New Roads Behavioral Health is extremely proud to announce that the CEO and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Team Leader, Eric Schmidt, MSW, LCSW, MBA has received his DBT Clinician Certification from the Linehan Board of Certification. He is the fifth individual in Utah, is one of only 500 in the U.S., and is among one of less than 2000 in the world to earn this distinction.
Linehan Board DBT Clinician Certification is awarded to those who have demonstrated extensive knowledge of DBT, to those who have proven ability to deliver the treatment with adherent fidelity to the evidence-based model, and to those who have established through mindfulness practice.
This was no small feat for Eric, requiring intensive study and practice. To attain certification, Eric passed a comprehensive exam measuring knowledge of the essential components, principles, and treatment methods of DBT. Many candidates do not initially pass this exam, which Eric did, because of the breadth of material it covers and the intensity of studying required to pass. Eric confirmed his ability to deliver adherent DBT treatment by submitting three consecutive videos of actual client sessions, which are then submitted for evaluation of strict fidelity. To achieve this, Eric for years submitted videos to DBT experts for coding and coaching. Finally, Eric participated in a multi-day mindfulness retreat, which he intends to do again when the pandemic is behind us.
Although Eric has been actively learning and applying DBT since the 1990s, he decided to pursue certification, which is relatively new, for several reasons. Eric has become a nationally recognized and highly requested DBT trainer. This certification further bolsters the recognition of his knowledge for those who request his workshops. He also felt this would offer unique credibility to the DBT programming at New Roads. Finally, certification fulfills a personal challenge to himself.
About New Roads Behaviorial Health Care
New Roads Behavioral Health's family of treatment programs are based upon a holistic, community-focused treatment approach, with a foundation in research and results. New Roads has residential treatment, transitional living, and outpatient options for their clients. There are three distinct and completely separate programs within the residential and transitional living focus: Pathways to Healing (PATH), Women’s Road to Healing (WoRTH), and New Roads to Healing (NoRTH). PaTH is a dual-diagnosis treatment program for young men between the ages of 18-28 struggling with substance abuse and mental health concerns. WoRTH is a program designed specifically for young women that focuses on both substance abuse and mental health disorders (including borderline personality disorder) with a strong emphasis on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). NoRTH is designed to assist clients with severe mental health disorders in achieving independence by teaching them how to successfully live a life with their diagnoses.