Thursday, November 1, 2007

DBT Strategies for Children & Adolescents

What is DBT and Why Use DBT with Youth? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, is an evidence-based, multi-modal cognitive-behavioral approach. It is effective in helping troubled youth, many with a history of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, find alternatives to self-harming, suicidal, substance abusing, and angry behavior. Every youngster needs to learn self-regulation skills; DBT is effective for youngsters who have trouble controlling their emotions and behaviors.

Learn how to give youth skills that decrease high-risk, crisis-seeking behaviors; manage intense emotions and interpersonal relationships; and control their impulses, providing problem-solving and coping skills. DBT addresses the relationship between the youth and his/her environment (family, significant others, peers, and school). Treatment dropout is reduced by placing a primary focus on maintaining and increasing the motivation of the youth, family, and therapist in treatment. Through this workshop, participants will:

• Explore the core components of DBT
• Conceptualize treatment goals from a DBT perspective
• Gain facility with the skills taught in DBT: mindfulness, relationship skills, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance
• Obtain specific ways to tailor DBT skills to a variety of settings (home, school, and community)

This workshop will provide participants with strategies to take back to their outpatient, residential, outreach, or home-based programs, and to schools. It also offers ways for ancillary service providers to support clients who are in DBT outside of their program. Throughout the workshop, case examples will be given to illustrate key concepts and address challenging situations that may arise in treatment.

Instructor

Laurie Brodeur, Psy.D., is an Area Director for Northern Human Services. Trained by Dr. Marsha Linehan more than a decade ago, Dr. Brodeur, as part of a statewide team, initiated DBT treatment programs throughout New Hampshire, and provided training and consultation. She has extensive experience integrating individual, family, and group therapies, working with clients who have suicidal and self-harming behaviors, as well as frequent psychiatric hospitalization. Dr. Brodeur is an engaging presenter who has a knack for transforming complex information into practical, hands-on material.