Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington and Director of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics. She is past president of both the Society of Clinical Psychology and the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy. A Zen Teacher, with Willigis Jaeger Roshi, she translated Zen and Contemplative practices into behaviorally specific instructions for mindfulness practice that can be taught to clients in psychotherapy.

Dr. Linehan's clinical research and writing focus on the development of effective models for transferring efficacious treatments from the research academy to the clinical community. This treatment combines the technology of change derived from behavioral therapies with radical acceptance, or “technology of acceptance”, derived from eastern Zen practices and western contemplative spirituality. The practice of mindfulness, willingness, and radical acceptance is an important part of her approach.

Kathryn Korslund, Ph.D., ABPP, is a Research Scientist in the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington and the Associate Director of the Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics. She is co-chair of the DBT Therapist Certification and Program Accreditation workgroup and on the board of directors of the American Board of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology.

Mindfulness skills have emerged as an important focus of several empirically supported treatments. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disorder, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression, mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindful meditation as part of drug addiction treatment are but a few examples. The roots of mindfulness practice are in the ontemplative practices common to both eastern and western spiritual disciplines. These disciplines are being brought together by emerging scientific knowledge about the benefits of “allowing” experiences rather than suppressing or avoiding them. Mindfulness in its totality is the quality of awareness that a person brings to everyday living. As a set of skills, mindfulness practice is the intentional process of observing, describing, and participating in reality non-judgmentally, in the moment, and with effectiveness.

This symposium will focus on how to teach mindfulness and reality acceptance skills. It will consist of practicing various mindfulness exercises drawn from DBT, an empirically supported treatment for individuals with borderline personality disorder. The symposium will include lecture, discussion, and a heavy emphasis on experiential practice. Participants will learn the newly revised and updated DBT mindfulness skills and strategies for how to integrate them into clinical practice. The course is open to both DBT and non-DBT therapists, focusing on integrating these skills within any treatment orientation.

An optional afternoon silent mindfulness retreat will be offered for those who are interested in an extended period of mindfulness practice.