The Centre for Mental Health Education supports clinicians extend their practice through a range of Stabilisation Based Therapy (SBT) workshops and professional development opportunities.
To best support the development of mental health professionals, we have structured workshops using a three-phase approach (Foundations, Enhanced, and Advanced Practice). Further information has been provided below on each phase of development for mental health professionals.
What is Stabilisation Based Therapy?
Stabilisation Based Therapy (SBT) was developed from the PhD research and clinical experiences of Peter King. Peter’s research explored effective interventions for individuals with extreme emotion dysregulation. His research identified targeted therapeutic interventions as well as a mental health professional’s skills, qualities and attributes which lead to effective therapeutic interventions. Peter’s PhD findings identified a phase-based approach which is informed by in session targets for a safe and consistent approach to working with individuals with a diagnosis of PTSD, Complex PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Acute Stress Reactions. SBT is a recovery-based approach that is trauma informed and individualised to the needs of each individual seeking therapeutic interventions and ultimately recovery from a range of mental health concerns.
Stabilisation Based Therapy is an integrative approach with elements of Somatic Trauma Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Mindfulness forming an eclectic treatment methodology.
What to expect in Stabilisation Based Therapy (SBT)?
Stabilisation Based Therapy focuses on resource identification, a phased based approach and in session targets that are at all times recovery focused and trauma informed. Specific resources and skills can be taught in either a group or individual therapy setting dependant on the diagnostic category of the individual as well as cognitive capabilities and current phase of treatment. During individual therapy in SBT, individuals monitor symptoms and identify personal resources while progress is tracked through targeting behaviours and resource integration.
Individual Resources. Resource identification, strengthening and integration informs the SBT approach. Individuals work alongside mental health professionals to identify resources most likely to be of value during times where safety and stabilisation are of paramount importance. Resources are practiced and refined in session before being integrated into opportunities for practice outside the therapy session using a graded approach. Resource use is then reviewed and strengthened in proceeding sessions to ensure ease of access and use of skillful means during future times of distress or need.A phase-based approach a Stabilisation Based Therapy, a phase based approach, adopted from the work of Pierre Janet and Babette Rothschild, provides mental health professionals with directions in incorporating best practice approaches.
The three phases in Stabilisation Based Therapy are:
- Phase 1: De-escalation & Containment
- Phase 2: Safety & Stabilisation
- Phase 3: Therapeutic Processing
In session Targets. In Stabilisation Based Therapy, each session of therapy targets in session behaviours, risks, resources and goals! SBT uses hierarchy-based targets to ensure each session is recovery-focused and guided by a trauma-informed approach to ensure safety and capacity!
- Target 1: Suicidal, Homicidal and Family Violence risks
- Target 2: Therapeutic Relationship
- Target 3: Resource Identification, Strengthening and Generalisation
- Target 4: Resource Integration
- Target 5: Therapeutic Processing
Foundations of Practice Workshops
Foundation of Practice in Stabilisation Based Therapy (SBT) are the first phase of development for mental health professionals seeking to advance their practice in SBT based approaches. Our faculty delivering practice essentials workshops have completed a minimum of an Intensive Training Course in DBT with Behavioral Tech LLC in the USA which was established by DBT creator Marsha Linehan; Intensive 12 Day Training Course with Babette Rothschild in Somatic Trauma Therapy; and have undergone mentoring and development in Trauma Informed Approaches, Mindfulness and Recovery Based Approaches.
Foundations of Practice One Day & Online Workshops include:
- Foundations of Stabilisation Based Therapy (DBT)
- Foundations of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Foundations of Mindfulness (Online)
- Somatic Interventions for Stabilisation (1 Day & Online)
- Foundations of Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Foundations of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Foundations of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
If you seek a more comprehensive establishment of Stabilisation Based Therapy approaches we suggest you consider attending an Intensive Training in Stabilisation Based Therapy.
Enhanced Practice Workshops
Intensive Training and Retreats in Stabilisation Based Therapy are the second phase of development for mental health professionals seeking to advance clinical practice. The workshops within the enhanced phase of practice have been developed for individuals and teams seeking to use Stabilisation Based Therapy as a tool for the management of emotion dysregulation, PTSD, BPD and trauma.
Our faculty delivering practice essentials workshops have completed a minimum of an Intensive Training Course in DBT with Behavioral Tech LLC in the USA which was established by DBT creator Marsha Linehan; Intensive 12 Day Training Course with Babette Rothschild in Somatic Trauma Therapy; and have undergone mentoring and development in Trauma Informed Approaches, Mindfulness and Recovery Based Approaches.
Content Explored in Enhanced Practice Workshops
- De-escalation & Containment in Stabilisation Based Therapy: Participants will explore a range of clinical strategies to contain individuals in crisis and de-escalation techniques for individuals who are extremely dysregulated. Interventions and strategies include: clinical assessment; suicide risk assessment & management; psychological first aide; and identification of an individual’s exisiting resources to manage an acute psychiatric crisis.
- Safety & Stabilisation in Stabilisation Based Therapy: Participants will explore a range of clinical strategies to maintain a level of safety and stabilisation techniques to reduce the likelihood of an individual returning to a state of feeling overwhelm and out of control. Interventions and strategies include: additional resource development using a somatic trauma therapy, mindfulness and a dialectical behaviour informed strategies; establishing mindfulness; development of personal boundaries; and establishing enduring connections.
- Therapeutic Processing in Stabilisation Based Therapy: Participants will be introduced to a range of clinical strategies useful in processing stressful and traumatic memories/experiences. Somatic Trauma Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Body Orientated Approaches and Mindfulness will be explored in this therapeutic processing phase in order to reduce the likelihood of memories being triggering; minimise the return of an individuals clinical symptom; eliminating avoidant type behaviour; ensuring the nervous system recovers more readily from distress; and an individual is able to engage in an individually rewarding life.
Enhanced Practice Workshops include:
- Intensive Training Program (12 months – 9 Days of Training)
- Queensland SBT Retreat (6 Day)
- Thailand SBT Retreat (6 Day)
Advanced Practice & Development
For Clinicians seeking to advance their practice in Stabilisation Based Therapy, the Centre for Mental Health Education offers a range of supervision options as well as Stabilisation Based Therapy Certification.
- Stabilisation Based Therapy Certification
- Clinical Supervision
- Reflective Practice Statements
- Advanced Practice in Stabilisation Based Therapy: Case Studies
