|
Under Pressure: Using DBT and ACT Skills for Safer DV Supervision
SESSION INFO
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Session Type: Workshop
Domestic violence (DV) cases present uniquely high risk supervision challenges, including coercive control dynamics, emotional dysregulation, technology facilitated abuse, and frequent threats to victim safety. While Core Correctional Practices (CCP) provide an evidence based framework for effective supervision, officers often report difficulty translating CCP principles into actionable interventions during brief, high stress supervision contacts. This session introduces a practical supervision model that integrates CCP with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) skills. Participants will learn how to stabilize emotionally charged encounters, interrupt violent or antisocial thinking patterns, and redirect behavior toward prosocial choices—all within typical 15–30 minute office visits. Grounded in Risk Need Responsivity (RNR) and Coordinated Community Response (CCR) principles, the session emphasizes authoritative coaching without collusion, validation without minimizing abuse, and skills based micro interventions that enhance both victim safety and officer effectiveness.
|
|
|
SESSION PRESENTERS
Liz Barnhart
Principal Court Management Consultant, National Center for State Courts
Liz Barnhart, MS, is a Principal Court Management Consultant at the National Center for State Courts. Liz leads a diverse portfolio at NCSC exploring the intersection of justice and well being and the court’s role in system change. Her work helps courts become more responsive to community needs through collaboration with specialized law enforcement, prosecution, defense, pretrial, probation, and community partners. She provides training, technical assistance, facilitation, and program evaluation—supporting initiatives from implementation through long term sustainability. Liz has extensive hands on experience with justice involved individuals and those at risk of system involvement, translating evidence based practices into organizational improvement strategies. Prior to joining NCSC, she managed county level justice and behavioral health programs and coordinated multi agency initiatives, including the DVMDT. Previous experience includes clinical case and therapeutic milieu management for children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders, and administration of a YouthBuild AmeriCorps program for emerging adults. Liz holds an MS in Sociology and is certified in multiple therapeutic and justice related practices, including Moral Reconation Therapy, Seeking Safety, ODARA Assessment, Trauma Informed Justice Response, and Mental Health First Aid.
Danielle Young
Senior Court Management Consultant, National Center for State Courts
Danielle Young, MPA, is a Senior Court Management Consultant for the National Center for State Courts with over 25 years of justice system experience. In her current role, Ms. Young has worked on several behavioral health projects, including community mapping (Sequential Intercept Mapping and Upstream Mapping) and Assisted Outpatient Treatment/Mandated Outpatient Treatment/competency dockets. She has also presented on various topics including probation best practices, emerging adults, case planning, effective interviewing, and various treatment court topics at national, state and local conferences and workshops. Prior to working with the NCSC, Ms. Young was the Program Manager in the Probation Services Division with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC), where she worked for over 8 years. While at the AOIC, Ms. Young had the privilege of leading several state-wide initiatives including training all probation managers and officers in Core Correctional Practices, adult risk assessments and juvenile risk assessments. Ms. Young also assisted in the development and implementation of statewide problem-solving court standards as well as certification of many treatment courts throughout Illinois. Prior to the AOIC, she was a Probation Officer in McHenry County and Fulton County, working with adults, juveniles, mental health court and specialized drug offenders. Ms. Young graduated from Arkansas State University with a Master’s in Public Administration and received a BA in Political Science from Western Illinois University.
|
|
|
|
|
|