Adapting Your DBT Programme for Adolescents, Involving Carers in DBT-A

Course Description

Working with suicidal adolescents who present with multiple, complex challenges can often feel overwhelming. Building on the success of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for adults, DBT for Adolescents (DBT-A) incorporates carers into the treatment process to enhance outcomes. This 2-day workshop is designed for teams either starting DBT-A, looking to include carers in their existing programme, or aiming to enhance their knowledge of carer inclusion in DBT-A. This workshop is designed to be interactive, with opportunities for practice, discussion, and personalized feedback to help participants build confidence in integrating carers into DBT-A. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your DBT-A programme and empower families to support their adolescent’s journey to recovery.

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is ideal for teams who are:

• Ready to implement DBT-A in their service.
• Running an existing DBT-A programme and seeking to include carers in the process.
• Interested in expanding their skills and knowledge in integrating carers into their DBT-A programme.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Understand how to engage carers using the biosocial theory of DBT, and effectively teach this theory to carers.
• Develop strategies to gain commitment from carers and keep them engaged throughout treatment.
• Learn the structure of multi-family DBT skills training and how to facilitate it in practice.
• Master the art of teaching dialectical dilemmas specific to adolescents and their families, connecting them to therapeutic targets in individual DBT sessions.
• Gain practical skills in setting up and conducting family sessions, including building family behavioural chains and finding solutions.
• Learn to manage communication outside of therapy sessions, such as phone calls, emails, and texts, to coach families in real-time.
• Receive tailored consultation on programme development and address individual questions submitted in advance.

Prerequisites

Participants must meet the following prerequisites:

• Previous training in standard DBT, at least at the Foundation level. Or:
• Training in essential DBT skills with involvement in programmes that deliver skills-only components.
Note: Prior knowledge of standard DBT and DBT skills will be assumed and will not be covered during this workshop.

Trainers

Dr Carolyn Hinds Senior Trainer

Dr Stephanie Hastings Trainer

Supporting Materials

Participants are required to have access to the following manual during the training: Rathus, J. H. & Miller, A.L. (2015). DBT Skills Manual for Adolescents. New York: The Guilford Press. This comprehensive guide will support the principles and techniques explored during the workshop, offering a structured framework for participants to implement DBT-A with carers effectively.