Classes

Fall 2024 – Intro to DBT course (via Zoom)

The DBT Centre of Vancouver is pleased to offer a 12-week course to mental health professionals seeking to learn about Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). The most widely researched treatment for problems characteristic of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT is a comprehensive psychological treatment that assists persons struggling with complex problems, including recurrent suicidality, self-harm, and problems with emotion regulation.

Presented by: Alex Chapman, Ph.D., R.Psych., & John Wagner, Ph.D., R.Psych.
Date: Monday, September 9 – Monday, December 16, 2024

No classes:

• September 30, 2024 (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)
• October 14, 2024 (Thanksgiving)
• November 11, 2024 (Remembrance Day)

Time: Mondays, 2pm – 5pm PST (3pm-6pm MST / 5pm-8pm EST)
Duration: 12 weeks (36 hours)
Location:  Held live via Zoom for Healthcare

 

This course, offered as part of an ongoing consultation and training program at the DBT Centre, covers all aspects of DBT including individual therapy, skills training, telephone consultation, and consultation teams. The teaching methods include didactics, demonstration/practice, audio and video review, and worksheets. Participants will be assigned weekly readings and between-class activities. Among the topics to be covered are:

• • Research on BPD & DBT
  • Dialectical Theory and Strategies
  • Commitment Strategies
  • Suicidal Risk Assessment and Intervention
  • Chain Analysis and Problem-Solving
  • Using Reciprocity and Irreverence
  • Managing Telephone Consultation
  • Applying Change Strategies in DBT: Solution Analysis, Cognitive Modification, Contingency Management, Exposure, & Skills Generalization
  • Skills Training in DBT: Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance, & Interpersonal Effectiveness
  • Case Management & Consultation Teams

Key learning objectives

Our hope is that clinicians completing the course will improve their clinical armamentarium, increase their skills in treating multi- problem clients, and start to use practical, principle-based strategies to manage challenging clinical situations. By the conclusion of the course, our aim is for participants to be able to:

• • Describe the theoretical foundations of DBT.
  • Use the theory underlying DBT as a guide for practice.
  • Describe the main functions and components of DBT.
  • Use the DBT target hierarchy to organize treatment targets.
  • Begin to use chain analysis to assess target behaviours.
  • Begin to use core DBT change-oriented strategies (e.g., structuring therapy, problem solving, skills training).
  • Begin to use core DBT acceptance-oriented strategies (e.g., validation, acceptance-oriented skills and strategies)
  • Begin to incorporate DBT skills and skills training strategies into their clinical practice, whether this is through formal skills groups or ad-hoc use of DBT skills in therapy sessions

Syllabus

A detailed syllabus can be downloaded here.

Instructors

Dr. Alex Chapman, R.Psych. is the President of the DBT Centre of Vancouver and a Professor and Coordinator of the Clinical Science area in the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Full bio here.

 

 

 

Dr. John Wagner, R.Psych., is a Registered Psychologist, Director of the DBT Centre of Vancouver, and an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia. He regularly provides consultation and training to area providers. Full bio here.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I work as a sole practitioner and would like to provide DBT to my BPD clients; can I do that after this course?

Most clinicians will find themselves feeling better equipped to provide elements of DBT after the course. Some clinicians will wish to develop or be part of a full, standard DBT program (e.g. Comprehensive DBT), for which this course provides excellent preparation. Others might wish to simply inform their practice with certain DBT strategies or skills, for which this course will prove useful as well.

2. Would I be able to start/lead DBT groups after this course?

The course covers the core DBT skills as well as the structure and format of a DBT skills group. Running DBT skills groups requires foundational training in DBT principles and strategies, which this course also offers. Clinicians might find themselves ready to run a group after the course, or they might wish to seek further training or supervision/consultation.

3. I work in a group practice and we would like to start a DBT program; could we do this after this course?

Starting a DBT program requires a few key tasks. First, clinicians must develop foundational knowledge in the core principles, strategies, and skills of DBT. Our aim is for this course to provide such knowledge. Second, clinicians need to know how to piece together a DBT team, develop a mission and goals for their program, determine who their program will serve, solve logistical or financial barriers to starting a program, develop a sustainability plan, and so forth. While this course does not focus on program development, Drs. Chapman and Wagner have experience helping large systems develop DBT programs. Should you be interested in consultation, training, or guidance in how to do this, please contact us at info@dbtvancouver.com.

4. I’m not seeing any clients right now (I’m on sabbatical/maternity leave/not currently working, etc); is it appropriate for me to take this course?

