DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY PRACTICE

This class is the first required course in the Columbia University DBT Training Program and only open to students admitted to that program. It is designed to prepare students for intensive DBT training and for their DBT internships in the community and for ensuring that program interns are prepared for beginning DBT practice with client populations exhibiting a range of behavioral dysfunctions. These range from mild problems in living that may benefit from DBT skills training to more complex disorders, including suicidal behaviors, requiring comprehensive DBT. It is understood that students enter this program with varying levels of competence and experience in mental health practice and that ongoing individual assessment between the student and instructor play an ongoing role throughout the DBT Training Program, beginning in this class. Personal development as a clinician and personal practices that improve performance are an integral part of all these activities.