DBT-Sleep: Foundational
Online Certification Course
- Reduce your DBT client's risk of self-harm & suicide by competently assessing & treating their (extremely common) struggles with sleep disruption & insomnia.
- Free 60-minute group consultation each week with Dr. Brian Curtis, PhD, DBSM through Zoom (a $300/month value!)
- Earn 26.0 Continuing Education (CE) hours.
- Lifetime access to the DBT-Sleep: Foundational course curriculum.
- Transform your DBT Practice as a Certified DBT-Sleep: Foundational Clinician
Sleep Disruption in DBT: Research indicates ~50% of your DBT clients with BPD, ~70% of your DBT clients with PTSD, & ~85% of your DBT clients with major depression are currently struggling with insomnia.
Sleep & Suicide: Insomnia is a well-established risk factor for non-suicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, & suicide death, with ~75% of individuals who attempted suicide reporting difficulty falling asleep & ~70% reporting difficulty staying asleep.
Saving Lives by Treating Sleep in DBT: Treating insomnia in individuals reporting suicidal ideation (SI) has been shown to reduce SI by 25% post-treatment & 19% at 1-year follow up with an 82% reduction in new-onset SI.
Treating Sleep is Effective in DBT Populations: Treating insomnia not only reduces suicide risk, but also improves PTSD severity, substance use, anxiety, depression, & decreases time spent in bipolar episodes, resulting in recommendations to integrate the assessment & treatment of sleep disruption in DBT as standard of care.
Overcoming Barriers: Although DBT is one of the few evidence-based treatments to specifically highlight sleep disruption as a vulnerability factor for emotion dysregulation (e.g., the optional one-page sleep hygiene & nightmare protocol handouts), there is no protocol in DBT for routine assessment, daily monitoring, or treatment of sleep disruption. DBT-Sleep: Foundational overcomes these barriers by offering the same step-by-step process Dr. Curtis uses in his clinical practice to assess & treat sleep disruption & insomnia in DBT.
- Selby, E. A. (2013). Chronic sleep disturbances and borderline personality disorder symptoms. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 81 (5), 941–947.
- Asaad,T., Okasha, T., & Okasha, A. (2002). Sleep EEG findings in ICD-10 borderline personality disorder in Egypt. Journal of Affective Disorders, 71, 11–18.
- McCall, W. V. (2022) Targeting insomnia symptoms as a path to reduction of suicide risk: The role of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Sleep, 45 (5), 1-3.
- Semiz, U. B., Basoglu, C., Ebrinc, S., & Cetin, M. (2008). Nightmare disorder, dream anxiety, and subjective sleep quality in patients with borderline personality disorder. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 62 (1), 48–55.
- Winsper, C. & Tang, N. K. Y. (2014). Linkages between insomnia and suicidality: Prospective associations, high-risk subgroups and possible psychological mechanisms. International Review of Psychiatry, 26 (2), 189–204.
- Sjöström, N., Wærn, M., & Hetta, J. (2007). Nightmares and sleep disturbances in relation to suicidality in suicide attempters. Sleep, 30 (1), 91–95.
- Trockel, M., Karlin, B. E., Taylor, C. B., Brown, G. K., & Manber, R. (2015). Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia on suicidal ideation in veterans. Sleep, 38(2), 259–265.
- Bishop, T. M., Britton, P. C., Knox, K. L., & Pigeon, W. R. (2015). Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and imagery rehearsal in combat veterans with comorbid posttraumatic stress: A case series. Military Behavioral Health, 4 (1), 58–64.
- Taylor, D. J., & Pruiksma, K. E. (2014). Cognitive and behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in psychiatric populations: A systematic review. International Review of Psychiatry, 26 (2), 205–213.
- Grove, J. L., Smith, T. W., Crowell, S. E., & Ellis, J. H. (2017). Preliminary evidence for emotion dysregulation as a mechanism underlying poor sleep quality in borderline personality disorder. Journal of Personality Disorders, 31 (4), 542–552.
- Van Veen, M. M., Karsten, J., & Lancel, M. (2017). Poor sleep and its relation to impulsivity in patients with antisocial or borderline personality disorders. Behavioral Medicine, 43 (3), 218–226.
