DBT self-care trainings for professionals

Dr. King's DBT clinic has been providing training to university professional via adapting recommended self-care strategies for psychologists1, 2, 3 to all professionals, and recasting them in terms of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills.4, 5

There is general agreement that engagement in self-care represents best practice for professionals.6, 7, 8 High levels of self care may be especially important for early career professionals (ECPs), who have several heightened risk factors for burnout relative to other career stages.9 Those engaged in social justice efforts and diversity education may also be at increased risk.10, 11 Relatedly, it is important to respect multicultural diversity when it comes to sources of stress and self-care recommendations.12

Practicing the skills you preach is part of DBT, for your own benefit, and to help "sell" skills to others whom would likewise benefit from them. Do you advise persons you serve about assessment and feedback? Self-regulation and identity? Behavioral approaches, such as pleasant activities, accomplishing tasks, and planfully avoiding relapse? Self-actualization and positive exercises? Physical fitness toward emotional wellbeing? Challenging and changing thoughts? Mindfulness? Social skills? Effectively avoiding problems? The benefits of psychotherapy? Then you’re well prepared to practice what you preach!

There is also some precedent beyond DBT for utilizing a therapeutic system to guide one's engagement in self-care, to good effect.13 In addition, there is evidence that fostering a culture of self care and providing training in self care in general is helpful to psychological trainees.14 Thus, in the alternative, you might reflect on self-care practices in terms of concepts and skills from your own preferred life- enhancement system(s).

In the spirit of promoting self-care and sharing, materials developed by Dr. King's clinic are offered for use by others below.

Self-Care Assessments

A systematic review of 10 self-care measures identified 2 as being particularly promising15: the Professional Self-Care Scale (PSCS) and the Self-Care Behavior Inventory (SCBI).

Toward identifying areas of strength and new areas for self-care exploration, Dr. King recommends completing one of these self-care assessment measures from time to time.

DBT Self-Care Skills for Psychologists

DBT Self-Care Skills for Professionals

Self-Care Resources from Others

From the American Psychological Association:

From the National Academy of Medicine:

From Dr. Kenneth Pope: