Objectives:- Explain how core DBT skills (mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness) can be supported through structured musical experiences aligned with behavioral treatment goals.
- Apply music-based activities within their professional scope of practice to help clients practice and reinforce DBT skills in individual or group settings.
- Assess client engagement and regulation during music-based DBT skill practice and modify interventions to maintain safety, therapeutic intent, and clinical appropriateness.
Statement of Need:Mental health clinicians and music therapists need effective DBT skills because they frequently serve clients with intense emotional dysregulation, high-risk behaviors, and limited coping strategies, and must offer concrete, repeatable tools that support regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal functioning in real time.
Abstract:Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a widely used, evidence-based approach for supporting individuals with emotional dysregulation, high distress, and interpersonal challenges. Many mental health clinicians seek experiential strategies to reinforce DBT skills beyond verbal processing, particularly for clients who struggle with traditional talk-based interventions. This session introduces DBT-informed uses of music as a structured, accessible modality for skill practice. Participants will explore how music can support mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness through practical, clinician-friendly activities. Clinical examples and guided experiences will emphasize ethical integration, scope of practice, and adaptability across mental health settings.
CBMT & NCTRC Approved
