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New York, New York
Co-Hosted with and Held at Columbia University School of Social Work
In-Person Training
Part 1: August 19-23, 2024
Part 2: January 6-10, 2025
Trainer: Gwen Abney-Cunningham, LMSW and Gloria Seo, LCSW-C
Purpose: DBT Intensive training is a comprehensive team-based program of study designed to provide teams with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide DBT. It serves as the entry point for clinicians to conduct standard DBT.
Content: The course includes the foundational theory, conceptualization, structure, strategies, procedures, and protocols of standard DBT. It assists teams with the clinical work of DBT and the establishment of DBT programs.
Length & Schedule: The length of the course can vary from 6 months to 1 year, and includes 60 hours of instructional time. Participants spend 2 separate weeks in training with instructors for a total of 10 days. The 2 weeks are separated by a minimum of 6 months to a 1 year.
For Whom: Intensive training is intended for teams of mental health providers who are interested in implementing DBT programs with a high level of fidelity to evidence-based models.
Core Training Description
Since its initial development in the 1980s DBT has been shown to be effective for an array of problems related to emotion dysregulation. We know severe emotion regulation difficulties result in persons facing multiple problems across many areas of life and that these problems manifest in a variety of ways. The principles of DBT were specifically designed for cases which often present therapists with novel challenges. One of the benefits of a principle-based treatment is that it can be versatile enough to accommodate the specific situations, cultures, and contexts of the persons it serves. DBT has been studied and implemented in multiple countries across the globe.
DBT Intensive Training focuses on both the establishment of comprehensive DBT programs and the clinical skills necessary to provide the treatment to persons with complex mental health problems. Intensive training in DBT includes 4 hours of content specific to risk assessment, management, and treatment of suicidal behaviors.
The program is divided into 2 main parts that are designed to guide teams to accomplish four phases of DBT program implementation in a single program of study.
Part 1 (Foundational; 30 instructional hours)
Part 2 (Practice Improvement & Sustainability; 30 instructional hours)
In the Knowledge Acquisition segment of Part 1, lectures, demonstrations of treatment, and small group exercises are used to teach DBT theory and strategies in-depth. In the Implementation phase of the training that happens upon conclusion of Part 1, participants consolidate and apply what they have learned with the help of practice assignments that are intended to guide the implementation process. Teams design and begin to implement their own DBT programs or to integrate DBT into an ongoing treatment setting. Based on their work in the implementation phase of the training, each team receives expert consultation on specific cases and on their program in the Practice Improvement & Sustainability segment of Part 2, including protocols for specific treatment problems and adaptations of DBT.
Before reconvening for the final 20 modules of Practice Improvement & Sustainability: Practice in Crisis Intervention
During the implementation (homework) phase of the training, each team meets with one of the trainers to practice crisis intervention according to provided guidelines.
Practice Improvement & Sustainability
Part 2 of DBT Intensive Training involves a series of tasks in the service of implementing DBT programs and clinical work. Structured didactic training shifts primarily to consultation directed at the specific needs of the teams in training while addressing training targets and advanced topics. The Practice Improvement & Sustainability segment focuses on team-based consultation & advanced topics. Each team receives focused consultation from the trainers that is observed by all participants, and each consultation is followed by a discussion among the full group of participants. While the team has an opportunity to have its specific questions addressed by DBT experts, it is expected that the observation and discussion among the whole group will result in sharpening the assessment and intervention skills of all participants, and that vicarious learning will occur that will generalize across teams and programs. Consultations are based on program and team development documents and a case formulation that is prepared by each team. Trainers use the information from these documents, a knowledge exam, and the consultations that occur across Part 2 to assess the needs of trainees and weave advanced topics into the discussions of the consultations. The final module engages teams in a series of exercises designed to solidify their learning and to strategize ways to keep their learning vibrant over time.
This instructor-led program of study consists of 10 days of training, divided into 2 parts of 5 days each, delivered onsite in conjunction with a learning management system (LMS) for a total of 60 instructor-led hours. The typical length of the full course of study is 6 months to 1 year.
Primary Objective:
As a result of this training participants will be able to provide DBT.
Part 1 – Learning Objectives:
Part 2 – Learning Objectives:
Schedule
Part 1: August 19-23, 2024
Part 2: January 6-10, 2025
Days 1-5 (Part 1): 9:00-4:30pm Eastern Time
Days 6-9 (Part 2): 9:00-5:00pm Eastern Time
Day 10 (Part 2): 9:00-3:30pm Eastern Time
Location
Columbia University School of Social Work
1255 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
Materials
In conjunction with the onsite training, participants will be enrolled and given access to the course materials and assignments via the online Thinkific Learning Management System (LMS). Because the LMS will be used in conjunction with training delivered onsite at the training venue, participants are required to bring either their smartphone, iPad/tablet, or laptop in order to complete the daily evaluations and daily quizzes in the LMS.
Printed materials will not be provided.
