DBT Foundational for Adolescents & Families
Transform adolescent care with DBT: An online training course for clinicians working in a DBT team
About the course
Start date
Start anytime
Time
14 weeks | 12 months accessWho this course is for
For Mental Health Professionals in a DBT teamToday’s adolescents face more opportunities, and more pressures, than ever. Many struggle with loneliness, sadness, sleep problems, difficulties with focus, anxiety, and depression, and are plagued by higher rates of self-harm and suicidal behavior.
Many parents feel overwhelmed by the challenges they face with their teens, and are unsure how to effectively parent them. Many clinicians feel ill-equipped to effectively treat multi-problem and high risk youth.
The good news: we have a solution for these teens, caregivers, and clinicians.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed specifically for youth struggling with multiple problems and self-harm, and remains the only well-established, evidence-based treatment for this population.
This DBT foundational training, designed for clinicians currently working within a DBT team, is led by DBT for Adolescent pioneers Alec Miller and Jill Rathus, and takes your learning beyond what you might glean from the treatment manuals alone.
You’ll see ample clinical demonstrations of the six modalities in this model, including:
Individual therapy
Family therapy
Skills training
Inter-session coaching for teens and parents
Therapist consultation team
Parent sessions
By providing a comprehensive, 360-degree view of treatment, you’ll be immersed in the therapy room and see how the various components of DBT integrate to produce powerful, synergistic effects.
$1650
DBT Foundational for Adolescents & Families
Meet Your Course Presenters
This course is led by the clinical developers of DBT for adolescents:
Alec Miller- co-developer of DBT for adolescents and the DBT Skills in Schools program
Jill Rathus - co-developer of DBT for adolescents and DBT Skills in Schools
Featuring Dr. Marsha Linehan and Leading DBT Experts: Founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Dr. Linehan shares key insights alongside other leading DBT experts on the comprehensive treatment model created for adolescents and families. With deep knowledge of DBT, adolescent treatment, and family dynamics, they bring you training grounded in research, real-world clinical insight, and compassionate care.
How This Training Helps You in Practice
This course equips you with the practical skills and clinical strategies needed to deliver DBT effectively with adolescents and their families. You’ll be introduced to core DBT theory and principles while following the therapeutic progression from pre-treatment to termination with a diverse range of complex adolescent clients and their caregivers. You’ll also learn how to participate in an effective therapist consultation team, building collaboration, sustaining motivation, and ensuring the highest quality of care.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
Identify which adolescent populations benefit most from DBT
Explain key elements of the Biosocial Theory and their role in emotion dysregulation
Use commitment strategies to strengthen motivation in pre-treatment
Apply DBT tools such as adolescent diary cards, chain analyses, and solution analyses
Build safety with suicide prevention planning tailored for teens and families
Strengthen your practice with core DBT strategies including problem-solving, validation, and family therapy interventions
Understand the structure of the DBT Consultation Team and the Walking the Middle Path Skills Module
This training gives you the confidence to navigate complex cases, engage families effectively, and deliver DBT with precision and compassion.
Program Format
Your learning experience is carefully crafted to guide you through the comprehensive DBT model, emphasizing hands-on application every step of the way.
This training includes:
Flexible start — begin anytime once eligibility is approved (usually within 2 business days)
Self-directed — move through the course at your own pace
14-week structure — Step-by-step program to support steady progress
12 months access — Return to modules, refresh knowledge, and rewatch demonstrations whenever it suits you
Is This Program Right for You?
This Foundational Training is designed for clinicians who are part of a DBT team with at least one intensively trained member, and is a key element of your pathway to DBT certification.
To participate, clinicians should:
Work in an active DBT program and take part in a DBT consultation team that meets weekly.
Have access to an intensively trained mentor — either within their team or externally — to provide guidance and support while learning and applying DBT.
We invite you to join us in this comprehensive learning experience inspired by DBT Founder, Marsha Linehan.
