DBT Team Foundational Training -July 2025

We are currently inviting expressions of interest for a Team Foundational training. Assuming sufficient level of interest, Part 1 will be held in July-August 2025, and then Part 2 will be held in February/March 2026.

This training is a comprehensive team-based program of study designed to provide teams with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide DBT. It focuses on both the establishment of comprehensive DBT programs and the clinical skills necessary to provide the treatment to persons with complex mental health problems. This training in DBT includes 4 hours of content specific to risk assessment, management, and treatment of suicidal behaviours.

This training is intended for teams that are invested in learning DBT to a high standard in order to better implement the treatment in their settings. As DBT is a treatment that requires an ongoing consultation team, this training is designed for treatment teams, not individual practitioners intending to practice alone. A DBT team (minimum of 4, maximum of 8) is a group of mental health professionals who meets at least weekly to assist each other in applying DBT in their practice setting.

If you are already a member of a functioning, intensively trained DBT team then click here to register for the standard Foundational Training (ie, not this one).

The training is divided into 2 parts that are designed to guide teams to accomplish DBT program implementation. Between Parts 1 and 2 there is a series of up to six online team consultations delivered by one of our consultants. Part 1 consists of 30 training hours of instruction offered online and spread out across 6 training days. This is followed by six to seven months of home study. Part 2 will also be held online, and its exact duration will be determined by the number of teams seeking training.

In Part 1, lectures, videotapes, and small group exercises are used to teach DBT theory and strategies in-depth. Between Parts 1 and 2 participants consolidate and apply what they have learned with the help of practice assignments. Between sessions, each team designs and begins to implement their own DBT programs or to integrate DBT into an ongoing treatment setting. During this time, there is a series of up to six online team consultations delivered by one of our consultants. In Part 2, teams present their work and receives expert consultation on specific cases and on their program, including protocols for specific treatment problems and adaptations of DBT. Individualised consultation is provided around the team’s current learning objective.

Components

 Part 1 / week 1: Main focus on Preparation and Knowledge Acquisition. These 6 days are held in conjunction with the DBT Foundational training (described here) for new members of already established DBT teams.

Monthly team-based consultations (teams of nominally 8, maximum of 6 consultations, online). Main focus on Implementation and Practice Improvement

Part 2. Five days of consultation held online in early 2026:  26th & 27th February, 5th & 6th March and 12th March 2026. From 8.30am-3 pm (Sydney/Melbourne time) each day.  If there is a low number of teams enrolled then this may be reduced to four days - this will be clarified before the start of part 1. All teams will receive detailed consultation and sufficient time to cover other learning objectives.

Training Objectives

The primary objectives of this Team Foundational training are listed on the linked Foundational training page. The Team Foundational training adds an emphasis on programme structure and implementation as well as clinical and programme consultations. We can discuss with your DBT team leader additional specific goals and requirements for this training. Note that additional tasks and training days (Part 2) will apply to the Team Foundational Training.

Registration Process

To register you will need a registration code from us. We will supply this to your team leader who will then have to first register your team. To express your interest and for more information about this please contact us.

Location

Online with Zoom. You must have sufficient technology to participate and do so from a quiet private location. Privacy is required in order for us to show confidential session videos.

Note: we are running this event in collaboration with our colleagues at DBT New Zealand. We suggest you register on the site that reflects your country of residence as this will simplify communications and be beneficial to you in terms of GST and currency costs.

1. All registrations must be approved according to Behavioral Tech criteria prior to acceptance for the training.
2. All registrations are confirmed only when payment is received.
3. A registration is for one person.
4. You agree to join the online event from a quiet private location. Privacy is required in order for us to show confidential session videos.
5. You agree not to record the meeting in any way. You agree not to distribute materials to other persons without prior agreement.
6. Registrations are confirmed only when payment is received.
7. Payment must be made before the training. By registering you accept liability for the costs of the training.
8. Cancellations must be notified to us by email (or the website contact form) with full identifying information.
9. 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).
10. Refunds cannot be given after that date. Refunds will not be available until after the event.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Online statements of attendance can be downloaded by all participants from this page. Printed certificates of attendance are not available for this event.