Adapting dialectical behaviour therapy skills training (DBT-ST) for adult ADHD (September 2025)

August 29 to 18, 2025 (on your own) 

Fridays, September 19 & 26, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

What time is this for me?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects around 3-5% of the population in adults (Barkley, 2018). There is emerging evidence that supports the efficacy of dialectical behavioural therapy skills training (DBT-ST) for adults with ADHD in coping with ADHD-related challenges (Fullen at al., 2020; Nimmo-Smith et al., 2020; Ulusoy et al., 2024). DBT-ST, originally developed by Linehan (2017), focuses on the principles of acceptance and change. DBT-ST teaches skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. In an adapted neurodivergence-informed approach, DBT-ST can help adults with ADHD develop awareness and foster self-acceptance, as well as empower them to cope with ADHD-related challenges while living in a neurotypical world. Occupational therapists can contextualize DBT-ST, delivered through group or individual therapy, using neurodiversity-affirming principles to promote the occupational participation of adults with ADHD. 

This workshop provides occupational therapists with the knowledge and skills to offer DBT-ST using a neurodivergence-informed approach to promote the occupational participation of adults with ADHD. A pre-recorded lecture will provide an overview of DBT-ST for adult ADHD. During the two-day workshop, each DBT-ST skill will be explored in depth in the context of adult ADHD: mindfulness skills training, distress tolerance skills, emotional regulation skills, and interpersonal effectiveness. Throughout the workshop, modalities such as lecture and theory, case studies, role play, small group discussions in breakout rooms, and large group discussions may be utilized to assist participants in applying and practicing DBT-ST.

Preliminary workshop agenda

Pre-recorded lecture: September 5 to 18, 2025

Day 1: Friday, September 19, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Day 2: Friday, September 26, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

*Rough timeline. Break and lunch breaks are fixed. Topic timelines may vary depending on progression.

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

1. Understand the current state of research evidence and theoretical basis for applying DBT-ST for adults with ADHD. 
2. Apply DBT-ST principles in a neurodivergence-informed approach. 
3. Adapt the core DBT skills of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to be neurodiversity-affirming for adults with ADHD. 
4. Teach these DBT skills to neurodivergent clients. 
5. Facilitate and empower clients to consider safety and trust in self-disclosure considerations in building a social support system.  

Target audience

Occupational therapist clinicians who are seeking a neurodivergence-informed approach to promote the occupational participation of adults with ADHD. Social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists, and case managers are also welcome to participate.

Prior to registering for this workshop, participants must have previously completed the CAOT workshop “Assessment and neurodiversity-affirming support strategies for adults with ADHD in occupational therapy practice - Level 1”, an equivalent training providing foundational knowledge on neurodiversity-affirming practice for adults with ADHD, or have at least 1 year of clinical experience of working with adults with ADHD. Previous experience and education in DBT is highly recommended (e.g., coursework, online training, on-the-job training).
Please note: Each participant is responsible to ensure they apply the information within the context of their licensure, provincial/territorial legislations, institution regulations, scope of practice, etc.

Client age group 

Adults (20-64 years old)

Areas of practice 

Autism/Neurodiversity, Mental Health, Psychotherapy  

Workshop level 

Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific practice area)

Language 

English

Presenters

Adam Ly, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Adam Ly, OT Reg. (Ont.) is a Registered Occupational Therapist practicing in London, Ontario, Canada. He specializes in helping adults who experience mild-moderate cognitive impairments, mental health, and return to work due to various conditions including mild traumatic brain injury, mood disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is a seasonal lecturer and clinical preceptor at Western University at the School of Occupational Therapy, an adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto in the Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Department, a workshop instructor through the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), and a trainer/mentor at CBI Health. He has several ADHD-related publications and conference presentations. He is a member of Neurodivergent Insights, a neurodiversity-affirming clinician support group. He has completed coursework and is currently under supervision at The Beck Institute in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and the Multi-Context approach by Dr. Joan Toglia.

Dr. Maryna Mammoliti, MD, FRCPC  

Dr. Maryna Mammoliti (she/her) is a psychiatrist who splits her time between London and Toronto, Ontario, practising comprehensive psychiatry (diagnosis, advocacy, therapy) with focus on psychotherapy, physician health, ADHD, developmental trauma and PTSD, as well as ER psychiatry at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She has completed her medical school training at University of Ottawa, followed by her 5-year Psychiatry residency at Western University. She was a former Psychiatry Section Chair at Ontario Medical Association (OMA). She currently holds an Adjunct Professor position at Western University, supervising residents and medical students for their psychiatry rotations. She has provided presentations on physician health and has co-presented on adult ADHD at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). She also has two co-published articles in the Canadian Journal of Physician Leadership (CJPL), one of which addresses ADHD in physicians. 

Registration fees

Early bird rates: Registration and payment completed by July 9, 2025

Regular rates: Registration and payment completed after July 9, 2025

Registration deadline:  September 19, 2025 at 9:59 a.m. (Eastern Time)

Please note that CAOT does not offer group registration fees. Pending sufficient space, CAOT offers late registration for workshops at the regular rate plus a $50 administration fee until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) two days prior to the workshop start date to ensure registrants receive access to the workshop login details and materials in the reminder email. 

*It may be more cost effective to become a CAOT Member or Associate rather than pay the non-member rate. See “Can a non-member register for a Workshop?” in our Professional Development FAQs to know which membership category you are eligible for.  

Included in your registration fee:

Online workshop, access to the recording for a period of 14 days following the workshop, electronic copy of presentation slide handouts, opportunity to network and make connections with other occupational therapists interested in this topic, electronic certificate of attendance.

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to education@caot.ca. All cancellation requests received by August 20, 2025 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be given after August 20, 2025. Substitutions and transfers requests received by August 20, 2025 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to education@caot.ca by 25 days following the end of the workshop for extended access to the recording (up to one month after the end of the workshop) or a one-time transfer to another offering of the same workshop if currently open for registration. 

CAOT reserves the right to modify the workshop title, description, registration dates and information on the workshop webpage. CAOT will notify participants on or before July 25, 2025 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a Workshop due to insufficient registration up until August 8, 2025. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt Workshops, change the timing of a Workshop, cancel a Workshop or change the technology for the Workshop due to the presenter no longer being able to present the Workshop, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of CAOT by notifying participants as soon as possible. If the Workshop is cancelled by CAOT, registrants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. CAOT will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by registrants as a result of any such changes.

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The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is committed to accessibility as expressed in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We provide an electronic copy of the handouts approximately one week ahead of time in multiple slide layouts, auto-generated closed captioning through Zoom (excluding breakout rooms), as well as access to the recording for two weeks following the workshop. If you require additional special arrangements for accessibility, please contact education@caot.ca or 1-800-434-2268.    

Please note that workshop is offered in English.