Intensive Training in the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Prolonged Exposure Protocol for PTSD

This 4-day online workshop is designed to provide intensive training in how to integrate PTSD treatment into standard DBT. 

Participants will learn the DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE) protocol for treating PTSD, one of the newest developments in DBT research and practice. Research has shown that this protocol can be added to DBT to allow for integrated treatment of PTSD, suicidal and self-injurious behavior, and other co-occurring problems. Participants will learn how to use DBT strategies to prepare high-risk and multi-problem clients for the DBT PE protocol as well as how to determine when clients are ready to begin formal PTSD treatment. The structure and procedures of the DBT PE protocol will be taught in a session-by-session format with extensive opportunities to watch video examples and practice delivering each of the primary treatment components. Particular attention will be paid to discussing strategies for overcoming common problems that arise during PTSD treatment with high-risk and multi-problem clients as well as how to tailor the treatment to address the complex characteristics of this client population.

This training is relevant for practitioners who have training in DBT and are seeking further training in an evidence-based treatment for PTSD built for individuals experiencing multiple, complex and high-risk behaviours. For practitioners who have expertise in additional evidence-based treatments for PTSD, this training may be an important complement to your current approach. It offers detailed information on helping individuals get ready to engage in focussed PTSD treatment, and the details of bringing a tailored and emotion-focussed approach to engaging in values-consistent actions that the person has habitually avoided owing to complex PTSD.

Click here to read more about DBT PE. 

Training format and location.

This training is being offered online in NZ as part of an event in Melbourne, Australia, hosted by our DBT Training Australia colleagues. In-person attendance in possible in Melbourne via bookings on their website. If you are registering for online attendance from New Zealand, then registering on this website will allow you to claim NZ GST and avoid currency conversion fees.

Training Level

• This is an advanced DBT training.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Explain the rationale for developing the DBT PE protocol.
• Describe the evidence base supporting DBT PE.
• Identify DBT strategies to use to prepare high-risk and multi-problem clients for DBT PE.
• Determine if clients are ready for formal PTSD treatment.
• Explain the treatment rationale (i.e., how PTSD is maintained and how DBT PE works to reduce PTSD).
• Conduct the Trauma Interview and select traumatic events to target via imaginal exposure.
• Provide psychoeducation about common dialectical reactions to trauma.
• Explain the rationale for using in vivo exposure to treat PTSD.
• Develop an in vivo exposure hierarchy.
• Explain the rationale for using imaginal exposure to treat PTSD.
• Conduct imaginal exposure.
• Conduct processing of imaginal exposure.
• Describe the typical pattern of change in emotions over the course of DBT PE.
• Determine when to pause and resume DBT PE to address higher-priority problems.
• Address avoidance that interferes with exposure.
• Address emotional over- and under-engagement during exposure.
• Address stuck beliefs and emotions that interfere with reducing PTSD.
• Teach skills for preventing and managing a relapse of PTSD.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is intended for mental health professionals who:

• Have participated in DBT Intensive or Foundational training (or equivalent),
• Currently provide DBT individual therapy to adolescents or adults, and
• Agree to read the DBT PE manual prior to the training:
  • Harned, M. S. (2022). Treating trauma in Dialectical Behavior Therapy: The DBT Prolonged Exposure protocol (DBT PE). New York, NY: Guilford Press. 

Trainers

Dr Melanie Harned, PhD, ABPP

Melanie Harned, Ph.D., ABPP is a Psychologist and Coordinator of the DBT Program at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System as well as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. Dr. Harned has previously worked as the Research Director of Dr. Marsha Linehan’s Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics at the University of Washington (2006-2018), Director of Research and Development for Behavioral Tech, LLC (2014-2017), and Director of Behavioral Tech Research, Inc. (2013-2016). Dr. Harned’s research focuses on the development and evaluation of the DBT Prolonged Exposure protocol for PTSD as well as methods of disseminating and implementing this and other evidence-based treatments into clinical practice. She regularly provides training and consultation nationally and internationally in DBT and DBT PE and has published numerous articles and book chapters on these treatments. She is a certified DBT therapist, a certified PE therapist and supervisor, is board certified in Behavioral and Cognitive therapy, and is licensed as a psychologist in the state of Washington.

Annie McCall, LMHC

Annie began training in DBT as a graduate student at New York University in 1999. Since receiving her Masters degree in 2000, she has
continued to develop her skills as a DBT practitioner, including acting as a skills trainer and individual therapist on two research studies led by
treatment developer Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. at the University of Washington. Annie has worked closely with Melanie Harned, Ph.D., in the development and training of the DBT Prolonged Exposure protocol, including providing individual therapy in the original treatment development study. She co-founded Youth and Family DBT of Seattle, which offered multi-family DBT skills groups and parent coaching workshops from 2007 - 2016. She currently works as a DBT PE therapist, trainer, and consultant. She is a certified DBT therapist, and a certified PE therapist and supervisor.

1. A registration is for one person.

2. If you are joining online, you agree to join from a quiet, private location. Privacy is required in order for us to show confidential material which may include session video.

3. You agree not to record the meeting in any way. You agree not to distribute materials to other persons without prior agreement.

4. Payment must be made before the training. Registrations are confirmed only when payment is received. 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 14 days before the event will receive a refund of the fees paid less an administration charge of NZ$100+GST (for each event).
   Refunds cannot be given after that date. Refunds will not be available until after the event.

7. A colleague (who meets the eligibility criteria) may be substituted for no extra charge if we are notified at least five business days before the training event.
   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.

8. Online statements of attendance can be downloaded by all participants from this page. Printed certificates of attendance are not available for this event.
   You agree to join the online event from a quiet private location.