Getting to the Heart of the Problem: Targeting, Assessing and Solving Problem Behaviors

Training Description

Primary Objective: Assess problems and develop effective solutions.

This training is designed for experienced individual psychotherapists with solid familiarity with DBT to help them define client problems and develop effective solutions with clarity and precision.

One of the difficulties in treating complex clients is deciding how to spend session time when the client presents with multiple problem behaviors in a given week. Determining treatment priorities in the midst of unrelenting client crises can feel overwhelming and confusing even to the most experienced therapist, and can lead to diminished motivation for clinician and client alike. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps address this common problem by using a treatment hierarchy to prioritize behaviors to target in session. One function of targeting is to determine which behaviors need to be assessed and solved. Chain analyses set the stage for understanding behavior and intervening with increased precision and efficiency. A clear understanding of the options for solving problems, based on a well-formulated problem and clear assessment, can help clients and therapists experience success in treatment. This helps avoid the problems that many experience of inefficient use of time and feeling stuck in therapy. When done correctly, both you and your client will have a clear snapshot of the variables at work during a given behavior, highlight problematic behavioral patterns, and find new behaviors to put to work for your client.

This training is highly experiential and will include topics such as setting precise and appropriate treatment targets tailored to the patient’s clinical presentation, and conducting accurate chain and solution analyses. Instructors will utilize a combination of lecture, demonstration, and practice of DBT interventions. Participants will have multiple opportunities for hands-on practice throughout the workshop.

This training is intended for mental health professionals who have knowledge of, experience, and/or prior training in DBT, and want to advance their skills in targeting behaviors and conducting chain and solution analyses with clients with multiple problems.

Learning Objectives:

1.     Prioritize target behaviors for individual Stage 1 DBT sessions when clients present with multiple problems.
2.     Define problem behaviors specifically and behaviorally.
3.     Identify the critical variables influencing a problem behavior by use of chain analyses.
4.     Define and test hypotheses about problem behaviors.
5.     Explain the difference between chain and solution analyses.
6.     Conduct solution analyses.
7.     Troubleshoot common problems in implementing chain analysis procedures.

Schedule

Day 1

8:00 – 8:30 Registration, Sign-in
8:30 – 10:15 Importance of Targeting; DBT Primary Targets; Using Targets to Set Agenda and Determine What to Analyze
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 12:00 Purpose of and Orientation to Chain Analysis
12:00 – 13:15 Lunch (On your own)
13:15 – 14:45 Getting a Picture of the Problem Behavior
14:45 – 15:00 Break
15:00 – 16:15 Role Play; Practice
16:15 – 16:30 Q&A, Completion of Evaluation, & Sign-out

Day 2

8:00 – 8:30 Sign-in
8:30 – 10:15 Maintenance of Problem Behavior
10:15 – 10:30 Break
10:30 – 12:00 Determining Function & Testing Hypotheses
12:00 – 13:15 Lunch (On your own)
13:15 – 14:45 Solution Analysis
14:45 – 15:00 Break
15:00 – 16:00 Troubleshooting
16:00 – 16:30 Q&A, Completion of Evaluation, & Sign-out

CE NOTE: Behavioral Tech calculates the continuing education credits for this training by the start time and end time. 100 percent attendance is required, as is signing IN and OUT each morning and afternoon, to receive CE credits. Partial credits cannot be issued.

Trainers

Attend

Behavioral Tech, LLC is not responsible for any presenter’s or participant’s statements, acts, materials or omissions. The use of audio or video taping devices is not permitted at any training. We reserve the right to cancel the training or to change the speakers and content at our sole discretion.

Tuition
$295 – Early Bird Discounted Tuition – MUST register before August 1, 2019
$395– Regular Tuition Rate – all registration received on or after August 1, 2019

Cancellation, Substitutions, and Refunds
Registration fees, minus a $50 service charge, will be refunded to participants who send a written cancellation via mail to Behavioral Tech or via email to info@behavioraltech.org postmarked no less than 15 days before the training. No refunds will be made thereafter. A colleague may be substituted for no extra charge if Behavioral Tech, LLC is notified at least two business days before the training. For a complete list of Behavioral Tech policies, including how to address grievances, see policies.

Seat Availability for Onsite Events
The number of seats for our open-enrollment workshops and our application-based trainings is limited by the physical training space that is reserved for the event. Please complete your registration or submit your application at your earliest convenience, as we will not guarantee a seat for you until we have received your registration or tuition payment.

Special Accommodations
If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Behavioral Tech at 206.675.8588
four weeks prior to the training so that we may provide you with appropriate service.

Technical Requirements

Co-hosted by: Yale New Haven Hospital

Training Location:
Yale New Haven Hospital
Cronin Auditorium
1450 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT  06511

Continuing Education

This offering meets the requirements for the following hours by discipline. Licensing and continuing education requirements vary by state. Please contact your state’s regulatory authority to verify if this course meets your licensing or continuing education requirements. Inquiries regarding CE for other disciplines not listed may be directed to Behavioral Tech at (206) 675-8589 or via email to CE@behavioraltech.org. And for general CE questions, you can review answers to continuing education FAQs or contact us.

CE NOTE: Behavioral Tech calculates the continuing education credits for this training by the start time and end time. 100 percent attendance is required, as is signing IN and OUT each morning and afternoon, to receive CE credits. Partial credits cannot be issued.