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In Person
Innovations in Mental Health Conference in Minnesota

DBT Adaptations for Working with Teens and Families

Tana Welter, MSW, LICSW
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Date & Time

Description

This presentation highlights practical ways to adapt and apply Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills when working with adolescents and caregivers outside of fully adherent DBT programs. Attendees will build confidence in their ability to be flexible and creative when using DBT strategies with adolescents and caregivers, while maintaining fidelity to the core principles.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify the five sets of DBT skills in working with adolescents (Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Walking the Middle Path, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness).

  • Identify core components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and describe how they can be adapted for use in non-adherent, real-world clinical settings with adolescents and caregivers.

  • Implement at least three DBT skills or strategies in ways that fit diverse clinical environments and client needs.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop highlights the significant barriers to accessing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), particularly in rural and smaller communities where full programs are scarce, leading to a treatment gap for teens in need of immediate skills for emotional regulation and crisis management. Additionally, while many clinicians are eager to implement DBT techniques, strict adherence expectations often prevent them from utilizing these effective tools, further exacerbating the lack of accessible support for adolescents.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Tana Welter, MSW, LICSW
Tana Welter, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in adolescent and family therapy. She currently works as a mental health therapist and clinical supervisor at Sentier Psychotherapy, a mid-size group counseling clinic in St. Paul. She values walking alongside families in the difficult spaces—especially during the teenage years—helping each person feel seen and valued as they work toward meaningful change. Tana is especially passionate about helping clients take what they learn in the therapy space out "into the wild"...their everyday lives! She focuses on equipping clients with realistic, usable tools so they can navigate their day-to-day with greater confidence and feel more in control of their emotions. She is an enthusiastic, all-in kind of person and brings that into her work as a clinician and supervisor.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Newport Healthcare