DBT-Informed Coping Strategies and Safety Planning for Adolescent Suicidal Ideation and Self-Injurious Behaviors September 17, 2026

This training provides an overview of suicidal ideation (SI), self-injurious behaviors (SIB), and practical intervention strategies grounded in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Participants will explore the differences between active and passive suicidal ideation, review current statistics and trends, and examine the functions and underlying science of self-injurious behaviors, as well as common warning signs and protective factors. The training will also introduce core DBT concepts, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, and harm reduction approaches, while teaching practical skills to help manage safety concerns. In addition, participants will learn strategies for attending to safety in therapy, differentiating between active and passive safety concerns during assessment, and collaboratively creating effective safety plans. The session will also highlight clinical tools including Behavior Chain Analysis and Skills Implementation Plans through examples and practical application, with additional resources provided to support ongoing clinical work.