Is this normal for DBT therapy?
I been going I think for 9 months. We had a change of therapist I believe 3 months ago. One of the therapist is a social worker while the other is a psychologist.
In my experience I’m starting to feel very uncomfortable and intimated going to group DBT therapy.
My first experience was the psychologist said a word I didn’t understood what it meant, so I asked genuinely what does that word mean? and the psychologist said “any translator here”.? Well the social worker and everyone else in the group didn’t said a word. I felt ashamed because I didn’t understood the word and I asked what it meant.
The next fellowing sessions the psychologist been away for 2 weeks and so the social worker had to take the role. When the psychologist came back and the social worker was away. The group seemed very disruptive. But what happened was he asked if we have our dairy cards and he said “no one has brought there own dairy cards out” I thought to step in and said “well social worker thought be best not to do dairy cards because she thought lesson was more important “ so he said in his response “so you didn’t do it” then conversation lead to about our home work I said how I did a dear man for my mum and wrote it in a card. Because my therapist thought that be best. Because my mum can get stuck on one word and then she forget what everything else has been said, if you get what I mean. So I brought a nice card and put it on her pillow and she told me how nice the card was and I mention she has done less of what I asked in the card. Then the psychologist said “well, you probably have to say it again to her” and question me why I didn’t say it verbally.
It was really hurtful. Also during the group session this girl took her jumper off right and the therapist told her to put it back on. I don’t know why. But I thought it was abit odd. Making me feel uncomfortable to go.

((((TeaFruit)))) Can you take one of them aside (psychologist or social worker) and tell them how they are affecting you? You have a right to feel safe, and I think that for me, speaking one on one would feel safest. It sounds like you may have experience / issues with social anxiety and / or speaking up about how you really feel.

Sometimes...the dynamic of a group...IS weird. My DBT group is kind of weird at the moment, because of the group members. But the leads are fine for me. I have called them at times due to my discomfort. I hope you know you're not alone in being in a strange DBT group.

That being said, I don't like the way your interactions with the leaders leaves you feeling. That's why I think it BEST to speak to them. Do you feel you can do this? It could be a misunderstanding. That's why I recommend you talking it out with them. Or even writing them, or one of them, a letter on how you've been feeling. If you're not getting anything out of DBT group, there's no reason to be there. But maybe first, you can try working it out. No one can know how you feel, unless you tell them.

Question: when you asked what the word meant, and no one answered, did the leader end up telling you what it meant? Did you find out what the word meant?

The woman taking off her jumper...she sounds like she has her own issues. Was that what was strange to you? Her taking off her jumper? Or was it weird to you that they told her to put it back on? I'd be weirded out if someone in group started taking off their clothes.

[WishfulThinker66]

I am with KnitChick.

I'd like to see you talking to the moderators of the group about your discomfort. Are you however intimidated by them? One possible lead into such a conversation would be to ask if they have an 'open door policy'. This would be a great deal easier to gather up the courage to ask I think. The answer ought to be yes. If not, then I suggest you find someone else who can advocate on your behalf to do the talking.

I too am curious as to if you got a satisfactory answer regarding the meaning of that phrase or word that troubled you after all.

I must admit that I felt a shiver of discomfort just reading about the woman taking off her jumper. I too would feel very uncomfortable about someone disrobing in such a venue -regardless if what she wore beneath was appropriate or not. But that is just me. I have issues with other people's behaviour to begin with.

So, I think your mission is to get the message across to the group leaders that you are uncomfortable even if it means enlisting the help of a friend.

In the meantime, I hope that bringing this up and off your chest has provided some relief; and, in answer to your question, no I don't believe this is normal.