Current DBT Skills Training Groups
A Note on DBT Group Admission Criteria
DBT emphasizes the practice of skills taught in a group format and reinforced by the individual DBT therapist. DBT Skills groups are taught in four (4) modules: Core Mindfulness Skills, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness. We offer groups during the day and after work hours to cater to diverse schedules. We also offer Adjunct DBT groups specifically for
1) Parents and loved ones of individuals who struggle with Emotion Regulation 2) DBT for Eating Disorders
3) DBT for Substance Use Disorders
4) Advanced DBT Group
5) Advanced DBT family skills group
Clients are asked to practice skills daily and to track their urges on a skills diary card that is reviewed with the individual therapist to reinforce the practice of skills for the client’s maximum likelihood of success in changing harmful behaviors. For this reason, the DBT model requires that the person enrolled in a skills training group also attend weekly individual sessions with one of our DBT- trained therapists, who are also responsible for the phone coaching element of treatment.
PLEASE NOTE: We don’t admit solely on the basis of interest or need. Engaging in DBT treatment is a significant commitment lasting at least 8-16 months. Therefore we require an intake interview for assessment and orientation. The intake assessment helps us determine whether a) the skills will help each particular candidate; and b) that the candidate is ready to take on the challenge of implementing what is learned in a DBT skills group, and to make skills coaching calls to the individual DBT therapist before engaging in dysfunctional behaviors. PLEASE NOTE WE CURRENTLY DO NOT ADMIT GROUP-ONLY INDIVIDUALS, DUE TO OUR WAITLIST, WE RESERVE ALL GROUP SPOTS TO INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMPREHENSIVE DBT PROGRAM.
To be admitted into our DBT program, clients must first set up an intake and orientation appointment with one of practice’s intensively trained DBT specialists. If a client meets criteria for admission, they are asked to review the guidelines for group skills training and a treatment contract to confirm their understanding of the program’s requirements. Clients also agree to periodically fill out outcome evaluation measures to help us review progress and program effectiveness.