Interested in learning DBT?
High Quality Training
Dr. Erin Miga and Jared Michonski are DBT-LBC certified and have each been supervising and training in DBT for 14+ years.
We trained under the very best in the DBT field, including Dr. Marsha Linehan, herself, DBT treatment developer. We met in 2012 as DBT postdocs working alongside Marsha Linehan on her final research trial applying DBT to teens with suicide histories(University of Washington (UW). We both went on to supervise at UW, and started up a DBT training program with other DBT experts and collaborators at The Seattle Clinic (2017). In 2023, STAAR DBT was born.
As we reflect on our own trajectories, we feel super lucky to have had access to such excellent training in graduate school and postdoc. Now, as seasoned DBT experts, we find teaching and training up the next generation of stellar DBT providers the most fun and rewarding part of our workday. Our students keep us on our toes and add valuable and unique perspectives, just as our clients do!
STAAR’s goal is to bring our trainees to a place of providing adherent and clinically competent DBT that is individually tailored to their clients—while having fun, learning a lot, and gaining strategies for incorporating DBT into their own professional lives in a sustainable way.
Authenticity First
DBT is a hard treatment to learn. And helping to carry the burdens of our clients can feel heavy and anxiety-provoking. DBT was never intended to be practiced in isolation. We work hard to create a fun, approachable, and collaborative learning environment so that our students, fellows, and former trainees can laugh, be vulnerable, and continue to grow as clinicians and humans.
We walk the walk by modeling vulnerability and a growth mindset ourselves. We know from experience that DBT mastery (or any learning!) best occurs in a reinforcing, mutually respectful environment—one that takes into consideration the larger cultural, psychosocial, and academic context of our trainees.
A Dialectical Mindset
We work hard to embody the dialectical spirit of DBT:
We support clinicians in clarifying and observing their limits, AND stretching when needed.
We recognize students have many time demands, AND we expect our clinicians to be prepared and proactive in consulting so that our clients get effective care.
As teachers and humans, we are kind and compassionate. At the same time, we believe approaching discomfort (think role-plays! teaching group!) is an ESSENTIAL part of DBT mastery.
Get in Touch
If you are a current graduate student or recent grad who is interested in developing mastery in DBT, complete this form to explore whether we may be a good fit in supporting your training needs and career aspirations.