Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Training

MCBAP-R: 4.5
Skip to Course

This course provides a non-certifiable general overview. It is a requirement for a person to participate in the basic DBT training OR has been trained in the past and feel they need a refresher. The DBT course is intended for a person that is preparing for DBT basic training as a requirement for participation in the full training. Completion of this online course does not qualify a person to be certified to implement the practice without additional training.

In this course, Josh Smith, LMSW, BCD provides an introduction to DBT, a treatment model rooted in an individual's ability to change. In standard DBT, different types of psychosocial therapy may be utilized as a part of treatment. DBT emphasizes validation, a powerful technique wherein the therapist and participant work toward accepting uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, and behaviors rather than struggling with them. Once validation occurs, it is then possible to establish goals. As a comprehensive treatment, DBT can:

  • Decrease the frequency and severity of self-destructive behaviors.
  • Increase the motivation to change by providing positive reinforcement.
  • Teach new "coping skills" that generalize to a person's natural environment.
  • Provide a treatment environment that emphasizes the strengths of individuals and their treatment.
  • Enhance the therapist's motivation and ability to work effectively.

DBT also integrates coping skills and specific behavioral techniques used to combat the disabling symptoms of mental illness. This training takes approximately four (4) hours to complete.

Defining Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). 

Participants of this course will develop a working understanding of the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) framework and evidence-based best practices for implementing this therapy with end clients. 

Behavioral Techniques within Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). 

The course experts that developed this course will provide participants with the building blocks of behavioral techniques within Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. 

Skills Aquisition in DBT.

This course outlines the specific skills that are most valuable within this framework of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. The course will provide evidence-based practices for utilizing these skills with end clients. 

You may want to check out our Motivational Interviewing modules as well, these modules teach you how to develop "change talk" in your client.

  • Understanding Therapy destroying behavior and how to eliminate that behavior.
  • Understanding Skills Acquisition and how to increate aspects like Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance and Emotional Regulation skills.
  • Identify therapy interfering behaviors and how to decrease this behavior in your clients.

Josh Smith

Josh Smith, MSW, LMSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in the State of Michigan as well as a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician.  Upon getting his Master's Degree in Social Work in 2002, Josh became an outpatient therapist for Pines Behavioral Health in Coldwater, Michigan.  After leaving Pines, Josh went on to lead numerous DBT program development trainings in all levels of care (inpatient, partial/day programs, outpatient, residential and forensic) for both adolescents and adults.  

Josh is a Clinical Instructor in the School of Social Work and the Department of Psychiatry at Michigan State University where he teaches DBT to MSW students as well as psychiatry residents.  He currently provides supervision to a number of clinicians in DBT from across the country in a variety of settings.  Josh obtained his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Michigan State University and received his 10-Day Intensive DBT Training by Behavioral Tech in 2004.  From 2012-2014, he received DBT supervision from international DBT expert and author Linda Dimeff, PhD.  He is currently only one of four people in Michigan to obtain Certification in DBT by the Linehan Board of Certifiers.

Course Progress

Course Content

This content is unavailable

Enroll in the course to access

Enroll in this Course

What People Are Saying

I enjoyed the level of engagement and the pace at which information was presented. I was able to gauge my understanding in real time through the exercises within the module."
Photo of person giving the testimonial - Todd. B.