Training Description

Primary Objective: As a result of this training participants will be able to implement the principles and procedures of DBT for PTSD.

This 4-day workshop introduces Dialectical Behavior Therapy for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (DBT-PTSD). DBT-PTSD is tailored to treat adult PTSD following interpersonal violence such as childhood sexual abuse, including patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Most of these patients show severe problems in emotion regulation, negative self-concept, dysfunctional memory processing, and maladaptive social interaction. To target these core domains DBT-PTSD merges multiple evidence-based elements: DBT principles, trauma-specific cognitive and exposure-based techniques, compassion-focused interventions, and behavior change procedures. The treatment program is designed to be delivered in a residential program (three-months) or in an outpatient setting (45 weeks). Data from a randomized control trial (RCT) in a residential setting (n = 74; 100% female) indicate that DBT-PTSD is acceptable to clients, does not lead to an exacerbation of suicide attempts or self-harm behavior, and results in reductions in PTSD-related behaviors as well as improvements in self-concept and social interactions. Data from a second multi-center RCT under outpatient conditions (n=200; 100%female) reconfirm the large effect sizes in all relevant domains as well as significant superiority of DBT-PTSD to Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). DBT-PTSD is based on a psycho-social model, where typical dysfunctional behaviors can predominantly be understood as strategies to avoid or escape from trauma-associated primary emotions like powerlessness, threat, anxiety, disgust, humiliation, or sexual arousal. Corroborated by dysfunctional cognitive assumptions, dysfunctional behaviors such as self-injury, suicidal ideation, dissociation, or intoxication and problematic secondary emotions such as shame, guilt, self-hatred, or chronic anger, develop over time into problematic self-concepts which strongly impair quality of life. DBT-PTSD primarily aims to help patients a) revise their fear of trauma-associated primary emotions, b) question whether secondary emotions like guilt and shame fit the facts, and c) radically accept the fact of trauma in their lives in order to establish a life worth living.

The workshop covers the prerequisites, treatment targets, and structure of the treatment; and basic principles and rules. It covers the treatment modules of emotion regulation skills, mindfulness group therapy, discrimination training, cognitive interventions, and skills-assisted exposure. Teaching methods include slide-based presentation, video examples of master clinicians, demonstrations of treatment, and practice.

Participants will complete 8 consultation calls with subject matter experts in DBT for Complex PTSD after the workshop. These will occur in groups over the course of 3 months on a weekly schedule.

The workshop is intended for mental health professionals interested in treating complex PTSD using evidence-based principles and procedures. Basic knowledge of DBT is required.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the basic psychosocial and neurobehavioral principles of complex PTSD.
2. Implement the principles of DBT-PTSD.
3. Structure treatment for complex PTSD.
4. Explain the major therapeutic interventions of DBT-PTSD.
5. Describe value-based motivation.
6. Anticipate relationship problems persons with complex PTSD may experience with significant others.
7. Develop an individualized trauma model.
8. Teach skills for dissociation, distress tolerance, and regulation of trauma-related emotions.
9. Conduct in-sensu exposure.
10. Coach patients in radical acceptance of traumatic experience.
11. Facilitate patients experiencing life as worth living after trauma.
12. Work with maladaptive dysfunctional cognitions