Kalamazoo, MI (United States)
Gwen Abney-Cunningham, LMSW, is currently a fulltime Behavioral Tech consultant and trainer. Prior to coming to Behavioral Tech full time, she was employed at a community mental health agency for 32 years, in many roles, including; DBT Services Supervisor, Outpatient Services Director, and most recently as Evidenced Based Treatment Director. Gwen received her bachelor’s degree from Hope College and her MSW from Grand Valley State University. She has 30 plus years of professional experience and is a member of one of the first teams in the U.S. to apply DBT within an ACT program. Gwen is intensively trained in DBT and an experienced workshop leader at state, national, and international conferences. Gwen continues to work as a DBT therapist because it is effective and the hope it brings to clients and their families. As a BTECH Trainer and consultant, she is also able to assist many mental health providers in learning the treatment to assist in helping many individuals.
Gwen’s experience in DBT includes individual and skills training for adults, adolescents and families and providing DBT supervision to clinicians. In addition, she has assisted in the development and implementation of DBT on ACT teams and in outpatient settings. Gwen has been involved with the large-scale implementations of DBT in Michigan for Community Mental Health settings. She has been a Behavioral Tech trainer for 20 plus years. Gwen has also served on the Behavioral Tech Trainer Advisory Committee and the Behavioral Tech Implementation Science Workgroup.
Gloria Seo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) and a Board-Certified Supervisor in the state of Maryland. Gloria is a DBT-LBC Certified Clinician. Gloria obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Gloria maintains a private practice in Timonium, Maryland, which offers comprehensive DBT, as well as other evidence-based treatments. Before opening her own practice, Gloria worked at Kennedy Krieger Institute, where she was the coordinator of the DBT program at the Trauma Center. Gloria is active in providing trainings and speaking at conferences on topics related to mental health. She provides trauma and suicide prevention trainings for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Maryland chapter and for the state of Maryland. She is currently an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and teaches advanced level social work students.
Gloria was trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Pre-Adolescent Children (DBT-C) and continues to be mentored and provides trainings with the program developer, Francheska Perepletchikova, Ph.D. Gloria is certified in providing services in Korean through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Gloria also holds certifications in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).
All team members must read the following prior to Part 1:
The course is designed for those who have begun learning DBT from self-guided study of the treatment manuals and introductory workshops. It is intended for teams who are invested in learning DBT to a high standard in order to better implement the treatment in their settings. Since DBT is a treatment that requires an ongoing consultation team, the Intensive Training is designed for treatment teams. It is not designed for individual practitioners intending to practice alone.
A DBT team (minimum of 3, maximum of 8) is a group of mental health professionals who meet at least weekly to assist each other in applying DBT in their practice setting. With the intent to provide the highest quality training experience, it is our goal to have a maximum of eight teams for each DBT Intensive Training. Teams should discuss and clarify their level of commitment prior to completing their application as course enrollment is limited, and there is a competitive demand for this training. It is important that all individuals are committed to working as part of their teams for the full duration of the training course. In addition, all participants must be actively providing DBT to clients by the second part of the course.
Unless specific arrangements have been made with BTECH and the trainers for the event, all participants attending Part 2 (Practice Improvement & Sustainability) must have completed Part 1.
This list includes readings that are required for comprehensive training (Foundational or Intensive) in DBT. Each DBT provider should have a personal copy of the primary texts. Bold text corresponds to the abbreviations for the pertinent readings for each module.
How To Register
Please designate your Team Lead for the purposes of registering your team members and payment of application fee for all team members. Both applications and payments are made as a group. Once the application fees have been submitted, Team Leads should remind all team members to complete their Individual Applications as soon as possible.
How To Apply
Once you pay your application fee, please complete the SurveyMonkey Application.
How Long Will It Take To Apply?
You can review a PDF example of the application first as an indicator of how much time you’ll need to complete it.
Behavioral Tech’s Application Review Process
Tuition Information
Cancellations, Substitutions and Refunds: Due to the comprehensive nature of this training, there are no cancellations or substitutions available. If extenuating circumstances arise that prevent full attendance, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your situation. We will do our best to provide alternative options for completing training curriculum. For a complete list of Behavioral Tech policies and limits of liability, see our Sales & Refund Policy page.
Payment Terms: We accept credit cards (Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express), U.S. checks, and bank transfers. All payments must be in U.S. funds; we are unable to accept foreign checks. Please contact Customer Service at 206.675.8588 or at support@behavioraltech.org for more information about ACH or wire transfer payment options.
Special Accommodations: If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Behavioral Tech at 206.675.8588 four weeks prior to the training so that we may provide you with appropriate service.
IMPORTANT: Two weeks prior to the training, participants will receive an email from our Online Portal (powered by Thinkific) with a sign-in URL for this training. Please follow the instructions in the email to log in to our Online Portal and set your password, ONE week prior to the training.
