LIU-Post’s Clinical Psychology program offers specialized training and research in and related to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT is an evidence-based treatment designed to address complex, difficult-to-treat clients with problems of emotional dysregulation. Launched in the fall of 2013, the weekly DBT lab offers its students both clinical and research opportunities in DBT. It acquaints members with the DBT fundamentals—its underlying principles of acceptance and change, as well as introduction to some of its essential skills that can be applied in professional practice (and, even to grad school life!). It also gives them the chance to hear upperclassmen talk about their experiences practicing DBT and clarify common misconceptions about the treatment. So far, research and clinical presentations at the lab have covered topics such as “DBT Whats And Hows,” “Western Versus Eastern Notions Of Happiness,” and “Distress Tolerance: Getting Through It Without Making It Worse.”
The lab also offers a window into DBT research as well as the general research/dissertation process. Students have the chance to hear and offer feedback on dissertation proposals, join existing research projects, and generate new research ideas in preparation for their dissertations. Some current projects include a mixed-methods study of the challenges that DBT practitioners face in their work with adolescents; the development of a shortened version of the Life Problems Inventory; and the impact of social media on teens.
Each lab meeting begins with a 5-minute mindfulness exercise. The lab meets on Thursdays from 5-6:15pm. For more information, or if you’d like to be on our mailing list, please email shannonyork3@gmail.com.