Yes, we have had several clinicians in this position take the course and still find it valuable for their practice. The course has practical homework exercises that can often be used with clients, but some of these can be done with a colleague or family member (with their permission).

5. My clients/patients don’t have borderline personality disorder but do struggle with self-harm and chronic suicidality; would this course be appropriate?

Yes, this course would be a very good fit. DBT is not just for people with borderline personality disorder and can be particularly effective in addressing suicidality.

6. What is the difference between this course and the DBT skills workshop?

The DBT skills workshop focuses on the core skills generally taught in DBT skills groups and includes some training in how to run a DBT group, along with some key theoretical and practical elements of DBT. This course is broader, covering the theory and practice of individual DBT, group DBT skills training, and telephone consultation (phone coaching) in DBT, among many other topics.

7. Does this course lead to certification?

This course can be used to satisfy some of the requirements to apply for certification. For further information on DBT certification, please see the following website: https://dbt-lbc.org

8. How much reading and studying is involved?

Each week, we typically assign 2-4 chapters of reading, along with a couple of practice exercises to complete either alone (e.g., mindfulness) or with clients (practice of DBT strategies).

9. Are there any exams or papers that I need to write?

Not at present.

10. Is there a level 2 of this course? What is the next step after the Intro?

We are currently developing ideas for next steps following this course and will post them on our website when we’re ready.

11. I took the DBT skills workshop already—does this course cover the same material?

If you mean you took the 3-day DBT skills workshop that we have frequently offered in the summer, please see response above.

12. Will I receive a certificate at the end of the course?

Participants will receive a letter of attendance confirming the number of credits awarded (3 credits per class). The number of CE (continuing education) hours awarded are based on the hours attended.

13. I know I’m going to be away for 2 weeks; can I still take the course? Can I access recordings of the lectures?

Recordings of lectures will not be available. If you are not able to attend a lecture, you will still receive a copy of the slides; however, the number of CE credits will be reduced. The number of CE hours awarded are based on the hours attended. If you know you will be away for more than one lecture, we recommend waiting until the next course starts. We typically run the Intro to DBT course in the fall and often in the spring.

14. What is your cancellation policy for the course?

We will provide refunds up to 6 days prior to the start of the course. Refunds are subject to a $150 administrative fee. Refunds will not be provided after September 2, 2024.

15. Can I claim this training on my income taxes?

Fees for this training are not eligible for a tax credit; as such we are not able to issue a T2202 Tuition and Enrolment Certificate.

Attendance

All classes will be provided live through Zoom. Attendance is mandatory and classes cannot be made up at a later time. If participants are not able to make a class, recordings of lectures will not be available. We recommend participants defer registration if they know they will be away for more than one class. Participants are expected to log on through a secure wi-fi connection with access to a microphone and camera and work in a private office or room.

Continuing Education Credits

The DBT Centre of Vancouver is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) to offer continuing education for psychologists and maintains responsibility for the program. Participants who complete the course are eligible for a total of 36 continuing education (CE) credits. At the end of the course, participants will receive a letter of attendance confirming the number of credits awarded (3 credits per class). The number of CE credit hours awarded are based on the hours attended.

The CPA’s approval of an individual, group, or organization as a CE Sponsor or Provider is restricted to the activities described in the approved application or annual report form. The CPA’s approval does not extend to any other CE activity the Sponsor or Provider might offer. In granting its approval, the CPA assumes no legal or financial obligations to Sponsors, Providers, or to those individuals who might participate in a Sponsor or Provider’s CE activities or programs. Further, responsibility for the content, provision, and delivery of any CE activity approved by the CPA remains that of the CE Sponsor or Provider. The CPA disclaims all legal liability associated with the content, provision, and delivery of the approved CE activity.

Required Reading

Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder
by Marsha Linehan – May 1993
(ISBN-10: 0898621836, ISBN-13: 978-0898621839)

DBT Skills Training Manual, Second Edition
by Marsha Linehan – Oct 2014
(ISBN-10: 1462516998, ISBN-13: 978-1462516995)

Who Can Register

As this course is one aspect of ongoing training for other clinicians at the DBT Centre, space is limited. Registration will be closed once space has been filled. Mental health professionals (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counsellors, nurses, etc.) working in the public and private sector seeking to gain a better understanding of DBT and useful clinical tools to use in practice are encouraged to register. Due to the level of training in this course, registrants must have at least a Master’s degree in a mental health related field (or be working towards such a degree).

Cancellation Policy

DBTCV will provide a refund (minus $150 administrative fee) up to 6 days prior to the start of the session. Refunds will not be provided after September 2, 2024 .