DBT Training Calendar
DBT: The Basics (Foundation Training Part 1)
September 8 – October 6, 2025
Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
DBT: The Basics (Foundation Training Part 2)
November 17 – December 8, 2025
Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Complex PTSD
November 18 – December 10, 2025
Dr. Martin Bohus, MD., & Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
DBT: The Basics (Foundation Training Part 1)
January 12 – February 2, 2026
Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
DBT: The Basics (Foundation Training Part 2)
March 2 – March 23, 2026
Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
DBT: Individual Therapy
April 20 – June 8, 2026
Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
DBT: Skills Training
September 14 – October 26, 2026
Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
DBT: Consultation Team
November 16 – December 7, 2026
Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
DBT Comprehensive Training (Certificate Program)
Dr. Shelley McMain leads a Certificate Program in Dialectical Behavior Therapy at the Centre for MindBody Health. This training is for those wanting to learn DBT at an intensive level to better implement the treatment model in their practice. This Certificate Program offers two foundation courses followed by three specialized courses. This five-course program is designed to train clinicians seeking advanced learning in DBT. You may also take courses individually to concentrate on specific topics. Each course provides rigorous content, applied training exercises, and the resources/ templates to execute DBT therapy and skills groups.
Learning Objectives
- Explain DBT’s biosocial theory, theoretical underpinnings and treatment principles.
- Create and employ DBT treatment plans for clients based on a DBT-informed case formulation.
- Implement a range of DBT strategies including validation, problem assessment and solution analysis, dialectics, structural, and motivational strategies.
- Apply the skills from DBT skills modules: Core Mindfulness; Interpersonal Effectiveness; Emotion Regulation; and Distress Tolerance.
- Plan and execute a DBT Consultation Team and deploy DBT techniques to constantly improve team functioning.
Certificate vs. Certification
The Center for MindBody Health’s Certificate in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specialized training program on an essential therapeutic practice. It is designed for those wanting to learn DBT at an intensive level and for those wanting to better implement the treatment model in their profession.
Certification differs from a certificate. The Centre for MindBody Health DBT Certificate Program attests to the completion of an educational program. It does not involve an assessment of what was retained or what is put into practice.
As part of the requirements of certification for DBT, you are required to complete a minimum of 40 didactic training hours specific to DBT. The Centre for MindBody Health DBT Certificate Program prepares you for DBT certification. Completion of the DBT Certificate Program is different than being a Certified DBT Clinician.
Certification in DBT is attained through the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC). You can review the requirements for certification on the DBT-LBC website to assess your readiness.
Cohort 1: September 8, 15, 29 and October 6, 2025
Cohort 2: January 12, 19, 26 and February 2, 2026
Mondays 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (ET)
Online via Zoom
Facilitated by: Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
REGISTRATION FOR COHORT 2 OPENING SOON
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is designed to help people with multiple disorders learn to effectively cope with painful emotions and increase behavioral control. This course will introduce you to the DBT model, its fundamental principles and core treatment strategies. Treating clients with multiple problems can be difficult and you’ll learn to keep your clients positively engaged and working toward their long-term goals. Through lectures, multimedia, role-play and discussion, you’ll emerge better equipped in your clinical work to effectively and compassionately respond to your clients.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS COURSE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Explain the biosocial theory behind Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
- Structure treatment according to level of severity and prioritize treatment targets.
- Enhance motivation and commitment to treatment goals.
- Identify different ways of expressing validation.
- Coach clients through obstacles that arise during treatment.
Registrants will retain access to the course material and recordings of all classes for 30 days after the course concludes. All registrants will be able to download core content (PPT or PDF) and view recordings of classes. Class recordings cannot be downloaded.
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Shelley McMain, C. Psych., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Head of the Borderline Personality Disorder Clinic and a Clinician Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Co-Founder of the Centre for MindBody Health in Toronto. She is a clinician, educator and researcher and a Certified DBT Practitioner. Dr. McMain is recognized as a leader in DBT in Canada and internationally. She conducts research in DBT, personality disorders, emotion regulation, suicide and self-harm, substance abuse, and psychotherapy process and outcomes. She has delivered 300+ conferences, colloquia, grand rounds, and trainings, and is widely recognized for her excellence in DBT training. Read Shelley’s full bio here.
