These workshops offer 12 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

The Four Modules of Dialectical Behavior Therapy

This is a 12 session, 12 hour class.

Classes are all scheduled for Thursday Mornings

May 1st - July 17th, 2025

8:30 AM EST - 9:30 AM EST.

The training will discuss the use of validation and dialectics to help move clients towards change. Six levels of validation will be discussed, and the use of each will be described. The four modules of DBT: Mindfulness, Distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness will be discussed. The use of these modules to reduce problematic behavior through anticipation and adaptive skills will be described in depth. Examples from real life situations will be provided, to help participants incorporate these skills to their practice
 

DBT training course outline

Session 1 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST

• • 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST History of DBT
  • The development of DBT from its original title of CBT for borderline personality disorder (BPD) will be discussed.
  • The limitations of CBT in treating borderline personality disorder will be discussed.
  • The way that DBT addresses the limitations of CBT in treating BPD will be discussed.
  • The use of dialectics as a new way of thinking will be discussed.
  • The combination of behavioral change skills and humanism will be discussed.
  •  The use of validation to help move patients towards change will be discussed.  The six ways to validate will be discussed in depth later in the training. 
  • DBT assumptions.
    The assumptions made in DBT and how they relate to treatment will be discussed. 
  • 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review

Session 2 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST 

• 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST Diagnostic Criteria for BPD
• DSMV definitions
• DSMV definitions for borderline personality disorder will be described.
• Other disorders that can be treated with DBT will be discussed. 
• Common symptom presentation will be described.
• Applications of symptoms in clinical settings will be discussed 
• Applications of symptoms in school and other settings will be discussed.
• BPD risk factors
• 8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST Comorbid disorders 
•  The comorbid disorder of Bipolar, Anxiety and other cluster B personality disorder, as well as how to treat these disorders together with BPD will be discussed.
• 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review   

Session 3 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST

• 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST Diagnosis Appropriate for DBT Treatment
• The use of DBT in the treatment of BPD will be discussed.
• The use of DBT in the treatment of oppositional defiant disorder will be discussed
• The use of DBT in the treatment of OCD will be discussed.
• The use of DBT in the treatment of Anxiety will be discussed.
• Explanations of why and how these disorders can be treated with DBT will be discussed 
• 8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST DBT limitations
• The reasons OCPD is not treated with DBT will be discussed.
• The reason some other cluster b personality disorders are not treated with DBT will be discussed.
• The reasons Schizophrenia is not  treated with DBT will be discussed
• The reasons why Autism Spectrum Disorder is not treated with DBT will be discussed.
• Explanations   why DBT is not effective for these issues will be provided.
• 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review 

Session 4 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST 

• 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST The Components of DBT Treatment
• The elements of DBT individual sessions will be discussed.            
• Skills groups, and their incorporation to one on one session, will be discussed.
• How to use Phone coaching and the need to discuss boundaries will be discussed.
• The Consultation team concept will be described.
• 8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST Validation.
• All six validation techniques and how they are used to help move people towards change will be discussed.
• 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review 

Session 5 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST 

• 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST Mindfulness: A Description of the 3 States of Mind in DBT  ( wise mind, emotional mind, rational mind) will be provided.
• The following mindfulness skills will be described:
• Observe 
• Describe
• Participate 
• Non judgmentally
• One mindfully
• Effectively
• A Discussion of how to implement these mindfulness techniques will follow the description.
• 8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST mindfulness practice exercises will be taught
• The use of music as a mindfulness exercise will be demonstrated.
• Other mindfulness exercises will be demonstrated 
• 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review 

Session 6 - 8:30 AM EST - 9:30 AM EST 

•   8:30 AM EST - 8:55 AM EST Emotional Regulation
•   Analyzing behavior-The effect of emotional regulation other parts of BDT will be discussed.
•   A Chain analysis –showing the interplay of vulnerability links, trigger links, and behavior will be demonstrated
•   8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST chain analysis continued
•   Different uses of chain analysis will be demonstrated with case examples.
•   A brief description of the use of Dairy cards in DBT will be discussed.
•   9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review 