Schedule

Day 1    

8:00 – 8:30           Registration, Sign-in

8:30 – 10:15         Introduction and Rationale

10:15 – 10:30      Break

10:30 – 12:00      Research Data

12:00 – 1:00         Lunch

1:00 – 2:15           Principles and Rules 1

2:15 – 2:30           Break

2:30 – 3:45           Principles and Rules 2

3:45 – 4:00           Break

4:00 – 4:50           Pre-treatment Phase

4:50 – 5:00           Q & A, Evaluation, and Sign-out

Day 2    

8:00 – 8:30           Sign-in

8:30 – 10:15         Mindfulness / Compassion

10:15 – 10:30      Break

10:30 – 12:00      Significant Others

12:00 – 1:00         Lunch

1:00 – 2:15           Trauma Model

2:15 – 2:30           Break

2:30 – 3:45           SMART Goals

3:45 – 4:00           Break

4:00 – 4:50           The Old and the New Path

4:50 – 5:00           Q & A, Evaluation, and Sign-out

Day 3    

8:00 – 8:30           Sign-in

8:30 – 10:15         Anti-dissociative Skills

10:15 – 10:30      Break

10:30 – 12:00      Emotion Regulation

12:00 – 1:00         Lunch

1:00 – 2:15           Preparing Exposure

2:15 – 2:30           Break

2:30 – 3:45           Exposure I

3:45 – 4:00           Break

4:00 – 4:50           Exposure II

4:50 – 5:00           Q & A, Evaluation, and Sign-out

Day 4    

8:00 – 8:30           Sign-in

8:30 – 10:15         Compassionate Exposure

10:15 – 10:30      Break

10:30 – 12:00      Radical Acceptance of the Past

12:00 – 1:00         Lunch

1:00 – 2:15           Grief

2:15 – 2:30           Break

2:30 – 3:45           Regain Your Life

3:45 – 4:00           Break

4:00 – 4:50           Relapse Reduction

4:50 – 5:00           Q & A, Evaluation, and Sign-out

Trainers

Attend

Early Bird Registration Discount: $1,895 USD
– Register by December 1, 2019

Standard Registration: $2,095 USD
– Registered after December 1, 2019

Please contact us at info@behavioraltech.org if you have any questions about enrollment.

Behavioral Tech, LLC is not responsible for any presenter’s or participant’s statements, acts, materials or omissions. The use of audio or video taping devices is not permitted at any training. We reserve the right to cancel the training or to change the speakers and content at our sole discretion.

Cancellation, Substitutions, and Refunds

Registration fees, minus a $50 service charge, will be refunded to participants who send a written cancellation via mail to Behavioral Tech or via email to info@behavioraltech.org postmarked no less than 15 days before the training. No refunds will be made thereafter. A colleague may be substituted for no extra charge if Behavioral Tech, LLC is notified at least two business days before the training. For a complete list of Behavioral Tech policies, including how to address grievances, see policies.

Seat Availability for Onsite Events

The number of seats for our open-enrollment workshops and our application-based trainings is limited by the physical training space that is reserved for the event. Please complete your registration or submit your application at your earliest convenience, as we will not guarantee a seat for you until we have received your registration or tuition payment.

Special Accommodations

If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Behavioral Tech at 206.675.8588 eight weeks prior to the training so that we may provide you with appropriate service.

Technical Requirements

Co-hosted by: The Camden Center

Training Location:
Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, California 90402

Continuing Education

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 support@behavioraltech.org. For general CE questions, you can also view our continuing education FAQs.

CE NOTE: Behavioral Tech calculates the continuing education credits for this training by the start time and end time. 100 percent attendance is required, as is signing IN and OUT each morning and afternoon, to receive CE credits. Partial credits cannot be issued.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors

Behavioral Tech will apply to the NAADAC – the Association for Addiction Professionals, Provider #77431. You will receive a letter via email documenting your attendance upon successful completion of the activity. The allotted contact hours for this activity = 27.

Mental Health Counselors

Behavioral Tech is approved by 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 = 27.

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 = 27.

At the end of the training, each Nurse must complete and sign the provided form to record the number of credits claimed. Keep one copy & return the other copy to Behavioral Tech.

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 = 27.

At the end of the training, each Physician must complete and sign the provided form to record the number of credits claimed. Keep one copy & return the other copy to Behavioral Tech.

Psychologists

Behavioral Tech is approved by 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 = 27.

Social Workers- WA

Behavioral Tech will apply to 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 = 27

Social Workers – NY

Behavioral Tech is approved recognized 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 = 27.