Learn DBT mindfulness skills in South Africa. Enhance emotional control for your clients with practical 'What' and 'How' techniques.
Mindfulness is the foundation of DBT, and this course shows South African psychologists how to teach it as an active, trainable skill rather than a passive or meditative practice. It explores the What skills of observing, describing and participating, and the How skills of acting non-judgementally, one-mindfully and effectively, as developed by Marsha Linehan. These tools help clients manage distress, increase self-awareness and connect more fully with themselves and others. The course is accredited by the HPCSA for CPD points and is especially relevant for clients who are emotionally dysregulated, trauma-exposed or disconnected from their emotional experience.
Mindfulness is the foundation of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and a vital first step in helping clients gain greater emotional control and psychological flexibility. This course explores the practical application of DBT Mindfulness Skills—specifically the “What” and “How” skills—as developed by Marsha Linehan, offering clinicians tangible tools to help clients manage distress, increase self-awareness, and foster greater connection with themselves and others.
Rather than teaching mindfulness as a meditative or passive practice, this skills-based approach frames mindfulness as an active and trainable capacity to attend, observe, and respond with awareness. These tools are especially helpful for clients who are emotionally dysregulated, trauma-exposed, or disconnected from their emotional experience
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Understand the rationale behind DBT’s mindfulness-first approach.
Teach clients the “What Skills” (Observe, Describe, Participate) to engage with their present-moment experience.
Apply the “How Skills” (Non-judgmentally, One-mindfully, Effectively) to improve emotional regulation.
Integrate mindfulness into therapeutic work with clients who are emotionally avoidant or over-controlled.
Identify the role of mindfulness in bridging Emotion Mind, Rational Mind, and accessing Wise Mind.
Personality Disorders: Theoretical framework and formulation