Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based type of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) combined with Zen Buddhism that helps students identify negative thinking patterns and gain healthy coping skills.
Although DBT was created to treat those with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), it has also shown success in treating other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
The goal of DBT is to find the middle path, decrease intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and learn effective coping skills for difficult times. DBT focuses on learning skills relevant to the situations people are dealing with to lead a more rewarding life.
This workshop will start participants on their way to utilizing DBT with their clients. Participants will be introduced to the basic tenets of DBT, and discuss the benefits, goals, and requirements for using DBT skills in one’s practice. Participants will learn a handful of DBT skills that can use with clients.
Attendees in this workshop will:
- Achieve an understanding of the benefits of DBT for a wide variety of mental health struggles and conditions
- Learn the structure and tenets of DBT
- Gain practical knowledge of 5-10 DBT skills and how to use them with their clients
- Gain tips for utilizing DBT skills with neurodivergent clients
- Receive guidance on how to further their knowledge of DBT post-workshop
Alicia Paz, MA (she/her) began her professional Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) journey in 2010 when she received her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark Graduate School. Alicia has helped those struggling with mental health issues in prison, jail, outpatient, and community settings. In 2013, Alicia created an online DBT course, the first of its kind to offer all modules for self-paced education and individual skills coaching. In 2020, Alicia expanded by launching a community DBT platform that adds live group sessions to the courses and skills coaching. Alicia also owns and operates the free DBT resource site DBTSelfHelp.com.
Katarina Schultz (they/she) is the Program Manager & DBT Peer Educator for Online DBT Skills. They perform administrative support, manage social media, and co-moderate live sessions. Kat completed a DBT program in 2015, which changed their life. They also wrote the content for the revamp of DBTSelfHelp.com and continue to manage the website. Kat is earning a Master’s in Social Work to be completed by May 2025.
