Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Part 1 - Foundation (2 sessions)
- Type: Online Workshops
- Trainers: Dr Sian Jeffery
- Date: 20th and 21st April 2023
- Part 2 - Advanced Skills (1 session)
- Type: Online Workshops
- Trainers: Dr Sian Jeffery
- Date: 9th June 2023
Focus of the online courses
Marsha Linehan and colleagues developed a systematic cognitive-behavioural treatment called Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for working with individuals who meet criteria for borderline personality disorder. The therapy aims to teach skills to improve emotional regulation which includes interpersonal skills, mindfulness and distress tolerance skills. Personal and environmental factors inhibit the use of behaviour skills that the individual possesses and frequently reinforce inappropriate behaviours. In individual treatment, DBT focuses on motivational issues and seeks to balance skill development with a supportive context that validates the person’s experiences.
However DBT also involves a considered focus on the therapeutic relationship and to therapy interfering behaviours. Examples of therapy interfering behaviours include the client’s poor compliance with aspects of the treatment contract, emotional withdrawal during sessions, missed appointments, and anger towards the therapist.
Participants are required to keep their cameras on during active sessions.
Meet the trainer

Dr Sian Jeffery is the Coordinator of the DBT programs at Fremantle Mental Health Service (FMHS) since 2009. She was involved in the establishment of the comprehensive year-long DBT program and a 20 week DBT skills group at FMHS.
Dr Jeffery has completed intensive DBT training with Behavioral Tech (Marsha Linehan’s research and training organisation), as well as with the Portland DBT Institute. She has been an invited reviewer for journal articles in this area and has provided numerous presentations and workshops on working with borderline personality disorder and DBT around Australia.
Dr Jeffery provides regular supervision in DBT and has consulted to a number of public and private services as they established their own DBT programs. Dr Jeffery is delighted to train more therapists in this highly effective methodology.
Testimonials
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
“Dr Jeffery is very engaging and provides variety of ideas to engage clients.” K.R.
“Excellent trainer, very open to questions.” O.Y.
“Excellent facilitation, great stories/examples & sense of humour!”
W.D.
“Dr Sian is a great presenter/engaging and practical – linked to things that could be used immediately in sessions.” J.C.
“Sian’s presentation style is great.” S.S.
“What was best? Everything!” L.E.