The Nuts and Bolts of DBT: Practical Skills for Every Clinician
Tammy Berman MS, LMHC, NCC
Description: Many clinicians encounter clients who struggle with emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, self-harm, or interpersonal difficulties, but they may feel unsure about how to integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into their practice or when to refer clients for more intensive DBT services. This interactive presentation breaks down the fundamental components of DBT, offering practical guidance on how to structure DBT-informed individual therapy, reinforce skill use, and collaborate effectively with DBT providers. Attendees will also gain confidence in addressing self-injury through DBT’s functional approach, which helps clients replace harmful behaviors with effective coping strategies. By the end of this session, participants will have the tools they need to incorporate DBT principles into their work and better support their clients.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the foundational components of DBT, including its core philosophy and treatment structure.
- Apply a DBT-informed framework in individual therapy, including the use of diary cards, behavior chain analysis, and skill reinforcement.
- Determine when a client may benefit from DBT skills training, DBT-informed therapy, or comprehensive DBT, and make appropriate referrals.
- Effectively address self-injury using DBT principles, including functional assessment of behavior and identifying alternative coping strategies.
CEU Workshop Agenda
11:00 am Registration and networking
11:30 am Self-introductions
Noon Presentation starts
12:45 pm Lunch and networking
1:15 pm Presentation continues
2:15 pm Workshop ends
2.0 General CEU Hours
Tammy Berman MS, LMHC, NCC, is a licensed mental health counselor, National Board Certified Counselor, Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, Qualified Parenting Coordinator, Accredited Collaborative Professional and Qualified Supervisor for Mental Health Counselors. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma recovery, high-conflict family dynamics, parental alienation, and collaborative law.
She completed the highest level of DBT training available during 2004-2005 through Behavioral Tech, founded by Marsha Linehan, and has continued advanced training and consultation in DBT to refine her expertise. Her expertise also includes helping people through the divorce process, parenting coordination, reunification therapy, trauma-informed care, and conflict resolution, helping individuals and families navigate self-harm, emotion dysregulation, and relational challenges.
As the founder of My Counseling Connections, Tammy integrates DBT principles, mediation skills, and trauma-responsive care to help clients build emotional resilience and improve relationships. She holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University and an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario.
She is also committed to professional education and collaboration, having delivered trainings and presentations on DBT applications, collaborative law process, and the role of mental health professionals in collaborative divorce. Her work focuses on bridging mental health and legal systems, providing structured, evidence-based interventions to support both clients and professionals.
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