Dialectical Behavioural Therapy: An Introduction

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioural treatment developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. Originally designed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has since been adapted for a wide range of mental health challenges, including mood disorders, self-harm, and substance use disorders. What sets DBT apart is its unique blend of acceptance and change strategies, rooted in both Western behavioral science and Eastern mindfulness practices.

DBT is significant because it addresses the complex needs of individuals who often struggle with emotional regulation, interpersonal difficulties, and self-destructive behaviors. By integrating mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT offers a holistic approach to mental health. Its evidence-based nature and adaptability have made it a gold standard in therapeutic interventions worldwide.

For practitioners, DBT provides a structured yet flexible framework for supporting clients through some of their most challenging moments. For clients, it offers hope, practical skills, and a path toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

DBT’s roots are firmly planted in the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy. CBT provided a structured, skills-based approach to understanding and changing problematic thoughts and behaviours. Linehan adopted many of CBT’s core techniques, such as behavioural analysis, skills training, and homework assignments. However, she also recognised the limitations of a purely change-focused model, especially for clients who felt misunderstood or invalidated by their environment.

This workshop will:

explore core ideas in DBT

examine the contemporary clinical practices

review the key skill sets in DBT

1. Mindfulness Skills in DBT
2. Distress Tolerance Skills
3. Emotion Regulation Skills
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills

In addition, all attendees will be able to enrol in our 1`2 module, 36 lesson online, self-paced DBT course at a discounted rate.

Resources

A full set of slides with extensive clickable links to free online resources, is sent free to all delegates after the event. This also includes references to key sources.

CPD

A CPD Certificate of Attendance confirming 2 hours skills CPD is available to all delegates who attend.

Facilitator

Professor Patrick McGhee is a CBT therapist, psychologist and UK National Teaching Fellow. Educated at the universities of Glasgow and Oxford, he has completed CPD programmes at Harvard Business School and Ashridge. In 2017 he was a Visiting Fellow/Scholar at the universities of Cornell, Yale and MIT in the USA. He has taught, researched or practised in psychology and therapy for 30 years. His first post was a Research Fellow in Psychiatry and Psychology at St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London. He is the author of Thinking Psychologically (Palgrave) and co-editor of Accounting for Relationships (Methuen). He is an occasional columnist for the Guardian, the BBC and the Times Higher. He currently works in private practice in Greater Manchester and Lancashire. He has full accreditation from the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.

Joining instructions

Joining instructions for the webinar will be sent to participants on registration and again approximately 24 hours and 20 minutes before the start of the event. Please aim to join about 10 minutes before the start of the event to check connections.