What is DBT?

DBT is a therapy that was initially developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. at the University of Washington to assist people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding this disorder is still in existence which can lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment. DBT targets the extreme emotion dysregulation (often resulting in suicidal thoughts, self-harm, substance use) that is a hallmark of this disorder in a number of ways throughout the treatment, with skills training being one of the main interventions. DBT remains as a gold standard treatment for people with BPD.

Here is an interesting and informative article about the best evidence-based practices for suicidal clients:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/courage-heal/202202/therapies-can-prevent-suicide-and-help-rebuild-lives

In the years since DBT’s inception, it has also shown to be effective in many other mental health disorders when regulating emotions is a problem. Individuals with substance use disorders, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder for example, can benefit from DBT by learning skills that can ultimately result in being more in control of emotions versus being at the mercy of situations and emotions.

There is a difference between attending a DBT skills group and entering a Comprehensive DBT program.

Either one may be recommended, depending on your needs and goals.

A true, model-adherent, comprehensive DBT program has the following components:

• Clients are assessed using evidence-based measures (BSL-23, DERS, WCCL) for appropriate treatment planning.

• Initial commitment sessions with an intensively trained clinician – clients are presented with a DBT treatment manual explaining comprehensive DBT, expectations, the phone coaching process, etc.

• Weekly individual sessions with an intensively trained clinician – focused on target behaviors (S/I, self-harm, substance use, anger outbursts, etc).

• Daily diary card completion and phone coaching for in-the-moment skill application – diary card review happens ONLY in weekly individual sessions.

• Weekly two-hour skills groups with two intensively trained facilitators.

• All facilitators and individual therapists attend weekly consultation team and have either completed the Linehan Behavioral Tech intensive training or will be taking the BTech foundational training while participating on consultation team and gaining experience.

• Clients are voluntary and are presented with a full explanation of DBT, the expected length of treatment, and have committed to participating.

• Outcomes are measured after each DBT module.

• DBT clinicians are committed to ongoing DBT training and education and regularly practice the DBT skills in their own lives.

Can I just do skills groups and not comprehensive DBT?

It depends!

The level of care that you are assessed at should determine your treatment plan. If you have a therapist outside of Southwest Colorado DBT who recommends that you attend a DBT skills group, we are happy to consult with you and your therapist to determine the most effective way to proceed. Enrolling in a skills group does require that you have a primary therapist with whom we are able to communicate and requires pre-registration. We limit our group sizes to 8 people for maximum benefit to all. Two clinicians are present for each skills group.