DBT Practitioner

Swydd-ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl

1.      KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

·       To provide specialist DBT assessments for young people presenting with complex emotional needs, drawing on structured interviews, self-report measures, behavioural observations, and collateral information from families, schools and professionals.

·       To formulate and deliver individualised DBT treatment plans for young people based on a robust psychological formulation, identifying crisis patterns, vulnerabilities and behavioural targets, in line with evidence-based practice.

·       To deliver all components of the standard DBT-A model, including weekly individual therapy, co-facilitating skills training groups, phone coaching (during working hours), and participating in weekly DBT consultation meetings.

·       To co-facilitate multi-family DBT skills groups, contributing to the delivery of DBT content to both young people and their parents/carers.

·       To provide DBT-informed parent/carer coaching and family sessions as part of the standard DBT-A model, and to support the inclusion of carers in the therapeutic process where clinically appropriate.

·       To undertake comprehensive assessments with parents and carers as part of pre-treatment and formulation development.

·       To contribute to the maintenance of treatment fidelity through active participation in the DBT consultation team, offering and receiving peer consultation to support high-quality, consistent DBT delivery.

·       To monitor and evaluate therapeutic outcomes using routine outcome measures, goal-based outcomes, and behavioural tracking tools, adapting interventions accordingly.

·       To provide specialist DBT-informed consultation and advice to colleagues within CAMHS and external partner agencies (e.g., schools, social care, inpatient units), promoting psychologically informed care and trauma-sensitive practice.

·       To support the delivery of psychoeducation and DBT-informed interventions to families and carers, in collaboration with colleagues where appropriate.

·       To contribute to multi-disciplinary risk assessments and management plans, including assessing and responding to risk of suicide, self-harm, and other high-risk behaviours.

·       To work collaboratively with professionals across agencies to ensure coordinated, holistic care planning and safe transitions, including discharge planning and step-down from inpatient care.

·       To maintain high standards of clinical record keeping in accordance with professional and Trust guidelines, including contemporaneous notes, formulation summaries, risk documentation, and structured reports.

·       To receive regular specialist DBT supervision and clinical supervision, engage in continuing professional development, and contribute to a learning culture within the team.

·       To contribute to the development and improvement of the DBT-A service through participation in audit, service evaluation, and team learning forums.

·       To practice within professional ethical guidelines and Trust policies, including safeguarding, health and safety, information governance, and equality and diversity.

2.      CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

·       To provide comprehensive DBT assessments for young people referred to the DBT-A service, integrating information from interviews, observations, structured measures, and third-party reports.

·       To formulate clear and collaborative treatment plans based on DBT principles, identifying key problem behaviours, vulnerabilities, and treatment targets across all DBT modes.

·       To deliver individual DBT therapy, co-facilitate multi-family and adolescent DBT skills groups, and provide DBT-informed phone coaching (within working hours), in line with the standard DBT-A model.

·       To deliver DBT-informed parent assessments, parent coaching, and family sessions to support systems change and the generalisation of DBT skills in the home environment.

·       To carry out and update risk assessments and collaboratively formulate risk management plans related to self-harm, suicidal ideation, or other risk behaviours.

·       To act as care coordinator for a caseload of young people, maintaining oversight of care planning and ensuring continuity across multiple systems (e.g., school, social care, CAMHS, inpatient units).

·       To liaise and work in partnership with parents/carers, schools, social care, and other professionals, offering DBT-informed consultation and contributing to multi-agency meetings.

·       To maintain detailed and timely clinical records in accordance with trust and professional guidelines, including formulations, session summaries, progress reviews, and outcome measures.

·       To contribute to the weekly DBT consultation team, engaging in peer supervision and team-based clinical decision-making.

·       To monitor clinical outcomes and treatment adherence using appropriate DBT tools and audit measures (e.g., diary cards, progress charts, routine outcome monitoring).

·       To adjust interventions responsively based on risk, developmental needs, therapeutic progress, and family context, while maintaining fidelity to the DBT model.

·       To deliver DBT-informed psychoeducation and skills training content to young people and families as part of pre-treatment and ongoing therapeutic work.

·       To provide trauma-sensitive care and consider the impact of past trauma on the young person’s presentation, using DBT as a stabilising foundation for future trauma work where appropriate.

·       To actively contribute to service evaluation, audits, and clinical research within the DBT-A pathway, including the collection and interpretation of outcome data.

·       To promote a psychologically informed culture across the MDT by sharing formulation-based thinking and offering case-specific advice when appropriate.

·       To ensure a safe working environment by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of risk procedures, safeguarding protocols, and personal safety guidance, including managing incidents involving distress, dysregulation, or aggression.

·       To remain actively engaged in professional development, including attending DBT supervision, maintaining professional registration, and participating in relevant CPD and training events.