- Van Tright, S., Van Der Zweerde, T., Van Straten, A., & Van Marle, H. J. F. (2022). Guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in patients with borderline personality disorder: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Internet Interventions, 29, 1–8.
- Winsper, C., Tang, N. K. Y., Marwaha, S., Ranya Lereya, S., Gibbs, M., Thompson, A., & Singh, S. P. (2017). The sleep phenotype of Borderline Personality Disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 73, 48–67.
Course Objectives
- Describe the prevalence & consequences of sleep disruptions in DBT client populations.
- Explain the functions of sleep, the circadian & homeostatic processes regulating sleep, & how this knowledge informs clinical assessment & treatment.
- Describe diagnostic criteria & use standard assessment measures for clinically relevant sleep-wake disorders including insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, & nightmare disorder.
- Explain in detail a step-by-step process for conducting a sleep-focused intake interview including standardized assessment measures in sleep medicine.
- Discuss & practice implementing the central components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia (MBT-I), & Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Insomnia (ACT-I) while integrating the use of core skills in DBT to increase the effectiveness of sleep-focused treatment.
- Explain evidence-based methods for gradual tapering of sleep medications in coordination with client’s prescribing clinician(s).
- Apply knowledge from this course using case examples to generate a case conceptualization, individualized treatment plan, & know when referral to a sleep specialist may be warranted.
- Ensure ongoing effective assessment & treatment of sleep disruption & insomnia in DBT with free weekly 60-minute group Zoom consultations with Dr. Brian Curtis, PhD, DBSM through the exclusive DBT-Sleep: Foundational Community.
Meet Your Course Instructor:
Brian Curtis, PhD, DBSM
Education
Doctorate (PhD) in clinical psychology, Board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (DBSM), Master’s (MS) in neuroscience under the mentorship of Nobel Prize winning geneticist Mario Capecchi, PhD.
Clinical Experience
Advanced training and certification in evidence-based assessment and treatment of borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic insomnia, and nightmare disorder.
Research
12 years of research experience and 12 peer-reviewed scientific publications in some of the world's top journals in neuroscience, psychology, and sleep medicine. Member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
DBT-Sleep
Dr. Curtis is one of only 218 clinicians in the world who is board certified in behavioral sleep medicine (DBSM) and the only DBSM specialist with advanced training and certification in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Course Curriculum
Welcome, DBT-Sleep: Foundational Clinicians
Module 1: Why Focus on Sleep as a DBT Clinician?
- Lesson 1: Welcome to Module 1
- Lesson 2: Saving Lives with Sleep: Suicide, Self-Harm, and Impulsivity
- Lesson 3: Sleep Disruption is Common in DBT Populations
- Lesson 4: Sleep Facilitates Emotion Processing and Emotion Regulation
- Lesson 5: Sleep Enhances Learning and Memory (DBT Skills)
- Lesson 6: Treating Sleep Disruption is Effective in DBT Populations
- Lesson 7: Targeted Sleep-Focused Treatment is Often Necessary
- Lesson 8: DBT is Unique in Addressing Sleep Disruption
- Lesson 9: Transforming Your DBT Practice as a DBT-Sleep Clinician
- Module 1: Competency Quiz
Module 2: Sleep-Focused Assessment in DBT
- Lesson 1: Welcome to Module 2
- Lesson 2: DBT-Sleep Assessment Questionnaire Part 1 + Case Example
- Lesson 3: DBT-Sleep Assessment Questionnaire Part 2 + Case Example