Participants will retain access to the online course until 1 month after the last training session date. All course requirements must be completed before course access expires.
Please email support@behavioraltech.org if you have any questions about accessing your training.
This offering meets the requirements for the following hours by discipline. Licensing and continuing education requirements vary by state. Please contact your state’s regulatory authority to verify if this course meets your licensing or continuing education requirements. Inquiries regarding CE for other disciplines not listed may be directed to Behavioral Tech at (206) 675-8588 or via email to CE@behavioraltech.org.
Behavioral Tech calculates the continuing education credits for this training by the start time and end time. 100% attendance is required, as is signing IN and OUT each morning and afternoon, to receive CE credits. A majority of CE Boards do not allow partial credits to be issued. Only participants with 100% attendance, and who have completed the Post-Event Evaluations and passed their Final Exams with a score of 75% or higher for both Part 1 and Part 2 will receive credit. Behavioral Tech cannot offer partial credit. Please remember to sign in and sign out each day to document your attendance. Continuing Education documentation will be emailed to you 4-6 weeks after the last day of the Part 2 training.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
Behavioral Tech is approved by NAADAC – the Association for Addiction Professionals, Provider #77431. Behavioral Tech, LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming. You will receive a letter via email documenting your attendance upon successful completion of the activity. The allotted CE hours for this activity = 60.
Mental Health Counselors
Behavioral Tech is approved as a NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP™), ACEP No. 5885. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Behavioral Tech, LLC, is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. Behavioral Tech will email you a letter documenting your attendance upon successful completion of the activity. The allocated clock hours for this activity = 60.
Nurses
Behavioral Tech is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Continuing Medical Education is accepted by the ANCC for nursing certification renewal. The maximum AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ designated by Behavioral Tech for this activity = 60.
Psychiatrists
Behavioral Tech is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The maximum AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ designated by Behavioral Tech for this activity = 60.
Psychologists
Behavioral Tech is approved the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Behavioral Tech maintains responsibility for the program and its content. Behavioral Tech will email you a letter documenting your attendance after successful completion of the program and homework. The number of hours Behavioral Tech has allocated within APA guidelines = 60.
Psychologists – NY
Behavioral Tech is approved by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists, #PSY-0063. Behavioral Tech will email a certificate of attendance upon 100% completion of this activity. The total contact hour allocated for this activity = 60.
Social Workers- WA
Behavioral Tech will apply the NASW, Washington State Chapter, Provider Number 1975-166, to offer continuing education for Certified Social Workers. Behavioral Tech will email a certificate of attendance upon 100% completion of this activity. The hours of CE allocated for this activity = 60.
Social Workers – NY
Behavioral Tech is approved by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers, #0040. Behavioral Tech will email a letter documenting attendance to participants with 100% completion of the program and homework. The hours allocated for this activity = 60.
General CE/CME Disclosures and Policies
Conflict of interest definition: A conflict of interest may be considered to exist if a continuing education course faculty is affiliated with, or has any significant financial interest, in any organization(s) that may have a direct interest in the subject matter of the presentation or may be co-sponsoring or offering financial support to the course. Situations involving a potential conflict of interest are not inherently bad or wrong, but in accordance with standards for continuing medical education we would like you to be aware of the affiliation/financial interest of your instructors.
Faculty Disclaimer: When an unlabelled use of a commercial product, or an investigative use not yet approved for any purpose is discussed during an educational activity, we shall require the speaker to disclose that the product is not labeled for the use under discussion or that the product is still investigative.
Notice of requirements for successful completion: For all trainings (both in-person and remote), participants must attend 100% of the training and complete the Final Evaluation to receive a certificate of successful completion. This includes signing in and out each day/session of the event. For remote, Instructor-led online training, participants have to pass the Post Assessment(s) with a score of 75% or higher.
Commercial support or sponsorship: There is no commercial company support for this CME/CE event.
Noncommercial Sponsor Support: There is no noncommercial sponsor support for this CME/CE activity.
Non-Endorsement of Products: The Behavioral Tech approval status refers only to continuing education activities and does not imply that there is real or implied endorsement of any product, service, or company referred to in this activity nor of any company subsidizing costs related to the activity.
Off-Label Product Use: This CME/CE activity does not include any unannounced information about off-label use of a product for a purpose other than that for which it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships: Faculty members are required to disclose all conflicts of interest and any relevant financial relationships that may affect the training content. Unless specified on Behavioral Tech’s website or on other printed materials/media, none of the individuals in a position to control the content of this CE/CME activity (including planners, editors, CE/CME Review Committee members, faculty presenters, moderators/facilitators, reviewers, etc.) have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
CE Reprint Policy: For missing/lost CE documentation, an administrative fee of $50 is required for all CE/CME activities after 2017. For CE reprints prior to 2017, please refer to the website or contact support@behavioraltech.org. Please refer to the CE FAQ webpage: https://behavioraltech.org/resources/faqs/continuing-education/.
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