DETAILS AT A GLANCE:
- Registration Options:
- E-Transfer: $575 CAD+HST (no additional Eventbrite fees applicable)
- Eventbrite: $575 CAD+HST (Eventbrite fees applicable)
- Delivery: Online via Zoom. This course has a live online component which will be recorded for review.
- Audience: Multi-disciplinary mental health professionals interested in treating complex PTSD using evidence-based principles and procedures. Basic knowledge of DBT is recommended.
CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) CREDITS:
- OPA: Pending Approval for 8 CE credits for psychological practitioners.
- OAMHP: Pending Approval for 8 CE credits for mental health professionals.
- MDPAC: Pending Approval for 8 hours of MDPAC Group CE credits and 1 hour of MDPAC CCI credits (automatically calculated when MDPAC member submits Group CE hours).
CANCELLATION POLICY: We will allow refunds that are requested 7 days prior to the event start date. Attendees can request a refund through Eventbrite.
CMBH reserves the right to cancel workshops due to unforeseen circumstances.
PREREQUISITE(S)/ RECOMMENDATIONS: Registrants should have foundational concepts of mental health through disciplines such as nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work, etc.
CERTIFICATE(S): This course is applicable to the following CMBH Certificate – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
REGISTRATION FOR COHORT 2 OPENING SOON
Cohort 1: November 17, 24, December 1 and 8, 2025
Cohort 2: March 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2026
Mondays 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (ET)
Online via Zoom
Facilitated by: Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
REGISTRATION FOR COHORT 1 OPENING SOON
REGISTRATION FOR COHORT 2 OPENING SOON
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
If you already know the basics of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), this course will take you deeper into the underlying theory and its core treatment strategies. You’ll use in-depth chain analyses to better understand problems and plan your treatment approach. You’ll learn how to manage in-session problem behavior, strengthen validation strategies and decrease polarization. You’ll acquire skills you can apply within a full DBT program or within other psychotherapeutic approaches. You’ll emerge better equipped to help clients with multiple disorders.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS COURSE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Construct an individualized case formulation
- Recognize key links in a chain analysis and integrate this information with previous behavioural analyses
- Generate a solution analysis
- Recognize in-session self-invalidation and emotion vulnerability and describe strategies that can modify these in-session behaviours
- List a range of dialectical strategies to reduce polarization
Registrants will retain access to the course material and recordings of all classes for 30 days after the course concludes. All registrants will be able to download core content (PPT or PDF) and view recordings of classes. Class recordings cannot be downloaded.
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Shelley McMain, C. Psych., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Head of the Borderline Personality Disorder Clinic and a Clinician Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Co-Founder of the Centre for MindBody Health in Toronto. She is a clinician, educator and researcher and a Certified DBT Practitioner. Dr. McMain is recognized as a leader in DBT in Canada and internationally. She conducts research in DBT, personality disorders, emotion regulation, suicide and self-harm, substance abuse, and psychotherapy process and outcomes. She has delivered 300+ conferences, colloquia, grand rounds, and trainings, and is widely recognized for her excellence in DBT training. Read Shelley’s full bio here.
DETAILS AT A GLANCE
- Fee: $575 CAD+HST+Eventbrite Fees
- Delivery: Online via Zoom. This course has a live online component which will be recorded for review.
- Audience: Multi-disciplinary mental health professionals interested in treating complex PTSD using evidence-based principles and procedures. Basic knowledge of DBT is recommended.
CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) CREDITS:
- OPA: Pending Approval for 8 CE credits for psychological practitioners.
- OAMHP: Pending Approval for 8 CE credits for mental health professionals.
- MDPAC: Pending Approval for 8 hours of MDPAC Group CE credits and 1 hour of MDPAC CCI credits (automatically calculated when MDPAC member submits Group CE hours).
CANCELLATION POLICY: We will allow refunds that are requested 7 days prior to the event start date. Attendees can request a refund through Eventbrite.
Refunds will not be issued after November 10, 2025. CMBH reserves the right to cancel workshops due to unforeseen circumstances.
