ACDC Resources are part of a stabilisation based approach

DBT Primer Program - ACDC Skills

This program has been developed using a Trauma Informed Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT-TI) framework.The goal of these sessions are to connect individuals with a range of personal resources to increase capacity to function at a level where impulsivity and distress is reduced. In addition, orientation to a full DBT or RO DBT program is an additional goal of this program!

  • Assess & Plan

    3 Individual Sessions

  • Hybrid Skills Training

    5 x Sessions online or in-person

  • Individual Sessions

    exploring a DBT approach

  • Review Session

    finialising treatment options
    What you are going to learn

    About ACDC Resources

    This program utilises a Stabilisation Based Therapy, Mindfulness, Radically Open DBT and a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) informed approach to support individuals experiencing recurring distress and overwhelm. DBT is an evidence-based therapy that began with efforts to treat individuals with extreme emotional distress. There is evidence that DBT can be useful in treating mood disorders, suicidal ideation, and for change in behavioural patterns such as self-harm and substance use

    • Decrease life-threatening behaviours (e.g. self-injurious behaviour, suicidal thoughts, family violence, threats and/or attempts)
    • Increase personal coping skills
    • Improve overall stabilisation and capacity to engage further therapy (if individuals choose to engage in deeper therapy)

    Commitments for the DBT Primer Program

    The Australian DBT Institute waitlist program has been used by our clinicians in various forms since 2004. This program supports individuals on a waitlist for a DBT or Radically Open DBT program at DBT Clinics either online or in-person.

    01

    Assessment Session

    This session is with an individual therapist completing self-reporting tools, crisis management plan and identify treatment targets and therapeutic goals.

    02

    Online or Self-Paced Skills Class

    The five skills class sessions begin following the initial assessment session with each class being between 60-70 minutes. Skills taught include mindfulness, grounding, recognising individual resources, memory gems, and ripple effect.

    03

    Individual Therapy Sessions

    Three sessions with an individual therapist reviewing group content and exploring five key elements of DBT (Crisis Management Plan, Diary Card, Missing Links Analysis, Chain Analysis and Phone Coaching).

    04

    Individual Review Session

    Final session with an individual therapist to complete self-reporting tools, crisis management plan and finalise any referrals for ongoing support. If an individual is to commence a DBT or RO DBT program with DBT Clinics an initial session with their ongoing individual therapist will be made during the final session of this program.

    ACDC Resources Developer

    Dr. Peter King is clinical lead at the Australian DBT Institute and developer of Stabilisation Based Therapy (SBT). SBT is the treatment framework under which ACDC resources were developed. Dr. King is an experienced educator and clinician with over 25 years of experiences in various public, community and private mental health settings. Since 1993, Peter has worked in Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, DBT Programs, Psychotherapy, and Clinical Leader in the health care and not-for-profit sector. He has consolidated this experience both in Australia and the USA through mentoring with Marsha Linehan’s company Behavioral Tech LLC, mentoring with the creator of Somatic Trauma Therapy – Babette Rothschild, leading clinical research and completed Ph.D. in the mental health field.





    “Stabilisation is an essential component of treatment. Without it, therapy can be overwhelming for many people.”

    Dr. Peter King

    Executive Director, Australian DBT Institute