National Psychology Training Consortium

Introductory --- Designed for psychologists who may have little to no background in a specialized skill or content area. The learner can become acquainted with the theoretical underpinnings, principles, methods, and perspectives of a content area. Although it can be used as a foundation for more advanced learning, a program may simply focus on breadth, enrichment or general knowledge.

Course Description and Target Audience

This presentation is designed to give an overview of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a multifaceted treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and other disorders of emotion regulation. The presentation starts with an overview of the development and theoretical underpinnings of DBT, which includes how BPD is conceptualized in DBT. This leads into discussion of the "dialectical dilemmas" that appear in treating BPD and how they are addressed in DBT. An overview of the domains of DBT skills is provided, including definitions and examples of skills contained within each domain. The four key treatment components are discussed as well. Some contemporary literature on DBT from a DEI perspective is incorporated into the presentation, commenting on what DBT has (and hasn't) addressed in this area.

This presentation is for clinicians who want to know more about DBT, or who work with individuals with severe emotion dysregulation or personality pathology.

Most information in the presentation is based on the original book on DBT by Dr. Marsha Linehan, or the updated DBT Skills Manual (Second Edition) also by Dr. Linehan. Other information is gathered from peer-reviewed journal articles from reputable journals. Limitations include the fact that little has been done to generalize DBT research to populations other than white, cis-gender females. Much of the language used in the original 1993 book has not been updated. While this is still considered the seminal work on the topic, it contains language that many would consider outdated (e.g., referring to all individuals with BPD using "she/her" pronouns, referring to individuals with BPD as "borderlines"). Topic matter includes discussion of trauma, suicidality, self-harm, substance use, and disordered eating. Attendees may experience some discomfort during discussion of these areas.

Diversity and diverse identities, and their exclusion from research on DBT, is discussed during the presentation. Some cultural adaptations of DBT are also discussed in the context of the systemic exclusion of minoritized individuals from clinical research, as well as limitations of external validity that result.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to describe theoretical underpinnings of DBT.
• Participants will be able to name and discuss the four key skills domains of DBT.
• Participants will be able to assess and explain similarities and differences between DBT and other therapeutic modalities.
• Participants will be able to identify strengths and limitations of DBT.

Presenter Information

Rob Doss is a clinical psychologist and NPTC alum practicing in Iowa at Central Iowa Family Institute. They are a generalist who practices individual therapy, group therapy, and psychological evaluations. While they consider themselves to be an integrative psychotherapist, they primarily utilize DBT-based methods to increase emotion regulation efforts. They worked on a comprehensive DBT team for two and a half years, one year of which they acted as the team lead. Regarding assessment, they primarily serve individuals with diagnostic questions pertaining to ADHD, autism, and personality disorders.  

Live Training Format

Attendance for this live training will be tracked by attendees completing the following tasks:

• Attend the live training in full and review all provided documents in their entirety.
• The Live CE Training Evaluation will be provided to all attendees. Please be sure to complete this evaluation in addition to attending the training.
• Downloading the CE Certificate.
   

CE Certificate

This course includes the materials required to obtain a CE Certificate. Your certificate will be made available to you upon completion of the training course. 

Questions or Concerns?

Contact [email protected] for assistance.

National Psychology Training Consortium (NPTC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NPTC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.