Come diventare terapeuti DBT

Become a DBT Therapist

Becoming a DBT therapist is a process that involves training, motivation, and commitment.

A DBT therapist works according to DBT principles and techniques. This involves a combination of recognized theoretical and practical training, as well as continuous updates on the developments in treatment from clinical, research, and training perspectives. DBT is, in fact, a dynamic therapeutic system based on scientific evidence.

SIDBT organizes a number of training program that leads from education to therapeutic competence.

First Step

Attend the introductory workshop on DBT; two days of training for getting a comprehensive overview of DBT, giving you a first exposure to help you understand your motivation and interest in the treatment model. During the workshop, you can approach the trainer to ask questions and get guidance on how to continue.

Second Step

Find colleagues (at least 3) to form a team that will together undergo the advanced training of the intensive training, or join an existing team and register for the intensive training as an individual participant affiliated with a team. Forming a team or affiliating with an existing team (a list of all operational clinical centers can be found on the website) is a substantial and not just formal act; with your team colleagues, you will carry out your work as a DBT therapist, which is co-therapy work, ‘a community of therapists treating a community of patients.’ After years of experimentation and experience with severe and multi-problematic patients, coordinated team work in DBT is considered essential for the protection of both patients and therapists.

Third Step

Start your work as a DBT therapist; this begins in a monitored form during the intensive training between the first and second parts and continues afterward. Remember that SIDBT-ETS offers free clinical work supervision on an annual basis, and paid supervision whenever needed

Fourth Step

Become an expert DBT therapist; if you wish, you can actively work towards becoming a mentor supervisor and eventually a DBT Trainer. Reach out to the trainers or the Presidency to find out how to proceed.