An Introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT was founded in 1993 by Marsha Linehan, initially known as CBT for Borderline disorder.  DBT consists of a series of skills and techniques for working with personality disorders and other areas.  Many people want to familiarise themselves with these skills without necessarily becoming a DBT therapist exclusively, and the introduction course is ideal if you are thinking of taking the first step in becoming a DBT therapist or if you would like to have a better understanding of the concept before referring clients or employees to a DBT service.  The programme can be delivered live on Zoom to groups or organisations.

Suitable for:

  • Professionals who see clients in 1 to 1 sessions and wish to add DBT techniques to their set of skills.
  • People or teams working in inpatient or community settings.
  • Mental health/psychiatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, probation officers, people working in HR or Occupational Health departments.
  • Carers for people with mental health issues.

Members of The Psychological Society of Ireland and The Addiction Counsellors of Ireland can earn learning credits/CPD points for completing this workshop. 

Programme Duration

One day

Programme Content

  • Validation, the implication of invalidating environments for a child, and for the adult. Using validating responses in the therapeutic environment.
  • The use of Metaphors,
  • Problem solving strategy.
  • Contingency management.
  • Emotion-regulation.
  • Interpersonal effectiveness.
  • Mindfulness
  • Distress tolerance.
  • Walking the Middle Path.
  • The role of the face to face sessions and group sessions.

Learning Outcomes

  • Gaining an understanding of DBT.
  • The ability to create validating environments.
  • The ability to validate other people in an easy way.
  • The ability to give people different perspectives in a fast way.
  • The ability to help people to solve problems rather than dwell on them.
  • The ability to respond to very severe behaviours in a caring way without reinforcing the severe behaviour.
  • The ability to help people to bring some sense of order and predictability to emotions.
  • The ability to help people tolerating distress.

Connect with Your Trainer

The Learning Curve Institute will distribute a unique pre-course questionnaire to each participant in order to ensure the training meets the needs of everyone in the room and is tailored to the appropriate level while also covering specific situations or scenarios as highlighted by the group.

The Learning Curve Institute offers a unique post course support system whereby participants are provided with the contact details of the trainer and are free to contact them with any questions they may have.

Programme Certification

All attendees will receive an eCertificate of Completion in An Introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy from The Learning Curve Institute.

Tailoring the training content

As all of our training is bespoke, we will consult you prior to delivery. A review of current practice within your organisation is offered and we aim to build a programme which meets any identified needs.

The Learning Curve Institute also offers a bespoke post-course support system whereby participants are provided with the contact details of the trainer and can contact them with questions they may have at any point subsequent to the training day.