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A practical DBT-informed training series for therapists who want clearer case formulation, steadier sessions, and clinically grounded decision-making.
CE eligible • Designed for licensed + associate + student clinicians • Practical, case-based teaching
• Los Angeles-based (virtual/in-person as applicable)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
(DBT) Training Series
Los Angeles / California
How you think impacts therapy.
This training is for you if you're a therapist looking to integrate DBT into your sessions without practicing comprehensive DBT. You may already use mindfulness and skills language and want the missing piece: DBT case formulation, targets, and clinical strategy so sessions have direction, compassion, and accountability.
Best Fit For:
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Integrative therapists
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Value clearer assessment and targets​​
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Open to DBT-informed structure
This may not be a fit if:
Seeking comprehensive DBT-Training
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Require strict protocol adherence​
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You'll Learn To:
Use DBT case formulation​
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Identify targets for treatment​
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Work through common clinical stuck points
Principles change stance.
Decisions change direction.
Skills change behavior.
Making Sense of
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT Training Series
Part 1: Foundations - How DBT Thinks
DBT Principles, Structures and Strategies, March 27 in Encino, CA
Part 1: How DBT Thinks
DBT Principles, Structures and Strategies
March 27, 9:00-4:45 pm, Encino, CA
What you’ll be able to do after Part 1
Conceptualize clients through a DBT lens (not just “teach skills”)
Identify treatment targets without getting lost in content
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Use nonjudgmental, functional language that improves clarity​​
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Validate effectively while still moving toward change
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Apply DBT principles immediately in everyday clinical work
Part 2: How DBT Decides
Assessments, Targets and Behavioral Change
May 15, 9:00-4:45 pm, Encino, CA
What you’ll be able to do after Part 2
Decide what to work on (and what to defer)
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Prioritize targets using DBT’s hierarchical model
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Use chain analysis and missing links to guide treatment decisions
Integrate diary cards with flexibility to increase clinical value
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Use commitment strategies to support follow-through and reduce drift
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Part 3: How DBT Intervenes
DBT Principles, Structures and Strategies
July 31, 9:00-4:45 pm, Encino, CA
What you’ll be able to do after Part 3
Select skills based on function and target
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Identify treatment targets without getting lost in content
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Distinguish when to teach, coach, reinforce, or step back
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Integrate skills into sessions in ways that support generalization
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​Describe the purpose and clinical application of the four DBT skills modules
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Pricing
Optional: DBT Case Consultation Group
Virtually, Post-Training
Early Bird*
Students: $209, $199 (Zelle-discounted)
Standard: $259, $249 (Zelle-discounted)
Regular Rate
Standard and Students: $309, $299 (Zelle-discounted)
Parts 1-3 Package*:
Students: $599, $569 (Zelle-discounted)
Standard: $729, $699 (Zelle-discounted)
*Part 2 Early Bird Through April 10, 2026
*Part 3 Early Bird Through July 1, 2026
Join an ongoing virtual consultation group after the training to strengthen application, reduce second-guessing, and get support with your clients.
Format: Virtual consultation group
Rate: $130 per group meeting/$780 to reserve space
Minimum commitment: 6 months
Group will be limited to 6 (six) participants.
Who it’s for: Clinicians who want support applying DBT strategies with fidelity to function, scope, and ethics.
Once monthly on Fridays, 10:00-11:30 am PT
April 3, May 1, June 5, July 10, August 7 & September 11
About the Trainer
Robyn Caruso, LMFT (CA #80168), CEDS-C, CET1, Basic ART Practitioner brings 18 years of clinical experience across detox, residential, PHP, IOP, and outpatient levels of care, with extensive work in high-acuity and complex presentations. She is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and integrates psychodynamic, experiential, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic frameworks in a structured, pragmatic way that supports clinical clarity and follow-through. Robyn is Clinical Faculty at Antioch University Los Angeles, where she regularly teaches DBT and trains emerging clinicians in applied case formulation and decision-making.
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Continuing Education (CE)
​Target Audience: LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, AMFTs, ACSWs, APCCs
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Making Sense of DBT, Part 1: Principles Structures and Strategies meets the qualifications for 6.5 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTS, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
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Making Sense of DBT, Part 2: Assessment, Targets and Behavioral Change meets the qualifications for 6.5 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTS, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
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Making Sense of DBT, Part 3: Matching Interventions to Targets meets the qualifications for 6.5 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTS, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
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AlignED Care Eating Disorder and Mental Health Center is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education activities for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. AlignED Care Eating Disorder and Mental Health Center maintains responsibility for the program/course and its content. CAMFT approval number 1032797.
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Participants will receive an email to complete an evaluation of presentations approximately 2 days following the completion of each training. Upon completion of the evaluations, CE certificates will be emailed to the email addressed listed on the evaluation within 1 week of completion of evaluation. Questions regarding this process may be directed to Robyn@Alignedcarecenter.com