UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOUR THERAPY (DBT)

IN MENTAL HEALTH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE 

FRIDAY 7^TH NOVEMBER, 2025 – 08:30 – 16:30

PRESENTED BY IMOGEN MORGAN AND TRACEY ENGELBRECHT

Workshop Synopsis and Learning Objectives:

This workshop is tailored for occupational therapists seeking to deepen their understanding of DBT and its application in supporting clients with complex mental health challenges. The session provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to DBT skills and assessment tools, enabling immediate and practical implementation in diverse mental health settings.

DBT is a transdiagnostic therapy that integrates mindfulness, behavioural principles, and skills training to support clients in increasing effective behaviours while reducing unhelpful behaviours.

Topics to be covered include:

• Skills Training: Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness within the context of occupational engagement.
• Assessment: Utilizing the biosocial model to inform occupational performance assessments, identifying patterns of problem behaviours and risks, and integrating DBT tools such as diary cards and chain analysis into OT evaluations.
• Intervention: Understanding the DBT framework, its therapeutic assumptions, and practical skills training techniques that enhance functional outcomes in daily life.

Participants will engage in mindfulness exercises, self-reflection activities, hands-on practice with DBT tools and case-based discussions.

Comprehensive resources, including a detailed slide pack, worksheets, and references for further exploration, will equip participants to incorporate these evidence-based approaches into their practice effectively.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Imogen Morgan

Imogen is a Medicare-endorsed Mental Health Occupational Therapist with a wealth of experience across community, inpatient, and private practice settings. Currently, she works in private practice, specialising in supporting clients with a range of complex mental health challenges including emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, trauma, and ADHD.

Imogen has facilitated both CBT- and DBT-based group and individual therapy using DBT, ACT, CBT and Schema Therapy informed approaches. Her work has consistently focused on helping individuals develop practical strategies to enhance their engagement in meaningful activities.

Committed to evidence-based practice, Imogen aims to bring a compassionate and practical approach to her facilitation, equipping occupational therapists with tools to integrate DBT principles effectively into their work.

Tracey Engelbrecht

Tracey is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist with extensive experience across inpatient, outpatient, and youth mental health settings. Currently, she is a private practitioner specialising in trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming care and serves as a DBTeen assessor and facilitator at Lifeline WA.

Her previous experience includes coordinating the Adolescent Intensive Treatment Program at Esus Centre, where she led DBT skills groups and managed program operations for adolescents recovering from eating disorders. At Perth Clinic, Tracey facilitated DBT and CBT group programs for adolescents and adults, working with individuals facing complex mental health concerns such as borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, ADHD, autism, and trauma.