What are the DBT Skills?

DBT Skills are an important part of the DBT program and consist of four modules:

• Mindfulness
• Distress Tolerance
• Emotion Regulation
• Interpersonal Effectiveness

What are the benefits of the DBT Skills?

• Improve your ability to manage your emotions
• Reduce your overall vulnerability to stress
• Get through situations without making them worse
• Navigate relationships effectively
• Reduce impulsivity
• Reduce avoidance behaviors
• Stay on track with and achieve your long-term goals
• Find more joy in the moments that are joyful

Who can benefit from the DBT Skills?

• People who struggle with depression
• People who struggle with anxiety
• People who act impulsively and behave in ways that are not consistent with their goals
• People who struggle with relationships
• People who avoid their emotions and/or difficult situations
• People with borderline personality disorder

Do I have to reveal any personal information or talk about myself during group sessions?

No, the DBT Skills group is simply a class to learn the DBT Skills and is not a process group. Group members can choose to share examples from their own lives. You get to choose what you are comfortable and not comfortable sharing during group discussions.

Do I have to participate in individual therapy in order to participate in a DBT Skills group?

No, you do not have to attend DBT individual sessions in order to participate in a DBT Skills group. However, attending individual therapy is recommended, as doing so provides an opportunity to learn how to better apply the skills in your daily life.

Do I have to attend all of the skills modules or can I choose which ones I want to attend?

You can choose which skills module(s) you would like to attend. For example, you may want to attend the Distress Tolerance and Emotion Regulation modules and not the Interpersonal Effectiveness Module. However, there is tremendous benefit from attending all of the modules.