The CMHR was proud to host Dr. Michelle Leybman, a clinical research psychologist from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto in her half-day workshop on “An Introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy”. Speaking to a packed room of faculty, graduate students, researchers, and community mental health providers, Dr. Leybman presented a thoughtful and engaging educational experience for all in attendance.
Using a combination of lecture, interactive case discussions, and video, Dr. Leybman explained Dialectical Behaviour Therapy’s biosocial model and theoretical basis and described selected acceptance and change strategies. She also engaged those in attendance in discussions of many of the specific challenges of working with clients who have emotion dysregulation and the added challenge of working with them using a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy orientation.
After reflecting on the workshop, Psychology clinical graduate student Kevin Barber commented, “This workshop was an excellent opportunity to receive an introduction to a treatment modality that is currently highly valued and shows promise in its utility.” Similarly, fellow graduate student Kevin Capobianco reflected, “Dr. Leybman made a strong case for the usefulness of DBT and demonstrated how important it can be to balance change and validation.”
