Introduction to DBT for adolescents and families: building skills, fostering change - September 2025

Empower adolescents and their families with proven DBT skills to increase effective behaviour in managing intense emotions, foster connection, and create a life worth living.

A 4-hour web-based training

This training provides a comprehensive introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for adolescents and families.

Participants will learn the core principles and evidence base of DBT, including its unique adaptations for young people and the essential role of family involvement. The course overviews teaching DBT skills to the whole system, while addressing common adolescent-family dilemmas and the impact of invalidating environments. Emphasis is placed on fostering a nonjudgmental, collaborative approach that supports both behavioural change and acceptance, aiming to help adolescents and their families build a “life worth living.” Research findings highlight DBT’s effectiveness in reducing self-harm, suicidal ideation, and emotional dysregulation, and underscore the importance of family participation and culturally responsive practice.

Key learning objectives

Skills and/or knowledge that participants will achieve as a consequence of participation include:

• Understand the DBT framework, including the biosocial model, treatment target hierarchy, and guiding assumptions for working with adolescents and families
• Apply mindfulness strategies to increase nonjudgmental awareness and effective decision-making in daily practice
• Identify and address adolescent-family dialectical dilemmas (e.g., balancing independence and support, recognizing normative vs. problematic behaviours
• Use validation techniques to strengthen relationships and foster emotional insight in adolescents and caregivers
• Conduct behavioural assessments and chain analyses to understand and interrupt patterns of problem behaviour
• Promote a collaborative, culturally responsive, and nonjudgmental approach to supporting adolescent wellbeing and family functioning
• Strategies for managing crises

Please note:

• We do not record the training as it is an interactive web-based training (not a webinar) which may include health-related information. Participants must agree to the ‘no recording’ policy
• This training may include sensitive and private material and examples. By registering, you agree to join in a confidential setting where others cannot see or hear the content of the training

Training Level

This training is Beginning – Intermediate level training. This event is intended for mental health professionals who are familiar with Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.

Are you a healthcare student?

We are offering a 20% discount for a limited number of students enrolled in a mental health related qualification with a New Zealand University or similar tertiary healthcare program in New Zealand. If you are eligible, please contact us with a photo/copy of your student ID and we’ll provide a student discount code for your registration.

1. A registration is for one person. To successfully manage the event, we expect only one person to join the webinar as part of your registration.
2. You agree not to record the meeting in any way. You agree not to distribute materials to other persons without prior agreement.
3. Registrations are confirmed only when payment is received.
4. Payment must be made before the training. By registering you accept liability for the costs of the training.
5. Cancellations must be notified to us by email (or the website contact form) with full identifying information.
6. Cancellations received more than seven days before the event will receive a refund of the fees paid less an administration charge of $100+GST (for each event).
7. Refunds cannot be given after that date. Refunds will not be available until after the event.
8. A colleague may be substituted for no extra charge if we are notified at least two business days before the training event.
9. In the unlikely event the training is cancelled by the organisers, registration will be fully refunded but no liability will be accepted for travel, accommodation or other costs/expenses incurred to registrants.
10. Online statements of attendance can be downloaded by all participants from this page. Printed certificates of attendance are not available for this event.
11. You agree to join the online event from a quiet private location. Privacy is required in order for us to show confidential material which may include session videos.