10 Hours / 10 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Forensic Applications of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is presented by Michele Galietta, Ph.D. 

This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Certificate and share your new digital credentials with prospective employers and colleagues. It is the 6th of 7 programs in this certification.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral therapy designed for severe and multi-diagnostic patients. While it was initially developed for women with chronic suicidality and borderline personality disorder, it is increasingly used in various health settings for a breadth of "difficult-to-treat" patients. Since the 1990s, DBT has been subjected to numerous clinical trials and adapted for various populations, including adolescents and forensic inpatients and outpatients. Comprehensive DBT has been found to have practical utility for reducing violence and self-harm. In addition, it can reduce problem behaviors in individual clients and stabilize the milieu by employing eastern principles of acceptance and compassion paired with careful behaviorism. 

This program provides participants with a thorough introduction to standard DBT and the specific adaptations and strategies beneficial for adults and juveniles in forensic settings (e.g., jails/prisons, forensic hospitals, juvenile justice settings, and probation). In addition, the research supporting comprehensive DBT in forensic settings is discussed.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe standard comprehensive DBT
  • 2 Describe adaptations to standard DBT (e.g., Day Treatment, Inpatient, Substance Use)
  • 3 Describe research on forensic and correctional applications of DBT
  • 4 Describe basic structural elements of comprehensive DBT as applied to adults and juveniles in forensic and correctional settings
  • 5 Describe obstacles and drivers of successful implementation of DBT in forensic and correctional settings
  • 6 Describe the theoretical foundations of DBT, including biosocial theory, behavioral principles, and dialectical strategies, as applied in forensic and correctional settings
  • 7 Describe the roles and functions of the DBT consultation team in supporting effective treatment delivery in forensic and correctional environments

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for professionals specializing in forensic psychology, correctional mental health, or clinical work with justice-involved populations who are interested in learning or enhancing their skills in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) within forensic and correctional settings. It is designed for those working with individuals in the justice system, offering practical knowledge and skills for applying DBT principles in forensic contexts.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Mental health professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Social workers
    • Counselors
    • Therapists
    • Case managers

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of familiarity with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in forensic and correctional settings.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to DBT or have limited experience applying DBT principles and interventions, especially in forensic or correctional environments.

    • Intermediate: Participants have foundational knowledge of DBT and some experience implementing DBT strategies, and are seeking to deepen their understanding of adaptations and research specific to forensic and correctional settings.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience with DBT, including its application in forensic or correctional settings, and are interested in advanced strategies, research, and implementation challenges for complex populations.

  • Practice Setting

    Practice occurs in secure, highly structured clinical environments embedded within the justice system, where care is coordinated with custody staff and legal stakeholders under strict safety and documentation protocols. Providers deliver DBT-informed assessment, skills groups, individual therapy, and crisis/risk management for adults and juveniles with complex needs, emphasizing milieu stabilization and reduction of self-harm and violence.
    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • County and state jails or prisons
    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals and secure inpatient units
    • Juvenile detention centers and residential justice programs
    • Community corrections clinics serving probation or parole
    • Problem-solving/mental health courts and diversion programs
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.


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Earning a Certificate

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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.