DBT Skills Groups

Clients will develop individual, specific goals for the group. In general, DBT skills groups will help you learn how to change emotions, behaviors and thoughts that create chronic distress and prevent you from moving towards your life goals.

We follow the DBT group structure as outlined by Marsha Linehan’s DBT Skills Training Manual and Worksheets. The group is taught in 4 modules. In between each module, we review mindfulness for 2 weeks. The four modules are:

Mindfulness: You will learn the practice of non judgmental awareness of the present moment and how to focus your attention where you want it to be. Learn to cultivate your inner wisdom to know what is best for you in the moment.

Emotion Regulation: Increase emotional awareness and develop clarity about the function of your emotions. Develop skills to change emotions and reduce the emotional intensity that can cause problems in your life.

Interpersonal Effectiveness: This module will help you skillfully navigate conflicts in relationships. Learn how to get your objective, maintain relationships and stand up for yourself without letting emotions get the best of you.

Distress Tolerance: Develop a toolkit of skills to help you get through a life crisis without making things worse. Increase acceptance skills when things don’t turn out the way you want them to.

Group meets weekly for 90 minutes via Zoom meeting. We go through 2 weeks of mindfulness at the beginning of each module and it takes approximately 24 weeks to complete the class. Many clients decide to complete 2 rounds of skills group in order to enhance skills learning. Members will receive a schedule on the first day of group outlining the syllabus.

Homework Review: Clients will have time to go over their homework from the prior week

Mindfulness: Each week we do a mindfulness practice with the goal of presenting a variety of practices and formats to encourage members to develop a practice on their own.

New Skill: We present a new skill using the handouts and worksheets in the text as well as added content as needed to enhance learning.

Client Participation: It is not required that clients share their personal experiences in group AND it is encouraged that clients find a meaningful way to participate in the group.