Adapting Your DBT Programme for Substance Use Disorders™

Course Description

This advanced workshop covers the modifications made when applying Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to clients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and co-morbid Substance Use disorders.  Participants will learn how DBT, when applied to populations with co-morbid substance use disorders, differs from standard DBT for BPD clients. The workshop will cover differences in: DBT targeting, the new skills developed specifically for clients with Substance Abuse, how to engage clients in therapy at the beginning of treatment, and strategies for not losing clients during treatment.

This workshop is intended for those who have attended a minimum of a two day DBT skills training or have a good working knowledge of DBT. This workshop will assume attendees have an understanding of the theoretical and practical application of standard DBT.

Training Objectives

• Describe major findings from research on DBT for clients with substance use disorders.
• List the principles to consider in determining for whom DBT-SUD is appropriate.
• Describe the strategies used in the first sessions of DBT for persons with substance use disorders.
• Define Dialectical Abstinence in DBT with clients with substance use disorders.
• List the specific treatment targets for persons with BPD and substance use disorders.
• Define how DBT-SUD uses chain and task analyses to move clients with substance use disorders toward their goals.
• Describe the skills added to standard DBT for clients with substance use disorders.
• List the attachment strategies for persons with substance use disorders.
• Describe the principles involving families in DBT with substance use disorders.

Prerequisites

Must be actively using DBT in their workplace

Must have completed one of the following courses; DBT Skills Training: Essentials™, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Intensive Training™ OR Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Foundational Training™.

Trainers