- Lesson 4: DBT-Sleep Assessment Questionnaire Part 3 + Case Example
- Lesson 5: DBT-Sleep Assessment Questionnaire Part 4 + Case Example
- Lesson 6: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) + Case Example
- Lesson 7: Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (PSAS) + Case Example
- Lesson 8: Beliefs About Sleep (DBAS) + Case Example
- Lesson 9: Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) + Case Example
- Lesson 10: STOP Questionnaire (STOP) + Case Example
- Lesson 11: Fear of Sleep Inventory (FOSI) + Case Example
- Lesson 12: Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) + Case Example
- Lesson 13: Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) + Case Example
- Lesson 14: Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorder Symptoms + Case Example
- Lesson 15: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms + Case Example
- Lesson 16: Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms + Case Example
- Lesson 17: Nightmare Disorder Symptoms + Case Example
- Lesson 18: Insomnia Disorder Symptoms + Case Example
- Lesson 19: Assessment Home Practice and Sleep Diary + Case Example
- Lesson 20: Sleep and Assessment Measures Scoring and Summary + Case Example
- Module 2: Competency Quiz
Module 3: Session 1: Aligning the Balloon and the Clock
- Lesson 1: Welcome to Module 3
- Lesson 2: Score Sleep Diary: Assessment + Case Example
- Lesson 3: Score Weekly Assessment Measures + Case Example
- Lesson 4: Home Practice Review + Case Example
- Lesson 5: The Functions of Sleep + Case Example
- Lesson 6: Sleep Stages + Case Example
- Lesson 7: How Much Sleep Do I Need? + Case Example
- Lesson 8: The Balloon: Sleep Pressure + Case Example
- Lesson 9: The Clock: Circadian Rhythms + Case Example
- Lesson 10: Balloon + Clock = Two-Process Model of Sleep Regulation + Case Example
- Lesson 11: The 3-Process ("3P") Model of Insomnia Disorder + Case Example
- Lesson 12: Impact of Common Medications on Sleep + Case Example
- Lesson 13: Treating Sleep Disruption and Insomnia in DBT + Case Example
- Lesson 14: Applying Mindfulness to Sleep Disruption and Insomnia (B PLANTS) + Case Example
- Lesson 15: Session 1 Home Practice, Sleep Plan, and Sleep Diary + Case Example
- Module 3: Competency Quiz
Module 4: Session 2: Break the Switch. Make Pizza. Drop the Rope.
- Lesson 1: Welcome to Module 4
- Lesson 2: Score Sleep Diary: Session 1 + Case Example
- Lesson 3: Score Weekly Assessment Measures + Case Example
- Lesson 4: Home Practice Review + Case Example
- Lesson 5: The Switch: Conditioned Arousal + Case Example
- Lesson 6: Use Your Bed and Bedroom Only for Sleep and Sex + Case Example
- Lesson 7: Pre-Sleep Wind Down Routine + Case Example
- Lesson 8: Go to Bed Only When You're Sleepy + Case Example
- Lesson 9: Unwanted Wakefulness? Make a Higher Quality Pizza + Case Example
- Lesson 10: Sleep Effort? Drop the Rope + Case Example
- Lesson 11: Keeping the Sleep Balloon Full: Minimize Daytime Naps + Case Example
- Lesson 12: Session 2 Home Practice, Sleep Plan, and Sleep Diary + Case Example
- Module 4: Competency Quiz
Module 5: Session 3: Lights and Temperatures and Beers, Oh My!
- Lesson 1: Welcome to Module 5
- Lesson 2: Score Sleep Diary: Session 2 + Case Example
- Lesson 3: Score Weekly Assessment Measures + Case Example
- Lesson 4: Home Practice Review + Case Example
- Lesson 5: Stop Caffeine 12 Hours Before Bedtime + Case Example
- Lesson 6: Stop Nicotine 2 Hours Before Bedtime + Case Example
- Lesson 7: Monitor THC and CBD Use Before Bedtime + Case Example
- Lesson 8: Monitor Alcohol Use Before Bedtime + Case Example
- Lesson 9: Exercise to Improve Sleep. Stop Within 3-4 Hours of Bedtime. + Case Example
- Lesson 10: Temperature: Keep it Cool. Take a Bath. + Case Example
