*Self-Study courses from NASW-TX are accessible for 30 days from the purchase date. You must complete the course within that timeframe to receive your CEUs.

*Please check with the regulatory board in the state(s) where you are licensed to ensure this course meets continuing education requirements.

Background

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment that emphasizes skills development and problem-solving. Originally created for borderline personality disorder, DBT has since expanded to treat various mental health issues. Its goals include helping clients be present, regulate emotions, build better relationships, and manage stress. DBT focuses on four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Social workers, particularly those in supervision, often face overwhelming emotions and complex cases. Clinical supervisors play a crucial role in developing their supervisees' skills, competence, and confidence. By integrating DBT skills into supervision, supervisors can help their teams manage emotions and enhance practice, ultimately improving client care.

Course Objectives

After the completion of this training, social workers will have discovered methods of utilizing DBT skills in the provision of clinical supervision and reinforced the need for the effective use of DBT in clinical practice with clients. Participants will learn how to:

1. Apply DBT theory to develop supervision goals that align with client-based DBT goals while addressing the depth and intensity of clinical supervision.
2. Examine and process the thin line between effective self-awareness and unhealthy self-absorption that hinders clinical skill development and creates barriers in rapport and authenticity. 
3. Discuss the importance of distress tolerance in clinical practice as a factor in self-care. The skills involved in interpersonal effectiveness are crucial for both supervisors and supervisees with a focus on communication skills and utilization of constructive feedback.

Topics Include:

• Foundations of DBT in Clinical Supervision – Overview of DBT principles and their application in supervisory relationships.
• Ethical Considerations and Best Practices in DBT-Informed Supervision – Maintaining professional integrity while applying DBT strategies. 
• Distress Tolerance for Supervisors and Supervisees – Managing emotional challenges and stress in clinical practice, as part of competency-based self-care.
• Promoting Self-Regulation – Encouraging mindfulness, radical acceptance, self-soothing practice, and interpersonal effectiveness by relational style examination.
• The Role of Culture on Professional Identity Formation – How social work “culture” and personal culture impacts professional identity formation
• Developing Supervision Goals Using DBT Frameworks – Aligning supervision objectives with DBT’s client-focused goals.
• Emotion Regulation in Supervision – Helping supervisees develop emotional resilience and avoid burnout.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness in Supervision – Enhancing communication, conflict resolution, and feedback strategies.
• Balancing Self-Awareness and Professional Growth – Avoiding self-absorption while fostering authentic professional development.
• Teaching and Modeling DBT Skills – Strategies for integrating DBT principles into case discussions and client interventions.

SUPPORT:

• Trouble registering for an event? Contact InReach Tech Support at the contact information at the bottom of this page.
• Can’t log in to your NASW Member account? Contact NASW Member Services at 800-742-4089 or membership@socialworkers.org. 
• To request a refund, please contact InReach through email or call (877) 880-1335 with your order details. Refunds are available only for courses that have not been started and must be requested within 30 days of the original purchase date.