Pål Johansen

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder: Introduction to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

This seminar gives an introduction in principles and interventions in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for patients with borderline personality disorder. DBT is an extensive and complicated treatment which is impossible to learn in just two days. This seminar provides a short overview as a starting point, or impetus for more extensive training, and long term development of competence in DBT. Recommended training opportunities abroad will be reviewed.

The seminar will provide an up to date introduction to central aspects of DBT, with many anecdotes and a strong degree of involvement. Johansen has clinical experience in working with borderline disorder and has been a guest researcher with Dr. Marsha M. Linehan as a Fulbright Fellow.

Topics covered:

1. A dialectical biosocial understanding of borderline personality disorder
2. DBT case formulation: Assessment and planning of treatment
3. Structuring of treatment for patients with multiple problems and high risk for life threatening behavior
4. Basic principles and ideas behind treatment modalities in DBT:
   • Individual therapy
   • Skills training
   • Telephone contact
   • Team meetings
5. Dialectical dilemmas and treatment strategies
6. DBT principles and interventions, including:
   • Problem solving
   • Contingency procedures
   • Skills training
   • Exposure
   • Validation
7. An up to date overview of research into results of therapy and ongoing studies of self-harm and borderline personality disorder

Resource Page (Registered users only) »

Pål-Ørjan Johansen, Cand PhD, is a psychologist and Norwegian Research Council-researcher at the Department of Psychology, NTNU, with a research focus on emotion regulation in patients with personality disorders. He has been a Fulbright Fellow to The University of Washington, and worked with Dr. Marsha M. Linehan and her treatment and research team in Seattle, and is a co-researcher on a study at The Harvard Study of Adult Development. » Email

Target audience:

Anyone working clinically with children/youth or adults (PUT, DPS, BUP, PPT, hospitals, etc.), with double diagnosis and severe problems in regard to emotion regulation, impulsivity and self-harm.

Course approvals:

The seminar is approved in advance by The Norwegian Psychological Association (NPA; Psykologforeningen) as 16 hours free specialization course credits and 16 hours maintenance course credits.

We have also applied for approval from The Norwegian Medical Association (NMA), Norwegian Nurses Organization (NNO) and Norwegian Union of Social Educators and Social Workers (FO).