1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on DBT in the Milieu: A Quick Overview for Administrators is presented by Michele Galietta, Ph.D. 

This program focuses on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in the milieu as a shared therapeutic approach. The benefits of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and how DBT is consistent with TIC are discussed. The program includes an introduction to staff education and support meetings, which helps staff train and embody DBT skills. A brief overview of the biosocial theory, general DBT research outcomes, and DBT assumptions are discussed. Validation is defined, and examples of what to validate and why it is therapeutic are reviewed. Lastly, the elements of DBT in the milieu are taught (e.g., egregious behavior protocol, incentive system, behavior chain analysis, etc.).

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the skills in DBT to effectively manage milieus to increase safety and collaboration with patients
  • 2 Describe the importance of a unified therapeutic approach
  • 3 Describe the elements of DBT Milieu

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and allied professionals who wish to implement Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in therapeutic milieus. It is ideal for those specializing in clinical psychology, counseling, social work, or psychiatric care, especially professionals with expertise or interest in trauma-informed care, behavioral interventions, and staff training or development.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Clinical psychologists
    • Counselors and therapists
    • Social workers
    • Psychiatric nurses and nurse practitioners
    • Psychiatrists
    • Allied mental health professionals
    • Professionals involved in staff training and program development

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for a range of experience levels among licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals.

    • Beginner: Participants new to DBT or trauma-informed care will gain foundational knowledge of DBT principles, trauma-informed approaches, and the basics of implementing DBT in the milieu.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in DBT or milieu management will deepen their understanding of integrating DBT with trauma-informed care, enhance their skills in staff education and support, and apply DBT elements to increase safety and collaboration.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals apply DBT within structured, team-based therapeutic milieus that emphasize safety, collaboration, and consistent behavioral interventions throughout daily routines.

    They work in trauma-informed environments where DBT skills, validation, and clear protocols are embedded in policies and staff interactions, supported by ongoing education and staff support meetings.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Inpatient psychiatric units
    • Residential treatment centers and group homes
    • Partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs
    • Community mental health clinics and crisis stabilization programs
    • School-based programs and university counseling centers
    • Juvenile justice/forensic and correctional behavioral health
    • Integrated primary care/behavioral health clinics and FQHCs
    • VA and military mental health services
Presented By

Michele Galietta, PhD

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. Her areas of clinical expertise include the assessment and treatment of trauma, self-harm, and suicide across the lifespan. Dr. Galietta has created specialized units and/or consulted to numerous civil, forensic, and correctional settings on risk assessment, risk management, behavioral interventions, and complex needs case formulation.

Dr. Galietta is regarded as a leading expert in the implementation of dialectical behavior therapy. Dr. Galietta is a certified DBT clinician. For over a decade, Dr. Galietta served as a principal trainer for Behavioral Tech, LLC, the company founded by the developer of DBT, Dr. Marsha Linehan. Dr. Galietta has consulted to over 100 agencies in the US and abroad on DBT initiatives. She has worked extensively in public sector settings including state psychiatric hospitals and jails, prisons, and juvenile justice settings. She was principal investigator of an NIMH funded trial of DBT for individuals charged with interpersonal violence or stalking and authored the article, “Adapting DBT for the Treatment of Psychopathy.” She has conducted trainings for New York City Police Officers on mindfulness, communicating with mentally ill individuals, and hostage negotiations. Dr. Galietta has appeared on CNN and Court TV, and has been cited in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Time Magazine, and other media outlets.


Click the Icon Below to View More Programs by this Presenter

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • An introduction to staff education and support meetings

  • A brief overview of the biosocial theory

  • General DBT research outcomes

  • DBT assumptions are discussed

  • Validation is defined

  • Examples of what to validate and why it is therapeutic are reviewed

  • The elements of DBT in the milieu are taught

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).

Sponsorship Approval Statements

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), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #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. Palo Alto University 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. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by 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.