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Using Metaphors and Storytelling to teach DBT Skill

Sunday, August 10th, 2025   10:00 AM EDT -1:00 PM EDT
James J Esmail, PsyD
$59.99

In her seminal work introducing Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Marsha Linehan points to the need to teach DBT through metaphors and stories. Comparing something that is abstract, complex, and difficult to something concrete and tangible allows people to go beyond simple cognition, to understanding the more complex realities of life. DBT skills training has received empirical support to be used in the treatment of many different conditions. It has also been shown to enhance social and global functioning.

This training will examine the rationale for using metaphors and storytelling to teach DBT skills, plus practical tips for doing so effectively. Metaphors and storytelling will be used to provide an overview of the four DBT modules (Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness) as well as the DBT concept of Radical Acceptance.

About the Presenter

Trainer, James J Esmail, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been in practice for 26 years. Dr. Esmail is a staff psychologist at the state psychiatric hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio and is in private practice, providing DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skill training in both sites. Dr. Esmail is the author of DBT Metaphors and Stories: Understanding the Skills that Make Life Worth Living (2020, Routledge). Dr. Esmail is also an adjunct professor in the graduate school of psychology, Xavier University.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain why metaphors and storytelling are effective tools for teaching and apply DBT skills
  2. Identify the 4 modules of Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training
  3. Use and create their own metaphors and stories to teach DBT skills to clients

Agenda:

DBT as an Evidence Based Treatment/applications                                     10 minutes

Use of metaphors in teaching DBT skills                                                     15 minutes

Use of storytelling in teaching DBT skills                                                    15 minutes

Metaphors and stories to motivate learning and practicing DBT skills             15 minutes

Metaphors and storytelling to teach mindfulness  skills                                 15 minutes

Metaphors and storytelling to teach Emotion Regulation skills                        15 minutes

Metaphors and stories to teach INterpersonal Effectiveness skills                   15 minutes

Metaphors and stories to teach Distress Tolerance skills                                 15 minutes

Metaphors and stories to teach Radical Acceptance skills                                15 minutes

Open discussion and wrap up (discussion will be encouraged throughout )        30 minutes

      

This workshop offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.