Introduction to dialectical behaviour therapy for occupational therapy professionals (Online course)

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a skills-based treatment for clients to learn and apply strategies to manage their emotions and behaviours (Mission Australia, 2015). A main facet of DBT is focusing on helping clients live a life worth living, which aligns with occupational therapy professionals working to promote and facilitate occupational participation (Rizvi et al., 2024). By integrating DBT skills into their practice, occupational therapy professionals are positioned to assist clients to improve relationships, cope with difficult situations, and to regulate their emotions. 

Course overview 

This online course offers occupational therapy professionals an opportunity to better understand dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and how to teach the following DBT skills in their practice: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. This six-part online course includes a combination of videos, self-reflection, experiential exercises, and discussion boards covering the following topics:

• Part 1 (approximately 1 hour): DBT as a tool to promote occupational participation.
• Part 2 (approximately 45 minutes): Mindfulness. Benefits of mindfulness. Mindfulness self-assessment and exercises.
• Part 3 (approximately 1 hour): Interpersonal effectiveness. Assertiveness. Relationships.
• Part 4 (approximately 45 minutes): Emotion regulation. Subjective Units of Distress (SUDS). Understanding and regulating emotions.
• Part 5 (approximately 2.5 hours): Distress tolerance. Distress and trauma. Distress tolerance exercises.
• Part 6 (approximately 45 minutes): Radically Open Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy. Impact on practice.

Learning objectives 

By the end of this online course, you will be able to:

1. Describe dialectical behaviour therapy.
2. Utilize at least three mindfulness exercises with individuals and collectives.
3. Teach at least three interpersonal effectiveness skills to individuals and collectives.
4. Support individuals and collectives in recognizing their emotions and the physical impact of emotions.
5. Describe the body’s response to trauma.
6. Teach at least five distress tolerance strategies to individuals and collectives.

Target audience 

Occupational therapist clinicians, students in occupational therapy programs, and other health professionals who are interested in increasing their familiarity with and confidence in using a dialectical behaviour therapy to assist individuals and collectives in managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours which are creating barriers to occupational participation.

Experience level 

Beginner (0-2 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Client age groups 

Children (5-12 years old), Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Areas of practice 

Autism/Neurodiversity, Forensic mental health, Mental health, Primary care, Psychotherapy, Substance use/addictions, Veterans Affairs or Armed Forces

Time commitment 

Approximately 7 hours

Language

English

Presenter 

Lisa Diamond-Burchuk, OT Reg. (M.B.), graduated as an occupational therapist in 1989 from the University of Manitoba and completed her Masters in Occupational Therapy degree in 2017. She has practiced in Manitoba (primarily) and British Columbia in home, acute care, long-term rehabilitation, personal care homes, school and private practice settings; both in rural and urban communities. She has worked with all ages in a wide variety of practice areas and clinical settings. Lisa has developed a passion for the role of occupational therapy in primary care and wants to spread the word about all of the skills in the occupational therapist’s toolbox which enable occupational therapists to support individuals and communities. She teaches skills and approaches such as motivational interviewing, dialectical behaviour therapy (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness), cognitive behavioural therapy, coping skills, behavioural activation, complex pain management, cultural safety, harm reduction, self-management, and effective goal setting. Lisa has been an instructor at the University of Manitoba for 20 years and developed her DBT practice while providing occupational therapy services at Northern Connections Medical Centre; a primary care clinic serving clients from northern remote communities and members of other underserved individuals and groups. She has also supported the development of emerging community roles through fieldwork and is the founder and chair of the Manitoba Primary Health Care Community of Practice.

This purchase provides individual access to this online course for 90 days following purchase. Access the online course immediately following purchase by selecting this online course on My Dashboard on CAOT's learning management system (LMS), using your CAOT My Account login information.

No cancellations/refunds will be provided once the purchase is completed. Please visit the Professional Development FAQ for additional information. Please note that the terminology used in this online course is reflective of the CAOT Style Guide at time of recording. If you have any questions, please contact CAOT's Professional Development team at education@caot.ca.