PREREQUISITE(S)/ RECOMMENDATIONS: Registrants should have foundational concepts of mental health through disciplines such as nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work, etc.
CERTIFICATE(S): This course is applicable to the following CMBH Certificate – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
REGISTRATION FOR COHORT 1 OPENING SOON
REGISTRATION FOR COHORT 2 OPENING SOON
April 20, 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1 and 8, 2026
Mondays 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (ET)
Online via Zoom
Facilitated by: Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
REGISTRATION OPENING SOON
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Enhance your individual Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) practice with this hands-on course. You’ll get advanced training in problem analysis, case formulation and treatment design. You’ll work through real cases – including your own – and present clinical questions. Each two-hour session combines theory, practice and experiential exercises such as skills-modeling, role-playing and consultation. You’ll hone the DBT knowledge and skills you’ve already acquired to correctly analyze a client’s situation, design solutions that address their discomfort, increase validation and address issues that arise during treatment.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS COURSE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Conduct a comprehensive chain analysis and construct a treatment plan that addresses specific behaviors.
- Blend advanced problem-solving strategies with validation strategies.
- Use the six levels of validation to manage client distress.
- Address maladaptive primary emotions and contingency problems in treatment.
- Implement phone-coaching strategies and apply suicide-crisis protocols.
Registrants will retain access to the course material and recordings of all classes for 30 days after the course concludes. All registrants will be able to download core content (PPT or PDF) and view recordings of classes. Class recordings cannot be downloaded.
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Shelley McMain, C. Psych., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Head of the Borderline Personality Disorder Clinic and a Clinician Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Co-Founder of the Centre for MindBody Health in Toronto. She is a clinician, educator and researcher and a Certified DBT Practitioner. Dr. McMain is recognized as a leader in DBT in Canada and internationally. She conducts research in DBT, personality disorders, emotion regulation, suicide and self-harm, substance abuse, and psychotherapy process and outcomes. She has delivered 300+ conferences, colloquia, grand rounds, and trainings, and is widely recognized for her excellence in DBT training. Read Shelley’s full bio here.
DETAILS AT A GLANCE
Fee: $775 CAD+HST+Eventbrite Fees
Delivery: Online via Zoom. This course has a live online component which will be recorded for review.
Audience: Multi-disciplinary mental health professionals interested in treating complex PTSD using evidence-based principles and procedures. Basic knowledge of DBT is recommended.
CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) CREDITS:
- OPA: Pending Approval for 16 CE credits for psychological practitioners.
- OAMHP: Pending Approval for 16 CE credits for mental health professionals.
- MDPAC: Pending Approval for 16 hours of MDPAC Group CE credits and 2 hour of MDPAC CCI credits (automatically calculated when MDPAC member submits Group CE hours).
CANCELLATION POLICY: We will allow refunds that are requested 7 days prior to the event start date. Attendees can request a refund through Eventbrite.
Refunds will not be issued after April 13, 2025. CMBH reserves the right to cancel workshops due to unforeseen circumstances.
PREREQUISITE(S)/ RECOMMENDATIONS: Registrants should have foundational concepts of mental health through disciplines such as nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work, etc.
CERTIFICATE(S): This course is applicable to the following CMBH Certificate – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
September 14, 28, October 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2026
Mondays 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (ET)
Online via Zoom
Facilitated by: Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
REGISTRATION OPENING SOON
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps clients improve their emotional health through four core concepts: Mindfulness; Distress Tolerance; Emotion Regulation; and Interpersonal Effectiveness. In this course, you will develop your knowledge and skills in all four core areas. You’ll learn how to structure DBT skills groups, teach in an engaging manner, address problem behaviors and help clients get the most out of their homework. You’ll emerge better equipped to help clients struggling with emotional and interpersonal difficulties to lead less troubled, more satisfying lives.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS COURSE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Prioritize treatment targets in skills groups
- Know how DBT’s four core skills (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) can help people with multiple disorders
- Lead an effective mindfulness practice
- Use DBT strategies to address problem behaviours and resistance
- Teach skills from DBT’s core modules and how they apply to diverse problems
Registrants will retain access to the course material and recordings of all classes for 30 days after the course concludes. All registrants will be able to download core content (PPT or PDF) and view recordings of classes. Class recordings cannot be downloaded.
