Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Groups are intended to help individuals learn more effective strategies for managing their emotions and to engage in behaviors that are consistent with their values and goals.
DBT skills group covers the following skills modules:
- Mindfulness – A set of “core” or foundational DBT skills. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment, on-purpose and non- judgmentally
- Distress Tolerance –Set of strategies aimed at dealing with crises and accepting one’s reality
- Emotion Regulation – Set of skills related to understanding the function of emotions and improving one’s ability to cope effectively
- Interpersonal Effectiveness – Set of skills related to getting your needs met, maintaining self-respect and improving relationships
- Walking the Middle Path (specifically developed for teens and their families/helpful for everyone) – Skills that teach how to convey understanding, teach dialectical thinking and help individuals resolve conflict
These skills groups are similar to taking a class or a seminar rather than a therapy process group
- The group meets once per week for 90 minutes.
- Each week, a new skill is presented following homework review and a brief mindfulness practice.
- Homework is assigned in order to facilitate the ability to learn and generalize incorporating skills into one’s life.
- It takes approximately six (6) months to complete a full cycle of DBT skills group.
- Group members are required to be in individual therapy to participate in the skills group.