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DBT Foundational Skills Training
(DBT-FST)
A Weekly Group offering practical skills to manage overwhelming emotions, improve relationships, reduce impulsive behavior, and build a life worth living.
What to Expect
Meet your point of contact!
You will be assigned someone who will meet with you bi-weekly for about 30 minutes. Their role is to troubleshoot any issues that come up and assist with learning skills.
Top of the waiting list - now what?
Once a clinician is available, they’ll assess whether comprehensive DBT is needed. If yes, you can start comprehensive treatment. If not, you may continue skills group for the contracted period.
I'm ready! How to prepare for group.
Click HERE for an excellent document outlining the structure of skills group, group format, and the guidelines.
Who Is This Group For?
Adults who struggle with
Mood swings, emotional overwhelm, panic attacks, high emotional sensitivity;
Difficulty building and/or maintaining relationships;
Impulsive problem behaviors (e.g. verbal outbursts, overspending, binge eating);
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, chronic stress, etc.
*Those with higher risk behaviors (e.g. Suicidal Ideation, Self-harm, Severe Dissociation, Drug or Alcohol issues, etc.)will be required to have 1)An outpatient provider who is responsible for your care (i.e. skills group only is considered an ancillary treatment), and 2) Be evaluated for our Comprehensive DBT program if indicated.
DBT Foundational Skills Training (DBT-FST)
Comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a well established evidence-based treatment developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan. Over the last 20+ years, the skills group component - what brings the most change in one's life - has been pulled from the treatment and successfully shown to be effective in it's own right. This skills training group takes the best of what DBT has to offer and teaches skills in the following areas:
Mindfulness
Increase present-moment awareness and decrease suffering
Distress Tolerance
Navigate crises without making things worse
Emotion Regulation
Understand emotions, change unwanted emotions, and reduce emotional vulnerability
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Communicate more assertively, build relationships, and build self-respect
FAQ
You can request a transfer to the full program at anytime and will not lose your place on the waiting list if applicable.
Yes! A member of our team will check in with you on a regular basis to make sure things are going okay and troubleshoot any issues that might arise.
Yes and no. We believe DBT skills can help anyone. At the same time, there are a few conditions that might get in the way. If there is no clear clinical benefit, if you are not willing to participate, or if there are some cognitive challenges that make it too hard to learn in our standard format then the group may not be worth the time needed. We hope to assess for these and other potential barriers prior to making a commitment to the group.
We always aim to do what works . We would invite you to join a skills group provided you have an outside provider that is directing your treatment while you wait. Once an individual therapist is available, we will reach out to conduct an assessment.
Sure! Click HERE to learn more about the group, the structure and format, and group guidelines.
Sure! You can commit to the group for 6 months (and have the option to stay for another 6 months). If your situation, however, warrants comprehensive DBT due to high-risk behaviors, that would be the recommended route. When a therapist is available, they can help assess this decision with you.