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Shelley McMain, C. Psych., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Head of the Borderline Personality Disorder Clinic and a Clinician Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Co-Founder of the Centre for MindBody Health in Toronto. She is a clinician, educator and researcher and a Certified DBT Practitioner. Dr. McMain is recognized as a leader in DBT in Canada and internationally. She conducts research in DBT, personality disorders, emotion regulation, suicide and self-harm, substance abuse, and psychotherapy process and outcomes. She has delivered 300+ conferences, colloquia, grand rounds, and trainings, and is widely recognized for her excellence in DBT training. Read Shelley’s full bio here.
DETAILS AT A GLANCE
Fee: $675 CAD+HST+Eventbrite Fees
Delivery: Online via Zoom. This course has a live online component which will be recorded for review.
Audience: Multi-disciplinary mental health professionals interested in treating complex PTSD using evidence-based principles and procedures. Basic knowledge of DBT is recommended.
CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) CREDITS:
- OPA: Pending Approval for 12 CE credits for psychological practitioners.
- OAMHP: Pending Approval for 12 CE credits for mental health professionals.
- MDPAC: Pending Approval for 12 hours of MDPAC Group CE credits and 1.5 hour of MDPAC CCI credits (automatically calculated when MDPAC member submits Group CE hours).
CANCELLATION POLICY: We will allow refunds that are requested 7 days prior to the event start date. Attendees can request a refund through Eventbrite.
Refunds will not be issued after September 7, 2026. CMBH reserves the right to cancel workshops due to unforeseen circumstances.
PREREQUISITE(S)/ RECOMMENDATIONS: Registrants should have foundational concepts of mental health through disciplines such as nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work, etc.
CERTIFICATE(S): This course is applicable to the following CMBH Certificate – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
November 16, 23, 30 and December 7, 2026
Mondays 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (ET)
Online via Zoom
Facilitated by: Dr. Shelley McMain, C.Psych.
REGISTRATION OPENING SOON
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps clients improve their emotional health through four core concepts: Mindfulness; Distress Tolerance; Emotion Regulation; and Interpersonal Effectiveness. In this course, you will develop your knowledge and skills in all four core areas. You’ll learn how to structure DBT skills groups, teach in an engaging manner, address problem behaviors and help clients get the most out of their homework. You’ll emerge better equipped to help clients struggling with emotional and interpersonal difficulties to lead less troubled, more satisfying lives.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS COURSE, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Construct a DBT Consultation Team with strategic intent
- Present more clear and concise case formulations
- Monitor treatment progress more effectively
- How to apply DBT strategies in others’ cases
- Address common team problems and eliminate barriers to progress
Registrants will retain access to the course material and recordings of all classes for 30 days after the course concludes. All registrants will be able to download core content (PPT or PDF) and view recordings of classes. Class recordings cannot be downloaded.
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Shelley McMain, C. Psych., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, Head of the Borderline Personality Disorder Clinic and a Clinician Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Co-Founder of the Centre for MindBody Health in Toronto. She is a clinician, educator and researcher and a Certified DBT Practitioner. Dr. McMain is recognized as a leader in DBT in Canada and internationally. She conducts research in DBT, personality disorders, emotion regulation, suicide and self-harm, substance abuse, and psychotherapy process and outcomes. She has delivered 300+ conferences, colloquia, grand rounds, and trainings, and is widely recognized for her excellence in DBT training. Read Shelley’s full bio here.
DETAILS AT A GLANCE
Fee: $575 CAD+HST+Eventbrite Fees
Delivery: Online via Zoom. This course has a live online component which will be recorded for review.
Audience: Multi-disciplinary mental health professionals interested in treating complex PTSD using evidence-based principles and procedures. Basic knowledge of DBT is recommended.
CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) CREDITS:
- OPA: Pending Approval for 8 CE credits for psychological practitioners.
- OAMHP: Pending Approval for 8 CE credits for mental health professionals.
- MDPAC: Pending Approval for 8 hours of MDPAC Group CE credits and 2 hour of MDPAC CCI credits (automatically calculated when MDPAC member submits Group CE hours).
