DBT therapy...

One of the reasons I am anxious and apprehensive about going to therapy today, among other things. Is that my T and I will be talking about me going to a DBT group in the very near future. Has anyone be through this group, if so what can you tell me about it.....how many weeks is the program? Did it work for you?

Everyone on my Mental Health Team, thinks it would be great for me. But they make it sound like a magic bullet. The thing is, I heard it doesn't work for everyone. I also have social axiety disorder, and just the thought of going to a group causes me a great deal of well.........anxiety.

Another thing I can't seem to get a straight answer from T is, will I still be able to see her twice weekly as I currently am. The reason I would like to continue to see T 2x a week is becasue, I was hoping she could help me work throught the DBT exercises during one session, and during the other session I would still be free to work on my day to day stuff.

I hope someone can offer an answer for you. Ive heard mixed things but surely someone here has been in dbt group..

Hello, Thornstoroses, congrats on agreeing to participate in a DBT group! If the people leading the group are well trained (ie. certified training and closely supervised by Marshia Linahan's group out of Washington State) you are in for a tough, challenging but rewarding experience. If the group is run by individuals who have gone to a couple of "training" conferences on how to "do DBT", than your experince might be a bit more hit and miss! I'm not saying that it won't be helpful, but I am sincerely cautious when I hear about some of the things that are advocated in some DBT groups.

DBT is a manualized form of therapy--that means that the therapists trained inthe technique are required to follow a format that they are trained in. It means that the people conducting therapy need to be professionally trained in the techniques, they are supervised by being video taped for a period of time in how they apply the required techniques. And they need to use the techniques in their own dealings with each other in their supervision groups. It means that they meet on a regular basis with other therapist's using the technique to analyze and review their ability to adhere to the prescribed techniques.

Unfortunately, many organizations attempt to conduct the groups after a few "introductory" type conferences that introduce them to the techniques. In other words, in my opinion, they think that they can "wing it!" Once they attend the conference, some individuals believe that they are "trained" to provide the treatment. That's not the case.

What I've noticed on this forum is that many are referred to groups that "do" DBT but when they talk about how their groups are conducted, it's pretty clear that the leaders are not properly trained and they are NOT receiving the proper supervision and follow up that all well trained DBT therapists need!

Look up the Linehan Institute and it will give you a lot of information of what to ask your therapist about the group you are being referred to. My question is: Is your therapist "trained" in DBT. If she is, then she should be able to provide the backup you need to practice the skills you are learning in group. It is a requirement of DBT that the person BE in group and have an individual therapist who is trained in the techniques to supplement what is taught in group. Some DBT groups require that you NOT be in therapy with a non trained DBT therapist while in the group. . . that said, they do want you to be in individual therapy to supplement and practice the new skills you will be learning . . .it just needs to be someone who works in the DBT framework . . . in fact, well trained DBT therapist use the techniques with each other when they meet for supervision. It is a full emersion technique of practicing if a therapist is doing it right! Hope this answers some of your questions.

thorns, I would try to get a straight answer from your current T about any DBT group participation "requirements". We have seen here where new groups of practitioners are trying to become certified in the DBT process, and frankly they become almost cult-like. For instance, in their effort to prove DBT "works", they won't "let" you do regular talk therapy at the same time. (Well, nobody was going to stop me from seeing my T.) So I would say be careful what you're getting into. But I did learn a lot and am very grateful for the experience.

I'm currently in a DBT group and I continue to see my regular T as well. My regular T is familiar with DBT, but not trained in it like the therapists who lead my DBT group. The place where I go for DBT it totally fine with me continuing to see my regular therapist, but I guess that could depend on the place. DBT has been helpful for me, but I agree it might not be the "magic bullet" for all problems. I do think; however, at least from my experience, it is worth a try. In my opinion a lot of the concepts from DBT could benefit pretty much anyone. I would ask your T and the place where you will be doing DBT about things like the length of time you are expected to commit to the group, and if you can continue to see your current T. I would ask them to give you a straight answer so that you can make the decision that is best for you. Take care.

Is the reason you would go to a DBT group for social anxiety disorder or some other reason? If another reason, what is most important to you to work on right now? There are other group formats for working on social anxiety disorder. For example, there is a group version of CBT that has been quite effective for social anxiety disorder. DBT teaches emotional regulation skills. What is it you want to work on first? It may be hard to find a group that is ideal for everything. I think groups can be really useful for dealing with social anxiety disorder. You get to practice communicating with a variety of other people, using conversation skills, dealing with people's reactions, etc.

