This course is designed to introduce students to the foundations of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). It includes an exploration of human psychosocial development in the context of diverse communities. Students are introduced to frameworks for Behavioral Activation, Dialectics, and Acceptance. They also learn how those frameworks apply to providing DBT-informed therapy and assessment. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on the importance of comprehensive, culturally sensitive, individualized assessment and intervention.
Goals
Participants will gain knowledge of the foundations of DBT, which include:
- An understanding of Borderline Personality from different perspectives,
- A brief history of DBT,
- An introduction to the Modes and Functions of DBT,
- And lessons on some main ‘threads’ of DBT, which are validation, dialectics, and behaviorism.
Course Outcomes
Students will:
- Understand the biosocial theory of the etiology of disorders.
- Know basic components and applications of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
- Identify diagnostic criteria related to Borderline Personality Disorder
- Appreciate a model of early childhood development and deviations in development that increase vulnerability to disorders of the self.
- Comprehend foundations and modes and functions of DBT
- Be able to demonstrate effective validation strategies
- Conduct basic behavioral analysis and suggest more effective behaviors
About the Facilitator:
Eric Schmidt has worked in the behavioral health and substance abuse field for the past 20 years. He served primarily in key executive level positions for community-based behavioral health care/substance abuse treatment organizations.
Eric boasts both a Masters of Science in Social Work and a Masters of Business Administration. Besides his business and administrative success, Eric, as a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, personally provides a variety of clinical services, such as individual, group, and family treatment, diagnostic assessments, and psychosocial assessments utilizing a range of techniques and theoretical designs. Further, Eric is adjunct faculty for the University of Utah School of Social Work, where he teaches a variety of clinical and professional development courses. He has utilized marketing, sales, and management skills to dramatically amplify revenues and operations for many of the agencies for which he has worked.