DBT Essentials: A One-Day Introduction to Core Concepts and Skills

This workshop is approved for 6 hours of continuing education by the Order of Psychologists of Quebec (OPQ).

General description

This one-day training is designed to provide mental health professionals with a comprehensive overview of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT, a well-established and evidence-based approach, is particularly effective for individuals struggling with emotion regulation, self-destructive behaviors, and complex mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder.

Participants will gain a solid foundation in the core components of DBT, including its theoretical underpinnings, the dialectical philosophy, and the balance between acceptance and change strategies. The training will introduce the four primary DBT skill modules: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Through interactive discussions, practical exercises, and real-world case examples, attendees will learn how to apply these skills in clinical practice.

This hands-on, clinically-focused training is ideal for psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers, and other mental health professionals who are new to DBT or seeking a refresher on its essential elements. By the end of the day, participants will have the knowledge and tools to begin incorporating DBT principles into their therapeutic work, enhancing their ability to support clients in managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and building a life worth living.

After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the core principles, theoretical foundations, and dialectical philosophy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
2. Identify and understand the four core DBT skill modules: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness.
3. Apply acceptance- and change-based DBT strategies to support clients experiencing emotional dysregulation and complex clinical concerns.
4. Integrate practical DBT skills into clinical practice to help clients manage intense emotions, cope with distress, and improve interpersonal relationships.

About the speaker - Dr. Debra Prema Shakti Alvis, PhD

Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation. She serves an Adjunct Faculty position at York University and is a distinguished Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). Dr. Federici has served as the elected Co-Chair for the Suicide and DBT Special Interest Group for the Academy for Eating Disorders and currently sits on the DBT Special Interest Group Oversight Committee. She has had a considerable impact on the field through her leadership, advocacy work, and expertise. To date, she has provided 400 lectures, workshops, and invited talks on eating disorders, DBT, and MED-DBT. Known for her engaging and authentic style of training, she is a highly sought-after clinical consultant and supervisor. She also works extensively with hospitals and community organizations nationally and internationally offering team training, implementation support, and program development with a special focus on creating differential care pathways for clients and patients who do not respond to traditional treatment approaches. Her work has been presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals and invited book chapters. She is currently co-authoring the MED-DBT treatment manual through Guilford Press.

About this workshop

This workshop was given live, online in April 2025.  The content provided here is a recording of that workshop, offered as a series of brief videos.