- Lesson 11: Sound: Quiet or Consistent + Case Example
- Lesson 12: Light: Daytime Bright and Cool. Evening Dim and Warm. + Case Example
- Lesson 13: Clock Watching: Minimize Mental Math + Case Example
- Lesson 14: Food and Fluid: Finding Your Goldilocks Zone + Case Example
- Lesson 15: Prescriber-Supervised Sleep Medication Tapering + Case Example
- Lesson 16: Session 3 Home Practice, Sleep Plan, and Sleep Diary + Case Example
- Module 5: Competency Quiz
Module 6: Session 4: Letting the Lizard Relax
- Lesson 1: Welcome to Module 6
- Lesson 2: Score Sleep Diary: Session 3 + Case Example
- Lesson 3: Score Weekly Assessment Measures + Case Example
- Lesson 4: Home Practice Review + Case Example
- Lesson 5: The Lizard: Physiological and Psychological Hyperarousal + Case Example
- Lesson 6: Letting the Lizard Relax + Case Example
- Lesson 7: Paced Breathing + Case Example
- Lesson 8: Paired Muscle Relaxation + Case Example
- Lesson 9: Body Scan Meditation + Case Example
- Lesson 10: The Lizard Log + Case Example
- Lesson 11: Session 4 Home Practice, Sleep Plan, and Sleep Diary + Case Example
- Module 6: Competency Quiz
Module 7: Session 5: Exploring Sleep-Related Thoughts and Beliefs
- Lesson 1: Welcome to Module 7
- Lesson 2: Score Sleep Diary: Session 4 + Case Example
- Lesson 3: Score Weekly Assessment Measures + Case Example
- Lesson 4: Home Practice Review + Case Example
- Lesson 5: Exploring Sleep-Related Thoughts and Beliefs + Case Example
- Lesson 6: Negative (or Catastrophic) Consequences of Sleep Disruption + Case Example
- Lesson 7: Sleep-Related Safety Behaviors + Case Example
- Lesson 8: Efforts to Control Sleep + Case Example
- Lesson 9: Examining Our (Sleep-Related) Beliefs + Case Example
- Lesson 10: Pros and Cons of Sleep-Related Beliefs and Urges + Case Example
- Lesson 11: Opposite Action: “Do it Tired” + Case Example
- Lesson 12: Behavioral Experiments: Testing Our Beliefs + Case Example
- Lesson 13: Mindfulness of Thoughts and Cognitive Defusion + Case Example
- Lesson 14: Targeting Thought Suppression: The Purple Cow + Case Example
- Lesson 15: Session 5 Lizard Log, Home Practice, Sleep Plan, and Sleep Diary + Case Example
- Module 7: Competency Quiz
Module 8: Session 6: Solving Problems, Being Flexible
- Lesson 1: Welcome to Module 8
- Lesson 2: Score Sleep Diary: Session 5 + Case Example
- Lesson 3: Score Weekly Assessment Measures + Case Example
- Lesson 4: Home Practice Review + Case Example
- Lesson 5: Solving Problems, Being Flexible + Case Example
- Lesson 6: Scheduled Problem Solving + Case Example
- Lesson 7: Radical Acceptance of Sleep-Related Facts + Case Example
- Lesson 8: Coping Ahead for Future Sleep Disruption or Insomnia + Case Example
- Lesson 9: Being Flexible with Your Sleep Plan Moving Forward + Case Example
- Lesson 10: Review of Skills and Treatment Progress + Case Example
- Lesson 11: Session 6 Lizard Log, Home Practice, Sleep Plan, and Sleep Diary + Case Example
- Module 8: Competency Quiz
Module 9: Session 7 and Beyond: Case Example
- Lesson 1: Welcome to Module 9
- Lesson 2: Score Sleep Diary: Session 6
- Lesson 3: Score Weekly Assessment Measures: Session 7
- Lesson 4: Home Practice Review, Session 7 Sleep Plan + Sleep Diary
- Lesson 5: Score Sleep Diary: Session 7
- Lesson 6: Score Weekly Assessment Measures: Session 8
- Lesson 7: Home Practice Review, Session 8 Sleep Plan + Sleep Diary
- Lesson 8: Score Sleep Diary: Session 8
- Lesson 9: Score Weekly Assessment Measures: Session 9
- Lesson 10: Home Practice Review, Session 9 Sleep Plan + Sleep Diary (and Beyond)
- Lesson 11: Score Sleep Diary: Session 9
- Lesson 12: Score Weekly Assessment Measures: Session 10
- Lesson 13: Home Practice Review, Summary of Treatment Progress
- Module 9: Competency Quiz