Most therapies don't work for everyone, so this need not hold you back. There are no guarantees for any psych intervention. I believe the evidence base for DBT is strongest for borderline personality disorder. This doesn't mean that DBT can't help people with other issues, just that most of the research has been done for this indication.

Before beginning a DBT group, I think it is important to know what your T thinks this would help you with and what her role will be--will you continue to see her, for DBT individual therapy, for non-DBT individual therapy, how frequently, etc. She should be able to give you a straight answer to these questions, and if she can't, then it seems like she could at least answer "I don't know" and share her game plan with you for finding out more.

I had a great experience with a DBT group. The facilitator was very well-trained in DBT and went through it herself as required. What she offered, though, was not the strict DBT. The concepts were DBT, but the structure was not as intense, which was most appropriate for those of us in the group. We covered all of the material in the modules and practice of the skills was an important part of the process, as was some sharing with each other. DBT helped me more than any other therapy I've received so far (and I've lost count of the number of Ts I've seen). I'd definitely recommend giving it a try and talking to your T to see what you'll be doing with her while also going through the group.

I will be going to DBT for BPD, that is one of my DX's I also have Social Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, OCD and a few other DX's. My T is trained in CBT, and she has been trying to convince me that DBT would be very helpful for me, and it has taken her almost a year to convince me. I will be starting the DBT group on July 24th. She is hoping that the DBT group will also help with my Social Anxiety Disorder, she said it is a closed group, and that no new clients will be attending once the group has started.

My T is trained in CBT, She sees me 2X a week and is willing to continue doing so. But she needs to get the ok to continue 2X aweek, from the clinic where I see her for therapy. and also where I will also be attending the DBT group. She will still see me at least once a week, for sure.

My regualar T is familiar with DBT, but was never trained in it. She said she wants to help me with it the best she can. But that this will be a learning experience for her as well.

[quote=rainboots87;2409055]I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.

Thanks for your input rainboots.

The groups runs once a week for 90 min, on Tuesday afternoons. I also see my T on Tuesdays and Fridays. I am going to try to have my appt with my T and the group run back to back with one another on Tuesdays. I also think she said it is a 24 week program.

The T that runs the CBT group has been doing so for about 5 years and my T says that she does a great job. I am also expected to continue to see my regular T....

[quote=Jaybird57;2408970] If the people leading the group are well trained (ie. certified training and closely supervised by Marshia Linahan's group out of Washington State) you are in for a tough, challenging but rewarding experience.

Look up the Linehan Institute and it will give you a lot of information of what to ask your therapist about the group you are being referred to. My question is: Is your therapist "trained" in DBT. If she is, then she should be able to provide the backup you need to practice the skills you are learning in group. It is a requirement of DBT that the person BE in group and have an individual therapist who is trained in the techniques to supplement what is taught in group. Some DBT groups require that you NOT be in therapy with a non trained DBT therapist while in the group. . . that said, they do want you to be in individual therapy to supplement and practice the new skills you will be learning . . .it just needs to be someone who works in the DBT framework.quote]

Yes, the DBT T is certifed and supervised my Marsha Linahan's group. Which has me a bit stressed, when I hear how tough it is. But, my T has assured me, she will be helping me through this experience the best she can.

I plan on looking up the Linehan Institute web site and will be bring the questions to my T tomorrow. I was told I could switch to an individual DBT T while attending the group, but I love my T and Do Not want to switch to another individual T. I understand that it would be very helpful to have an individual DBT therapist. But that would be to many changes for me, which I am not able to do right now.

Thanks everyone for your input.

I just finished a 20 week DBT program, run by2 therapists who were thoroughly trained in DBT. It was the most useful therapy I've done, and I've done lots. It was hard and intense, particularly because there's homework, but if you really put in the time to do the homework and practice the skills between sessions you'll get a lot out of it. In my group we were all required to be seeing an individual T, not necessarily a DBT T, to deal with any issues that came up as a result of the DBT program, so I continued to see my regular T.

Hope it works for you.

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I did it via email so I can't really comment on the group situation bit. I thought the skills were really handy. Even though I don't really have an issue with the stuff that the skills cover, its the sort of stuff that I will keep sitting there in my email and if the need arises i will go right back to those emails. Stuff like what to do when you have something come up and you are freaking out - it shows you how to calm yourself down and be ok in the present moment. In my opinion there is a lot of stuff there to help you reassure yourself "I am ok right now".