Question About DBT

Is this true about DBT? 1.) DBT is done in groups? 2.) If I don't do well in a group setting, I will have a difficult time?

Thanks for any input.

It depends on whether you're doing a full DBT program (individual therapist, skills group -- more like a class than group therapy, and coaching between sessions). There are also therapists who are trained in DBT and can teach you the skills and use the modality in individual therapy without the other components of the full program.

My therapist does teach DBT classes and he teaches DBT skills to me. In session. At the time he recommended for me to join a class. However, he was not teaching. . A lot of the skills. He taught me. In session had to do with mindfulness. But he also suggested I join a class. Because the class spends a lot of time teaching the skills and practicing them. During the two-hour session each week. You also have access. To the greater by text or phone during the week. Which helps reinforce the skills to use when you're freaking out.
So if you don't want to you can just learn the skills. With your therapist But the class is extremely helpful because it goes through the whole series. Throughout the book and it's an extra two hours each week that you're concentrating on it. You also fill out diary cards where you track the skills that you're using. . DBT class is not like group therapy dough. . I would highly recommend the class. If you can get into one. . I took the class for 2 years. And it really helped me. .

Another misunderstanding about DBT is that it's mainly for people with borderline. That is not true. I do not have borderline. I have depression PTSD and DID. the skills are hopeful for anyone Who has trouble dealing with emotion Or dealing with interpersonal relationships.

Feel free to p.m. Me if you have any specific questions. I've spent a total of like 3 years. In class and longer than that working. On skills with my therapist. Sorry my Speech to text on my phone is not working very well today.

I've never been in a DBT program, but I've had individual Ts who do DBT, and been to DBT skills group and a DBT process group (not at the same time). DBT skills group is more like a class. From my experience, there's not a lot of personal sharing except for examples or homework. And yes, there is homework. I don't really like groups. I'm very shy and don't like opening up to a group of strangers. But the DBT skills group were okay. There was one I really like, and would go back if that T was still running the group. I prefer individual Ts who use DBT. I can more easily apply the skills because they can tailor it directly to my needs.

I was in a year-long class, with group interaction, and had weekly follow-up with my T about DBT skills and group/class. In my experience with the group/class, most of the members had trouble being in groups due to the problems for which we all needed DBT in the first place. We were all in the same boat and just when I'd think I was the only one who didn't have it together, someone else seemed to be falling apart. You'd do just fine.

Thank you for your nice explanation.
about how DBT is done. It was very helpful.

I think it would help me because I have problems in dealing with people along with having cptsd, depression, anxiety, OCD, and GAD.

I will talk to my psychologist about this. He may be able to refer me to a class.

No problem about the speech to text thing. I understood your message clearly.

Thank you!!

I love my DBT group. Honestly I like it better than individual therapy in a way. I am shy but the group doesn't stress me out because it is so much like a class. They never make us share anything we don't want to and some people hardly talk at all. What I think is better about it than learning the skills one on one is that I get to benefit from other people's questions and other people's answers about things. There have been a couple of times when someone in the group has been able to explain a skill in a way that the therapists weren't able to and I actually understood it. Also, the mindfulness exercises are often fun and interesting. And I feel less "sick" if that makes any sense. I know everyone else is there because they have problems although I don't know what they are and so it feels more equal. In individual therapy I sometimes feel like the therapist is better than me. It probably isn't her intent at all, but sometimes I do.

I agree maybeblue. I got so much more out of class than privately with my T. For one thing it is an extra 2 hours each week of working just on DBT and it doesn't waste session time. I also don't feel as put on the spot in group. If you don't feel like participating much that week you can sit back. I also learned so much more listening to other's problems.

Thank you everyone for your help! I appreciate all of you for sharing your experiences with it.

I am glad that they are classes. I had a bad experience with my former group at a Day Treatment Center. Ugh!!

I'm terrible in groups, I completely clam up

Thanks for this thread, I've been wondering about DBT also.