DBT Comprehensive | How the Programs Work

The time commitment varies, depending on what part of the program you are in.

DBT Foundational - DBT Foundational is a self-paced course, broken down into 12 sections. We have deliberately designed the course with 'bite-sized' lessons to enable flexibility. You can complete the course content over a few days or in blocks of time spread throughout the 12-month access period.

During your program, you will also be required to meet with your DBT team and, if you are completing the Intensive or Intensive Plus program, attend sessions with your DBT expert (20 hours total).

You may need to be online at specific times, depending on the specific learning pathway in which you are enrolled. This is because the learning and activities are presented through a variety of formats, and some program pathways have specific live, real-time participation requirements.  

• Foundational: You do not have to be online at specific times. DBT Foundational will be available on your start date after your application is complete. You can work through the lessons, readings, and exercises at your own pace during the program, and will have a total of 12 months of access from your start date. 

• Intensive: DBT Foundational online course content will be available on your start date after your team’s application is complete,  and you can access the content during the week at a time that is convenient for you. You can work through the lessons, readings, and exercises at your own pace during the program.

  During the consultation part of your program, you must be available at a specific time, along with all members of your DBT consultation team on average every two weeks to participate in the consultation session with your DBT expert. This component of the program begins during the early portion of your Foundational Course and continues through the remaining twelve months of the program. 

• Intensive Plus: DBT Foundational online course content will be available on your start date after you have been matched with a team, and you can access the content during the week at a time that is convenient for you. You can work through the lessons, readings, and exercises at your own pace during the program. As part of the Team Formation sessions, you must be available at a specific time for each of these sessions, along with all members of your DBT consultation team.

  During the next part of your program, you must be available at a specific time to meet with your team once per week and every two weeks to participate in the consultation session with your DBT expert. This portion of the program begins during the Foundational Course and continues through the remaining twelve months of the program. 

There are readings and exercises woven throughout the program to assist you in practicing your new skills and implementing the lessons. Some of the readings and homework can be completed concurrently with the Foundational online course; other homework cannot be completed until the online course is complete and you are in the additional homework period. 

There is a document in the library titled Part A Foundational Homework Assignments which you should print out and use as a checklist to tick off the assignments as you complete them. 

There are required readings for this online training. The first three books in this list are included with the cost of the Foundational program and will be available in your course library as downloadable PDFs on the course start date. In addition, the fourth book in this list is included with the purchase of the Intensive or Intensive Plus learning pathway, and will also be available as a PDF within your course library.

Required Reading - provided free as downloadable books

1.  Linehan, M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. New York: Guilford Press. 

2.  Linehan, M. (2015). DBT skills training manual. New York: Guilford Press.

3.  Linehan, M. (2015). DBT skills training handouts and worksheets. New York: Guilford Press.

4. Sayrs, J., Linehan, M. (2019). DBT Teams: Development and Practice. New York: Guilford Press

You will also have access to an online Resource Library that includes free, helpful handouts and reference materials. 

All participants are expected to meet the course completion requirements to receive a letter of completion and continuing education credit. Depending on which portion(s) of the program you miss, you may have several options available to you to still meet the completion requirements and earn a letter of completion; however, continuing education boards have specific standards for attendance, so missing portions of training may jeopardize your ability to receive continuing education credit. If you know in advance that you will miss a meeting or consultation, please advise your team and your DBT expert trainer.

Remember, you DO NOT have to complete the weekly online coursework in a single sitting. You can take your time within each week, but please don't fall too far behind because we cannot provide extensions. You will have the most success in the program if you stay current with the weekly online lessons, readings, and exercises.

In addition, participants must attend their weekly DBT consultation team meetings, regardless of which learning pathway they are enrolled in.  

Participants who are enrolled in the program are encouraged to contact the Psychwire Support Team as soon as they are aware that they cannot complete the program. We will work with you to determine what alternatives might be available to you. Contact us at support@psychwire.com