Dialectical Behaviour Therapy: Part A

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an effective treatment for borderline personality disorder, suicide, para-suicide and self-harm. The treatment results in decreased suicidal and other self harm behaviour, improvement in global functioning, better retention in therapy, as well as a reduction in hospital admissions and length of hospital stay. DBT has been effectively adapted for use with adolescents, alcohol and other drug disorders and some eating disorders.

Introduction to DBT is a four day course divided into two parts. Part A: provides an overview of the DBT approach including the theory, philosophy, assumptions, structure and therapeutic stance. It also provides an introduction to specific skills and strategies utilised within DBT including:

• Working with assumptions-helping you to stay in the relationship
• Dialectical strategies-searching for balance- acceptance with change
• Validation strategies-noticing the kernel of truth
• Commitment strategies-eliciting committed behaviour
• Mindfulness skills-being in the moment to enhance effective choices
• Emotion Regulation -identifying, understanding and being able to change emotional responses

The objective of Intro to DBT-Part A is for participants to:

• Increase knowledge of the philosophy and structure of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and the Biosocial Theory of borderline personality disorder
• Understand suicidal, self harming and other behaviours related to emotional dysregulation, from a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy perspective
• Understand the DBT model of emotions and use this to validate, formulate and change responses resulting from emotion dysregulation

Who should attend?

Individuals, counsellors, health care practitioners working with clients who self-harm or engage in high risk behaviours related to emotion dysregulation