Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a treatment designed specifically for individuals with self-harm behaviors, such as self-cutting, suicide thoughts, urges to suicide, and suicide attempts. Come learn about a comprehensive model for working effectively with clients who present in overwhelming distress – and in a way that supports client and therapist alike.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment that brings together cognitive-behavioral strategies and acceptance-validation strategies to help individuals with intense emotional suffering and dysfunctional behaviors make radical changes toward a “life worth living.” DBT, originally developed to treat chronically suicidal individuals suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, has been found to be effective in reducing suicidal behavior, psychiatric hospitalization, and treatment dropout, as well as in treating substance abuse, disordered eating, anger, depression, anxiety, and interpersonal difficulties. DBT assumes that people are doing the best that they can, but either are lacking the skills or are influenced by positive or negative reinforcement that interfere with functioning. As a comprehensive treatment, DBT can:

• Decrease the frequency and severity of self-destructive behaviors.
• Increase the motivation to change by providing positive reinforcement.
• Teach new “coping skills” that generalize to a person’s natural environment.
• Provide a treatment environment that emphasizes the strengths of both individuals and their treatments.
• Enhance the therapist’s motivation and ability to treat his/her clients effectively.

The approach includes a well-articulated theory, protocol, and strategies that allow for genuine and deliberate therapeutic collaboration. It also includes a specific psycho-educational component, typically taught in group format and reinforced in individual therapy, that allows clients to learn and apply adaptive skills in their lives. For more information on DBT, including references on DBT, visit Marsha Linehan’s Behavioral Tech.  You can see recommended books on DBT on the TARA website.

2 Opportunities to learn about Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – 9 hours total

Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building, Auditorium, 325 Pittsboro Street, UNC School of Social Work, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Session 1: Introduction to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (3.5 hours) – Friday, September 18, 2015, 1:00-5:00 pm  || SLIDES|| printable Handouts|| diary card || behavior chain analysis || states of mind tracking sheet  || resource list

In this workshop, Dr. Kristi Webb will provide an introduction to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. This includes the theoretical foundations of DBT, the bio-social theory of emotional dysregulation, and the stages, goals, and strategies of DBT treatment. Weaving together didactic, experiential exercises, and case material, Dr. Webb will elucidate the process of working “dialectically” through the synthesis of acceptance strategies (mindfulness and validation) with key behavioral strategies (contingency management, skills training, exposure, and cognitive modification) that underpin this model. Participants will also become familiar with diary cards, behavior chain analysis, skills coaching phone calls, and the role of consultation teams in supporting this approach.

Schedule: Workshop will begin promptly at 1 pm, and will include two 15-minute breaks.

Learning Objectives. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to

1. Articulate the bio-social theory of Borderline Personality Disorder development
2. Explain at least one validation (acceptance) strategy
3. Explain at least one dialectical (change) strategy
4. Understand the five components of the DBT protocol and how they work together for the benefit of the therapeutic dyad

Session 2: DBT Skills (6 hours) – Friday, September 25, 2015, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm || printable Handouts || Slides || diary card || states of mind tracking sheet  || resource list

In this highly experiential workshop, participants will learn and practice skills from the four DBT skill modules: core mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. The specific goals of the DBT skills are to develop coping skills to identify and manage strong emotions and urges, reduce impulsivity, enhance assertiveness and effective communication, decrease interpersonal chaos, confusion about self, and cognitive dysregulation, and enhance quality-of-life. Dr. Webb will teach the skills as well as describe the guidelines, structure, and approach used in co-facilitating skills groups work as part of treatment.

Schedule: Workshop will begin promptly at 9 am, and will include two 15-minute breaks, and 1 hour lunch break. (Participants can sign up for catered lunch buffet ($10) or arrange for their own lunch foods.)

Learning Objectives. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to….

1. Explain the goal of the Core Mindfulness module and teach one of its skills
2. Explain the goal of the Interpersonal Effectiveness module and teach one of its skills
3. Explain the goal of the Emotion Regulation module and teach one of its skills
4. Explain the goal of the Distress Tolerance module and teach one of its skills
5. Understand the role of the individual therapist vis a vis the skills group
6. Identify patient populations that are most appropriate for DBT treatment

Trainer:

Kristi Webb, PsyD., is a licensed psychologist in private practice who specializes in depression, anxiety, and trauma and its sequelae, including substance abuse, dissociation, and self-harming behaviors. She has had advanced training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and has been working as a DBT therapist with individual clients and co-leading weekly skills groups for 15 years.  She is also an Archetypal Pattern Analyst. Prior to working in private practice, Dr. Webb worked in a variety of treatment settings, including inpatient psychiatry, psychiatric emergency services, community mental health, substance abuse treatment, eating disorders day treatment, and a Veterans’ Administration Hospital. She taught psychology for several years in Vermont, New Hampshire, and North Carolina, and is a frequent presenter in on mental health topics. She is recognized by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and is a member of the North Carolina Psychology Association and active on its Colleague Assistance Committee.

CREDITS:

Session 1 (Intro) will provide 3.5  Contact Hours from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Social Work.

3.5 Contact Hours from UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work.

3.5 Contact Hours NBCC (provider #6642) The UNC School of Social Work is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program.  

The program is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Psychological Association and the UNC School of Social Work. The North Carolina Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The North Carolina Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program is offered for 3.5 hours of continuing education credit.

Session 2 (Skills) will provide 6  Contact Hours from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Social Work.

6 Contact Hours from UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work.

6 Contact Hours NBCC (provider #6642) The UNC School of Social Work is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program.  

The program is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Psychological Association and the UNC School of Social Work. The North Carolina Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The North Carolina Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program is offered for 5.5 hours of continuing education credit.

Total CEU for both programs = 9.5

Registration Fees:

* eligible for SSW Discount = current UNC School of Social Work students, faculty, field instructors, and task supervisors

** additional $6 fee for Category A credit from NCPA for each program (paid day of each program)

Fees are for instruction and administrative costs, certificate of completion, program materials.

scholarships available.

Register here

Transportation/Directions: The most reliable place to park is in the UNC Hospital lot on Manning Drive. Parking fee is $1.25/ hour. There are also numerous “park & ride” locations in Chapel Hill, with free bus service to (or near) the School of Social Work. Directions.

Payment and refund policies A refund of 70% of the paid registration fee will be available for written cancellation request is received 48 hours prior to the program date. Or, you apply full credit towards a subsequent program or send a substitute in your place. To arrange for any of these options, please contact Deborah Barrett.

 Attendance Policy: To receive NCPA credit, you must be present for the entire session, and you must sign the sign-in and sign-out sheets. No credit will be given to participants who are more than 15 minutes late at the beginning of any session. No credit will be given to participants who leave before the close of a session.