-injury in clients. 
19. Use DBT techniques to help clients improve communication skills and build healthy relationships with others. 
20. Explain how DBT skills can be applied to reduce the occurrence of compassion fatigue among clinicians. 
21. Describe research, limitations, and treatment risks associated with DBT.

Outline

DBT Foundations and Fundamentals

• 7 assumptions of DBT to guide practice
• The Biosocial Theory underlying DBT
• Main goals and history as an evidence-based treatment
• Acceptance and change as core principles of DBT
• Balancing acceptance and change strategies
• Navigating and addressing contradictory perspectives
• DBT practice components (individual therapy, skills group, treatment teams, phone coaching)
• The role of validation to build a therapeutic alliance
• Manage Treatment Interfering Behaviors (TIBs)
• Reviewing the 4 modules of DBT
• Research, limitations and treatment risks

DBT Assessment Tools to Determine Clients’ Needs

• Using the SUDs Scale to measure the intensity of emotional distress
• Behavioral Chain Analysis to identify triggers and gain insights into problematic behaviors
• How Diary Cards help you gain a better understanding of patterns
• Using the Emotion Identification Chart to improve emotional awareness

Mindfulness: Transform Clients’ Inner Dialogue, Cultivate Self-Awareness and Build Resilience

• Techniques to challenge and reframe self-critical beliefs
• Accessing and engaging “wise mind” in decision making and problem solving
• Cultivating acceptance and letting go of self-judgment and criticism
• Increasing awareness of judgmental thoughts and attitudes
• One Mindful: fully engage in the present moment without distraction
• Cultivating mindfulness as a tool for reducing impulsivity
• Pocket Mindfulness: brief exercises to manage stress and regulate emotions

Distress Tolerance: Practical Techniques to Manage Distress and Shift Perspectives

• Practical techniques to manage distress in the moment
• Engaging the 5 senses to ground oneself and manage distress
• Making lemonade from lemons - Shifting perspectives and reframing situations
• Tweaking our self-talk/coping thoughts- Changing negative self-talk and developing self compassion
• Radical Acceptance - Learning to accept and tolerate distressing situations without judgment or resistance

Mastering Emotions: Skills for Emotional Awareness, Regulation, and Coping

• Exercises to enhance emotional awareness and recognition
• The connection between emotions and physical sensations
• Opposite action skill to change emotional responses
• Checking the facts skill to challenge emotional assumptions and biases with evidence
• Developing adaptive coping strategies and analyzing behavior patterns

Interpersonal Effectiveness: Skills for Building Positive Connections, Communicating Effectively, and Setting Boundaries

• Identifying strengths and weaknesses in interpersonal effectiveness
• Emotional bank account -strategies to build and maintain positive emotional connections with others
• Using the DEARMAN technique for effective communication
• Assertive skills for saying “No” and setting boundaries
• Identifying and overcoming common barriers to effective interpersonal skills

Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention Using DBT Tools

• Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
• SAFE-T Pocket Card: Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage for Clinicians
• Implementing evidence-based suicide prevention strategies
• Utilizing DBT tools to intervene with individuals at risk of suicide
• Developing a comprehensive safety plan to prevent suicidal behavior
• Providing ongoing support and follow-up care for individuals at risk of suicide

Trauma-Informed Care and Specialized Applications of DBT

• Strategies for creating a trauma-informed environment in DBT
• Adapting DBT skills modules for trauma treatment
• Specific DBT skills exercises for trauma-focused group settings
• Adapting DBT for adolescents
• DBT with clients who have SUD, eating disorders or co-occurring conditions
• Managing therapist burnout and self-care in DBT

Running a DBT Skills Group: A Step-by- Step Guide to Planning, Structuring, and Facilitating Effective Group Sessions

• Goals and objectives of DBT Skills Groups
• Structuring and conducting group sessions
• Tips for managing group dynamics and promoting a positive group culture
• Strategies for dealing with challenging group members and maintaining group cohesion
• How to monitor progress and evaluate outcomes in DBT Skills Group

Case Studies and Demonstrations

• Demonstrative role plays for applying DBT skills in therapy sessions
• Review of case studies and real-life examples of using DBT in clinical practice
• Feedback for improving therapist competency in DBT

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Psychologists
• Psychotherapists
• Social Workers
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Addiction Counselors
• Case Managers
• Mental Health Professionals
• Physicians
• Nurses