September 25, 2026
St. Louis, MO
Course Description
DBT FUNdamentals: Laying the Foundations for Effective Practice provides mental health professionals with a high-level introduction to the theory, structure, and essential treatment components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). This workshop is designed as a “helicopter view” of DBT and serves as the foundation for subsequent advanced workshops focused on DBT Skills Training and DBT in Individual Therapy.
Participants will review the historical development of DBT, the scientific and behavioral foundations of the treatment model, and the core assumptions that guide DBT clinicians. The workshop introduces the Biosocial Theory and Transactional Model of emotional dysregulation, while exploring the dialectical balance between acceptance and change strategies.
Attendees will examine the primary modes of treatment, stages of treatment, behavioral targeting hierarchy, validation strategies, behaviorism principles, and stylistic strategies commonly used in DBT. The training will also provide an overview of DBT skills training, consultation team structure, phone coaching, and therapist assumptions.
Teaching methods include lecture, discussion, video examples, experiential exercises, and case-based application.
This course is appropriate for clinicians who are new to DBT as well as clinicians seeking a structured review of foundational DBT concepts.
This workshop is part of a three-training DBT learning series that also includes DBT Skills: Tools for Building a Life Worth Living and DBT Individual Therapy: Designing Effective Interventions. Trainings may be taken independently and are not required to be completed in sequence.
Presenter Bios:
Casey Limmer, MSW, LCSW, DBT-LBC began her clinical career specializing in the treatment of trauma sustained by victims of violent crime and later developed programs supporting bereaved children and families. Her clinical focus ultimately shifted toward the treatment of suicidal behaviors, self-injury, severe emotion dysregulation, and Borderline Personality Disorder.
Casey received her first DBT training in 2001 and has since completed intensive and advanced DBT training programs. She has developed and overseen multiple DBT programs in the St. Louis region and completed the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification process. Casey previously taught Applied Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy courses at Washington University in St. Louis and currently coordinates DBT trainings for clinicians all over the world.
Casey has trained in CBT with Judith Beck and in DBT with Marsha Linehan. She has received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Washington University for her engaging and interactive teaching style.
Adrianne Martin, MSW, LCSW has worked in crisis intervention settings since 2007 and began specializing in suicide-related care while completing her Master of Social Work degree at Washington University in St. Louis. Adrianne is passionate about clinician training and suicide prevention education and serves as a Master Trainer for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Adrianne provides DBT-informed treatment through her private practice and collaborates with St. Louis DBT in the treatment of individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and related disorders involving emotional dysregulation.
Timeline:
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Welcome, Orientation, and Introduction to DBT
• Training overview
• History and evolution of DBT
• Research foundations and treatment outcomes
• Behavioral and dialectical influences
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Biosocial Theory and Transactional Theory
• Emotional vulnerability
• Invalidating environments
• Transactional patterns
• Development and maintenance of emotional dysregulation
• Case formulation overview
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Break
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Dialectics, Assumptions, and Treatment Philosophy
• Dialectical worldview
• Common dialectical dilemmas
• Therapist assumptions
• Patient assumptions
• Balancing acceptance and change
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Change Strategies in DBT
• Behavioral principles
• Reinforcement and shaping
• Chain analysis overview
• Problem-solving strategies
• Contingency management basics
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch Break
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Validation and Acceptance Strategies
• Levels (types) of validation
• Radical genuineness
• Communication strategies
• Common validation errors
• Experiential exercises
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Structure of Comprehensive DBT
• Stages of treatment
• Behavioral hierarchy and targets
• Individual therapy
• Skills training groups
• Phone coaching
• Consultation team
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Break
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
DBT Skills Overview: A Taste Test
• Mindfulness overview
• Distress tolerance overview
• Emotion regulation overview
• Interpersonal effectiveness overview
• Practical clinical applications
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Clinical Integration and Closing Discussion
• Identifying appropriate referrals for DBT
• Common implementation challenges
• Ethical considerations
• Q&A and wrap-up
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
1. Describe the historical and behavioral foundations that contributed to the development of Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
2. Explain the Biosocial Theory and Transactional Model of emotional dysregulation.
3. Identify the primary assumptions and dialectical principles utilized in DBT treatment.
4. Distinguish between acceptance-based and change-based interventions in DBT.
5. Summarize the stages of treatment and behavioral treatment targets used in comprehensive DBT.
6. Recognize the four DBT skills modules and their intended clinical functions.
7. Describe the primary modes of treatment utilized within comprehensive DBT programs.
8. Demonstrate the use of validation strategies and behavioral principles through experiential exercises and case examples.
For more information: https://www.stldbt.com/trainings-and-workshops
This course is Interactive .
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