Welcome  to  the  DBT  Graduate  Group!

*PLEASE NOTE* This group is only avilaible for members who have graduated from our DBT program. If you are a graduate and would like to apply, hit the button below!
We created this page to answer a few questions for you about our current DBT Graduate Group and how it works. If ever you have a question, feel free to call our main number for more information. We hope you find this group helpful to building lives worth living and maintaining the skills!

What is a DBT Graduate Group
Unlike a DBT Skills Group, this group is loosely modeled after the DBT Consultation Team for therapists. We begin with mindfulness, check-in with each other, set an agenda for the meeting that best supports our needs, and finish with committing to working on something before the next group. We also fully expect to support each other both inside and outside of group time.

Our Goal
I don't need to tell you how difficult life can be or how easy it is to find yourself drifting away from skills use. Life is really hard! And doing it without support is nearly impossible. The primary function of this group is to:
  1. Assist you towards your Life Worth Living goals,
  2. Keep you committed to the skills, and
  3. Establish a community of like-minded people to help ensure balance in your life and keep you on track long term.

Member Expectations
This Graduate group leans a bit more process-oriented, which means the group itself plays more of a role setting the agenda of what we will be discussing in group. This is different than a DBT skills group which leans more goal-oriented and classroom style.  It might take a couple sessions to get used to it, but there's much to benefit from this group style. 

To help with the transition, here are a few bullet points to keep in mind. These were a few suggestions offered by Marsha Linehan to her clinicians on a Consultation Team (which this is loosely built off of):
  • Listen to and validate members who wish to share or process their experiences.
  • Consult with members who want consultation.
    • Get agreement on the problem presented and get it defined behaviorally (is the member looking for problem solving, validation, cheerleading, praise, sympathy?)
  • Participate, remembering that every member has something to say, i.e., staying silent throughout an entire meeting is not participating.
  • Support and address team members who have an issue with the group itself.
  • Highlight “elephants-in-the-room” and topic avoidance when they arise.

Getting Started
If it's your first time in group since graduating, welcome! Before you begin, here are a few housekeeping tasks and things to do beforehand.
  • Update your information in our system!! This can be done through your Patient Portal Account. If you can't remember your user name, please reach out and ask. Make especially sure your email, mailing address, and insurance information is up to date. 
  • Find your DBT skills book and bring it!
  • Mentally prepare yourself to begin this group with an open mind,  willingness to participate, and commitment to see it through.
  • Come to group on time (or a few minutes early) to settle in.

If  ever  you  have  any  questions,  feel  free  to  reach  out !