CANCELLATION POLICY: We will allow refunds that are requested 7 days prior to the event start date. Attendees can request a refund through Eventbrite.
Refunds will not be issued after November 9, 2026. CMBH reserves the right to cancel workshops due to unforeseen circumstances.
PREREQUISITE(S)/ RECOMMENDATIONS: Registrants should have foundational concepts of mental health through disciplines such as nursing, psychiatry, psychology, social work, etc.
CERTIFICATE(S): This course is applicable to the following CMBH Certificate – Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
This course, offered through the Centre for MindBody Health over a four-week period, provides a comprehensive examination of DBT-PTSD based on a psychosocial model. Dysfunctional behaviors are understood as strategies to avoid or escape from trauma-associated primary emotions like powerlessness, threat, anxiety, disgust, humiliation, or sexual arousal. DBT-PTSD proposes that these emotions are corroborated by dysfunctional cognitive assumptions and dysfunctional behaviors such as self-injury, suicidal ideation, dissociation or intoxication. It further proposes that problematic secondary emotions such as shame, guilt, self-hatred, or chronic anger develop over time into problematic self-concepts which impair quality of life.
DBT-PTSD helps clients: a. Revise their fear of trauma-associated primary emotions, b. Question whether secondary emotions like guilt and shame fit the facts, and c. Radically accept the fact of trauma in their lives to establish a life worth living. The treatment program is designed to be delivered in a residential program (three-months) or in an outpatient setting (45 weeks).
This course provides comprehensive training in DBT-PTSD including a manual. The course also fulfills the prerequisite for enrolling in the Advanced DBT for Complex PTSD course that is offered alongside this foundational training course.
Learning Objectives
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS TRAINING, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Describe the basic psycho-social and neuro-behavioral principles of complex PTSD
- Implement the principles of DBT-PTSD within your clinical practice
- Develop an individualized trauma model
- Teach your client skills for dissociation, distress tolerance, and regulation of trauma-related emotions
- Conduct in-sensu exposure
- Help your clients create a life worth living
This two-day case-based learning workshop focuses on Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Complex PTSD (DBT-PTSD). Through didactic learning and selected case presentations, the training addresses topics presenting the greatest challenges for participants.
DBT-PTSD is tailored to treat adult PTSD after childhood abuse, including those with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Most of these people show severe problems in emotion regulation, negative self-concept, dysfunctional memory processing and maladaptive social interaction. To target these core domains, DBT-PTSD merges multiple evidence-based elements: DBT principles, trauma-specific cognitive and exposure-based techniques, compassion focused interventions and behavior change procedures. DBT-PTSD is based on a psychosocial model. Typical dysfunctional behaviors can predominantly be understood as strategies to avoid or escape from trauma-associated primary emotions like powerlessness, threat, anxiety, disgust, humiliation or sexual arousal. Corroborated by dysfunctional cognitive assumptions, dysfunctional behaviors such as self-injury, suicidal ideation, dissociation, or intoxication and problematic secondary emotions such as shame, guilt, self-hatred, or chronic anger develop over time into problematic self-concepts that strongly impair quality of life. DBT-PTSD aims to help people: a) Revise their fear of trauma-associated primary emotions, b) Question whether secondary emotions like guilt and shame fit the facts, and c) Radically accept the fact of trauma in their lives in order to establish a life worth living.
Learning Objectives
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS TRAINING, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
- Implement the strategies and principles of DBT-PTSD in your clinical practice with greater adherence and competence.
- Gain experience in consultation and make evidence-based clinical decisions when working with clients.
- Prepare a case formulation following The Old and The New Path Model.
- Evaluate the use of the DBT-PTSD model within your own and others’ cases.
Private Training or Consultation Request
Dr. Shelley McMain offers consultation services and a variety of trainings to meet your group’s needs. Shelley travels locally, nationally, and internationally to offer adherent DBT training as a standalone event or through sequential ongoing training. Please complete the Request Form below and we will contact you to see how we can work together to exceed your organization’s training goals! We look forward to hearing from you and exploring your interests in DBT.
