10 Hours / 10 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Behavioral Principles in DBT is presented by Michele Galietta, Ph.D. 

This program covers the principles of balancing change and acceptance strategies in DBT and discusses applying these strategies and principles to patients' lives. In addition, the importance of artfully and compassionately weaving together validation and change when working with individuals with pervasive emotion dysregulation is discussed.

As the “B” in DBT stands for “behavioral,” this program teaches foundational behavioral techniques. In addition, participants learn how to assess situations to figure out how to help patients solve their problems adaptively and reach their life goals. Therapeutic strategies (e.g., reinforcement, extinction, shaping) are reviewed, and examples of mental health and beyond are provided. Lastly, adaptions to standard DBT established to facilitate a therapeutic milieu are discussed. Clinical examples and role-play demonstrations are utilized to facilitate learning.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe Behavioral Principles in DBT
  • 2 Describe conducting DBT treatment with an individual client
  • 3 Demonstrate behavioral principles and apply them towards behavior change for one client
  • 4 Describe reinforcement and punishment strategies
  • 5 Describe shaping and extinction
  • 6 Describe restructuring cognitive strategies
  • 7 Describe egregious behavior protocol

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for clinicians who want to enhance their practical skills in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), especially those working with individuals experiencing significant emotion dysregulation. The program emphasizes behavioral interventions that support adaptive problem-solving and goal achievement, making it relevant for professionals who utilize comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatments in their practice. It is suitable for those specializing in emotion dysregulation and behavioral interventions, and is designed to strengthen DBT skills for a wide range of mental health professionals.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Social Worker
    • Case Manager
    • Nurse
    • Marriage & Family Therapist
    • Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who wish to strengthen their knowledge and application of behavioral principles within Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). It provides a structured foundation for those new to DBT as well as deeper integration skills for more experienced practitioners.

    • Beginner: Participants who are new to DBT or behavioral principles and are seeking foundational knowledge of key concepts such as reinforcement, punishment, shaping, extinction, and the integration of change and acceptance strategies. Focus is on understanding the behavioral underpinnings of DBT and their application to emotion regulation.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some familiarity or prior exposure to DBT principles who wish to enhance their ability to apply behavioral techniques and validation strategies with individuals experiencing pervasive emotion dysregulation. Emphasis is placed on linking behavioral analysis with skill acquisition and client motivation.

    • Advanced: Participants who have experience providing DBT-informed treatment and aim to refine their use of behavioral case conceptualization, troubleshoot therapy-interfering behaviors, and apply behavioral interventions flexibly in complex clinical presentations. Focus includes integrating advanced behavioral strategies into team consultation and supervision contexts.

  • Practice Setting

    Clinicians who participate in this training typically work in environments where they provide direct care to individuals experiencing significant emotion dysregulation. These settings often involve multidisciplinary teams and emphasize evidence-based, client-centered interventions. The practice environment may include outpatient mental health clinics, inpatient psychiatric units, community mental health centers, substance use treatment programs, hospitals, private practices, and residential treatment facilities. These professionals frequently engage in individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, and collaborative care, focusing on supporting clients in developing adaptive coping skills and achieving personal goals.

    • Outpatient mental health clinics
    • Inpatient psychiatric hospitals or units
    • Community mental health centers
    • Substance use disorder treatment programs
    • Private therapy practices
    • Residential treatment facilities
    • School-based mental health services
    • Integrated primary care/behavioral health settings

Presented By

Michele Galietta, PhD Associate Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Dr. Michele Galietta is Associate Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York where she served as Director of the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program from 2005-2013. Dr. Galietta is a researcher and clinician specializing in the training, adaptation and dissemination of empirically-supported treatments to community and forensic/correctional settings.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Michele Galietta, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Mindfulness Practice and Homework Review

  • Behavioral Principles in DBT Introduction

  • Didactic Strategies

  • Understanding Behavior- The Definitions

  • Reinforcement and Punishment, Shaping and Extinction, Getting Rid of a Behavior You Don't Like

  • Mindfulness and Chain Practice

  • Cognitive Strategies Restructuring

  • Exposure

  • Communication and Treatment Interfering Behaviors and Egregious Behavior Protocol

  • DBT in the Milieu

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.