Adapting DBT Programmes for Dysregulated & Suicidal Teens™

Course Description

Mental health professionals working with suicidal adolescents with multiple problems are often stymied by complex clinical presentations and challenges that arise during treatment. Learn how to apply comprehensive DBT to engage and retain clients drawn from an adolescent population. The training covers how to convey the biosocial theory of DBT to adolescents and families, describe dialectical dilemmas relevant to adolescents and families, and structure and run multi-family skills training groups. The workshop is particularly appropriate for experienced individual psychotherapists with solid familiarity with DBT. Participants will advance their ability in specific principles and strategies relevant to skills training and coaching with adolescents and families, individual therapy, family sessions, and managing communication and coaching outside of session (e.g. phone calls, emails and texts). Specific attention will be paid to teaching adolescents and families the skills of dialectics, validation, and behaviour change (the “Middle Path”).

Prerequisites

• Have experience and/or training in DBT
• Work with teens and families in a wide range of treatment contexts
• Want to advance their ability to adapt DBT for use with adolescents.

Trainers

Dr Carolyn Hinds Senior Trainer

Dr Stephanie Hastings Trainer