Certificate in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Informed Practice (40 hours)
Format: Asynchronous (online, self-directed)
Cost: $895 + HST
Time period: over 12 weeks
No textbook required.
Highlights of this course:
- A hybrid model, the student will complete 40 hours of self-directed study in the four skillsets of
the DBT model at a pace that is convenient for the student. Students may begin whenever they
wish, and may proceed as quickly or slowly as you wish, within the given time frame - Individualized attention and instructor feedback given every week on the professional and
reflective practice exercises submitted - No exam; there is a final consolidating case study in which to demonstrate learning
- Students will do practical application with real or “mock” clients that integrates your studies with
practice - All work can be done from home; you will need a reliable internet connection to do so
- Includes a 50-page course-pack of downloadable worksheets and tools for use in practice
Course Overview and Outline
DBT’s catchphrase is “build a life worth living.” Over the course of their practice, therapists will have regular clinical encounters with clients who are overwhelmed by their own emotions and dysregulation. These overwhelming emotions often require isolated work to help stabilize the client, and also to help remove roadblocks to deeper therapeutic work. DBT was initially developed to support those who struggle with suicidal behaviour, borderline personality disorder, emotion dysregulation, substance use, eating disorders, bipolar and other mood disorders. DBT is a comprehensive treatment modality is used in individual work, with groups, and in consultation groups of peers that use the DBT modality. In this course, you will learn the four skillsets of the DBT model used to achieve self-regulation: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. This course includes a 50-page course-pack of worksheets and tools that can be downloaded/printed and duplicated for practice.
Eligibility and Certification
To first enter or subsequently maintain a competent practice in mental health or human services, practitioners require ongoing professional education, as well as opportunities for supervised practice. The Faculty of Continuing Education at ADLER provides both.
ADLER’s Faculty of Continuing Education offers certificate programs that incorporate a case-based learning approach, encompassing theoretical discussion supported by real-life cases, scenarios, and role-playing. This approach affords participants the opportunity to experience the actual, day-to-day challenges encountered by most practitioners. Many of ADLER Continuing Education courses qualify for programs like the continuing education credit hours for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Contact your organization to determine eligibility of a particular course. This program is suitable for students with a minimum of a bachelor degree. Students must be trained and capable of managing crisis clients independently. Written and oral fluency in English is required.
Upon submission of all course assignments, including completion of the 8 modules, and following their review by the teaching team, students will then receive a letter of completion at the end of this course. After completing this course, graduates are not permitted to identify themselves as certified DBT therapists. The only approved DBT certification is through the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification. Please be advised that this course has been designed to meet the educational requirements of the certification process and exam. Note there is no current “regulating” body for DBT; however, completion of this course will satisfy most continuing education requirements.
Disclaimer: Please note that completing any of the courses within this program does not qualify you to register with any regulatory body in Ontario, including neither the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), nor the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). There is no formal accreditation process for CBT in Canada; however, the CACBT is currently developing accreditation processes which, once completed, we aim to comply with. Please be advised that the Academy of Cognitive Therapy (USA) approves these courses of Cognitive Therapy, and completion of these courses will satisfy most continuing education requirements. You are advised to select learning that leads to the regulations / qualifications you hope to achieve in your career.
Getting Started
Once payment is received, you will receive an enrolment email, with a UserID and a temporary password, which will allow you to enter the course software and begin. This enrolment email will take approximately seven business days to be processed. PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER DURING THIS TIME. If you do not see this email within seven business days, please contact us.
Note that all online of ADLER’s online continuing education program have stipulated an allotted amount of time in which to complete your course of study (such as “12 weeks”). Your allotted amount of time begins on the date of your in the enrollment email. Once enrolled, you will not receive additional emails about when you have started or when you are done, so manage your time effectively. Please note: we uphold a strict policy that we do not extend or re-open the software to you once your allotted amount of time is complete. Plan accordingly: if you will be away, you must catch up on your work.
Please note that cancellations up to 2 weeks prior to the start date of the course are subject to a $200 administration fee, and that cancellations after 2 weeks are not considered.
Contact Us
Students that have questions about this program should contact the Dean, Ms. Beatrice Traub-Werner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..