About DBT Skills Group
We have two Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Groups. Our adult group (18+) meets Saturday from 10am-11:30pm and 1pm-2:30pm. Our teen group (13-17) will be meeting Mondays from 6pm-7pm.
**Please Note: There is currently a waitlist for our Saturday 10am Group. If you are interested in this time, please contact our office to be added to the waitlist.**
DBT is an evidence-based practice that has been shown to be effective for the therapeutic interventions for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression.
DBT focuses on teaching therapeutic skills in four areas.
1. Mindfulness - helps individuals be present in the moment and allows individuals to focus on the emotions they are feeling and understand the fleeting nature of those emotions which will decrease the power their emotions have on their direct actions and decisions.
2. Distress Tolerance - individuals learn to tolerate and mitigate negative emotions so they do not feel controlled or feel they need to escape from their negative emotions.
3. Emotional Regulation - individuals learn strategies and take back their power to manage intense emotions.
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness - learning techniques that allow individuals to communicate effectively with others in a way that allows them to maintain self-respect, advocate for themselves, and strengthen relationships. Learning that it is ok to ask for what you want directly and avoiding possible future resentments and hurt feelings.
Material
The adult group utilizes the book "DBT Skills Training Manual" (Second Edition) by Marsha Linehan. Books are available for purchase from us or can be found on Amazon or other book retailers.
The teen group utilizes "Skills Training Handouts for DBT Skills Manual for Adolescents" by Jill H. Rathus and Alex L. Miller. The workbook is available for purchase from us or can be found on Amazon or other book retailers.
Timeframe
We will work through the book in its entirety which can take anywhere from 6 months to a year depending on group dynamics. There is no commitment required to attend all sessions, however, clients will not get the full benefit of the skills group if leaving before completing the material. Clients can also complete the skills group a second time for further benefit as there is a wide variety of skills that can be overwhelming at the beginning, though it becomes easier with practice.
Cost
Self-pay cost is $35 per session. We are happy to verify if insurance will cover group therapy for you. In some cases, it may be more cost effective for clients to self-pay. The Practice Manger will go over options with clients.
FAQs
What does a group session entail?
During the first 20-30min of the session, clients are encouraged to share how they used the skills from the previous week. No client is ever forced or shamed into sharing; however, clients do gain more benefit from the shared experiences. Clients receive validation, empathy, support, and encouragement from their peers and the group facilitator. The next 30min-hour of the group is spent going through a mindfulness exercise and learning the new skill from the workbook. Clients are asked to practice their new skill and complete the worksheet homework exercises. Clients will not be shamed for not competing the worksheets; however, you will find a greater benefit if the skills are practiced throughout the week.
When can I join?
This is an open group, meaning the group is ongoing and new people can join the group at any time. Group members who complete the book do graduate and leave, and new seats will open. Our groups are kept small 6-8 clients max to ensure that no one feels lost or left out. The practice manager maintains a waitlist and will reach out via email when openings become available. If there is enough interest, additional groups will be formed in the future so please inquire!
What if I have other questions?
If you have any question, you can reach out to our office using the Contact Us form or give us a call at 757-210-3090 and we will answer any question and get you set up!