Integrating dialectical behaviour therapy skills to enhance occupational therapy practice (April 23, 2027)

Online Workshop

April 23, 2027 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Presented by: Bronwyn Fontaine and Nadia MacKinnon

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and its adaptations have been identified as an effective treatment for a variety of populations, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviour, eating disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, and bipolar disorder (Rizvi et al., 2024). The goal of DBT is to “learn and refine skills in changing behavioral, emotional and thinking patterns associated with problems in living that are causing misery and distress” (Linehan, 1993, p.14). Utilizing a DBT-informed theoretical lens, occupational therapists are in a unique position to provide clients the tools to increase effectiveness in regulating intense emotional states, cope in crisis situations, and participate in valued occupations that support a life worth living. 

 
This workshop will improve your understanding of the theory, application, and evidence supporting DBT-informed interventions and your confidence in incorporating teaching these skills in occupational therapy practice. During this workshop, you will be presented with a review of current literature, an overview of DBT skills, as well as a description of an evidence-based occupational therapist-led adolescent DBT program developed by the presenters. You will then work through case examples in small groups to better understand how to apply DBT-informed intervention and discuss as a larger group how these skills can be interwoven into many different areas of practice to promote occupational participation. 

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

1. Demonstrate an increased understanding of the theory, application, and evidence supporting dialectical behaviour therapy-informed intervention.
2. Describe the effect of emotion dysregulation on occupational participation.
3. Identify how DBT theory and interventions align with occupational therapy approaches.
4. Name and describe three DBT skills.
5. State two ways you can incorporate DBT skills teaching into your practice to promote occupational participation.

Registration fees

Target audience and language

Target audience

This workshop is ideal for occupational therapists and students in occupational therapy programs who wish to increase their knowledge of DBT theory and evidence and to feel more confident knowing how to integrate DBT skills teaching in occupational therapy practice. 
Although the presenters’ experience primarily focuses on adolescents and young adults in a private mental health setting, the DBT skills can be tailored to children and older adults and in various practice settings..

Areas of practice 
Dependence and substance use health, Forensic mental health and corrections, Mental health, Neurodiversity, Psychotherapy

Client age groups
Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)

Level
Beginner (0-2 years of experience with DBT)

Language
English

Preliminary workshop agenda

April 23, 2027 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

12:00 - 2:00 p.m. (ET)	Review DBT theory and current literature Overview of DBT skills
2:00  - 2:15 p.m. (ET)	Break
2:15 - 4:00 p.m. (ET)	How to integrate DBT into occupational therapy practice, including case study review and small group discussions

 

Presenter(s)

Bronwyn Fontaine, O.T. Reg. (MB)

Bronwyn is the co-founder of Middle Path Therapy and a Registered Occupational Therapist with 17 years of experience providing mental health services in Manitoba. She has extensive training and experience in group facilitation and
individual therapy, as well as formal training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy through Behavioral Tech. Bronwyn works with individuals experiencing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorder. In addition
to her clinical work, Bronwyn facilitates workshops and educational sessions for professionals, families, and community groups. She is also an instructor in the Master of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Manitoba’s
College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

Nadia MacKinnon, O.T. Reg. (MB)

Nadia is the co-founder of Middle Path Therapy and a Registered Occupational Therapist with 19 years of experience providing mental health services in Manitoba. She has training and experience in group facilitation and individual therapy,
as well as formal training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech. Nadia works with individuals experiencing mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and borderline personality disorder. In addition to her clinical
work, Nadia facilitates workshops and educational sessions for professionals, families, and community groups. She is also a guest lecturer and instructor in the Master of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Manitoba’s
College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

  

Workshops are recorded! Your registration includes:

• Individual participation in a live workshop and opportunity to ask questions
• Handout of PowerPoint presentation
• Opportunities to network with other occupational therapists with an interest in this topic
• Access to the workshop recording for 1 month following the live sessions
• Certificate of completion

Cancellation/refund policy

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to [email protected]. All cancellation requests received by April 7, 2027 will be given a full refund minus a $50.00 administrative fee. Substitutions and transfers requests received by April 7, 2027 are permitted and are subject to a $50.00 administrative fee.

No refunds will be given after April 7, 2027.  

If you are exceptionally unable to complete the workshop, please reach out to [email protected] 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 March 11, 2027 if there is insufficient registration by that date and reserves the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient registration up until March 25, 2027. CAOT reserves the right to modify the offering, interrupt workshops, change the timing of a workshop, change the technology for the workshop, or postpone or cancel a 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 Therapy (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 [email protected] or 1-800-434-2268.