Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Complex PTSD

Course Description

This course provides comprehensive training in DBT-PTSD including a full set of the Patients-Manual.

DBT-PTSD is a modular program, developed by Martin Bohus, in close cooperation with M. Linehan. The program is specifically tailored to treat the sequelae of sexual and/or physical traumata during childhood and adolescence. Complex PTSD is characterized by dysfunctional memory processing (e.g. intrusions and flashbacks), severe problems in affect regulation (e.g. intense and maladaptive emotions), negative self-concept (e.g. guilt, shame, and self-hate), problems in social interaction (e.g. mistrust, alienation) and often complex dysfunctional behavioral patterns like self-harm, suicide attempts or aggressive outbursts.

To target these core domains, DBT-PTSD merges evidence-based therapeutic strategies: principles and Skills of DBT, trauma-specific cognitive and exposure-based techniques, compassion-focused interventions, and behavior change procedures. The treatment program is designed to be delivered as a residential program (three months) or in an outpatient setting (45 weeks).

Data from two large RCTs reveal large effect sizes in all relevant domains as well as significant superiority of DBT-PTSD to Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Accordingly, DBT-PTSD has currently the best scientific evidence for the effective treatment of complex PTSD.

This DBT-PTSD training course aims to help mental health clinicians to work with clients, suffering from complex PTSD (with or without BPD):

1. To increase their motivation and courage to heal
2. To revise their fear of trauma-associated primary emotions like pain, fear, powerlessness and disgust,
3. To revise secondary emotions like guilt and shame
4. To enhance their capability for compassion towards self and others
5. To radically accept the traumatic experiences of the past
6. To develop a life worth living

At the conclusion of this training you’ll be able to:

• Describe the basic psychosocial and neurobehavioral principles of complex PTSD
• Implement the principles of DBT-PTSD within your clinical practice
• Develop an individualized trauma model
• Teach your client skills for dissociation, distress tolerance, and regulation of trauma-related emotions
• Conduct in-sensu exposure
• Help your clients to create a life worth living.

Prerequisites

Some prior knowledge of DBT is preferred.

Trainers

Prof Martin Bohus Professor of Psychosomatic and Psychotherapy