Dear Sunflower55,

I am just.... I can't even put words on the things that come to mind over your experience, no matter the kind of therapy at any facility. You do not deserve to be treated that way. I am glad you did not go back and hopefully started the other program. How is it going?

I was introduced to DBT over 9 years ago, after being with CBT for a long time and many other therapies before that. CBT is incorporated in DBT and has worked wonders for me. I will no longer go to any other therapist but a truly DBT trained therapist and I ask their credentials; 1 course does not make them DBT trained. However, as you did, no matter the therapy, being treated as you were, I too would have left and found someone else. My experience with a truly trained one, sounds nothing like what you experienced, in the skills class (group) you went to the therapist will guide the session, not the other way around. They are there to teach skills and skills class is weekly but it is NOT group psychotherapy. They do use personal examples from the participant's lives but briefly, not dominating the class.

Then you meet on another occasion (weekly or more) one-on-one individually with a therapist, for more individual issues; often times it is a different therapist than those who conduct the skills classes but the same one every week for individual. Sometimes out of necessity it is the same person for individual and skills class depending on the program. The program I initially went to was 6-7 months, was to be repeated, and could be as often as needed. There are graduate programs and some just stay with a therapist even after 1 "round"/program, depending on the person, insurance, etc.

The DBT experiences I have had, and there have been many in several states, have not even come close to your experience. The facility seems to have some issues besides the ones with their program, asking for a drug test? I can't imagine.

I am impressed with your strength and courage in speaking up for yourself, finding the right provider for you, and continuing with therapy, DBT or not. I just know it was a life-saver for me and the skills continue to be. I wish you much success as you move forward. I hope you will let us know how you are doing. Wishing you all the best.