Session 7 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST 

•   8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST The Following Emotional  Regulation Skills will be discussed
•   Build Mastery
•   Build positive experience
•   Examples of how these can be used in real time sessions will be demonstrated.
•   8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST behavioral skills
•   The skills of opposite action to emotion will be discussed. The implementation of these skills with different emotions will be       demonstrated. 
•   Various uses of opposite action to emotion with case examples will be demonstrated.
•   9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review 

Session 8 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST 

• 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST Distress Tolerance Skills
• The purpose of Distress tolerance skills will be discussed.
• The appropriate timing of these skills will be discussed
• Case examples will be provided to help illustrate these skills.
• 8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST distress tolerance continued
• Suicide prevention skills will be discussed
• Self-harm prevention skills will be discussed
• DBT Protocols for these skills will be demonstrated. 
• 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review 

Session 9 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST

• 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST Distress Tolerance Continued
• The Distract skills for distress tolerance will be discussed Specific uses of these skills for specific problems will be discussed
• 8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST Distress tolerance continued
• The skill of Wise mind accepts will be discussed. Followed by a discussion of how to use these skills to decrease distress and stop little problems from becoming big problems. (Arrested for speeding ticket story)
• 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review 

 Session 10 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST 

• 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
• The Purpose of skills- including why they needed and how to get client buy in will be discussed.
• The use of these skills to prevent invalidation will be discussed case examples will be provided.
• The use of these skills to prevent aggression will be discussed .Case examples will be provided.
• 8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST 
• Methods to connect Interpersonal effectiveness skills and emotional regulation skills will be discussed.
• Methods to connect Interpersonal skills and distress tolerance skills will be discussed.
• 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review

Session 11 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST

• 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills Continued
• Skills of objective effectiveness such as Dear Man will be discussed the use of these skills to effectively advocate and to learn to say no will be demonstrated.
• 8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST 
• Relationship effectiveness skills will be discussed. The  use of these skills to build relationships will be discussed
• Self-respect effectiveness skills such as Give Fast will be discussed. The use of these skills to enhance self-respect and self-validation will be discussed.
• 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review

Session 12 - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST Case presentations

• 8:30 AM - 8:55 AM EST Case Presentations
• Case presentation 1/ the case type will be determined by request.
• 8:55 AM - 9:20 AM EST
• Case presentation 2/ the case type determined by request
• 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM EST - Wrap up/review

Objectives:

• Demonstrate the ability to accurately diagnose BPD and identify comorbid conditions through complex case study presentations.
• Show mastery in applying advanced validation techniques to facilitate client change, evidenced by detailed case presentations and role-play exercises.
• Design and implement customized mindfulness exercises, demonstrated through case examples showing effective integration into treatment plans.
• Develop and apply advanced emotional regulation strategies for suicide prevention, evidenced by comprehensive suicide prevention plans.
• Apply opposite action techniques to effect behavioral change, demonstrated through successful case analyses.
• Critically analyze the impact of the therapeutic alliance on treatment outcomes, shown through reflective essays or presentations.
• Lead discussions on the suitability of DBT for various disorders, supported by current research.
• Deliver advanced psychoeducation on DBT to clients and families, evidenced by educational materials or workshops.
• Develop and present advanced training modules on DEAR MAN and GIVE FAST strategies for improving client relationships.
• Construct comprehensive safety plans integrating distress tolerance skills for clients at risk, presented through detailed scenario-specific interventions.

Dr. Yosef Posy is a doctoral level psychologist who received his doctoral degree from Hofstra University.  Dr Posy has also done advanced training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech, and has worked as a clinician, supervisor and administrator since 2003. Dr Posy has provided training on CBT and DBT to several schools in the Brooklyn area. He has also developed, and ran a Doctoral level internship and externship program for Interborough Developmental & Consultation Center.