Adapted DBT IOP

Group sizes will range in size from 9- 15 group members (approximately 3-5 families). The maximum number of families in a group will be 6. DBT group leaders will go through the following modules – following the DBT Skills Manual for Adolescents.

1. Core Mindfulness – 2 weeks
2. Distress tolerance – 6 weeks
3. Orientation and Mindfulness Skills modules – 2 weeks
4. Distress Tolerance Skills module – 4 weeks
5. Orientation and Mindfulness Skills modules – 2 weeks
6. Walking the Middle Path Skills module 4 weeks
7. Orientation and Mindfulness Skills modules – 2 weeks
8. Emotion Regulation Skills module – 4 weeks
9. Orientation and Mindfulness Skills modules – 2 weeks
10. Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills module – 4 weeks (see appendix for full schedule).

This will take 24 weeks (6 months). New group member entry points will be at the Core Mindfulness unit.”

This involves the following components that work together to help you:

Multi-Family Skills Group (MFSG)

Skills groups are like classes that are held once a week for 2 hours. They teach you skills for coping with very painful experiences, to improve your relationships, to help you focus better on the things that are important to you, and to manage your emotional ups and downs more effectively. It is expected that you will participate in exercises and discussions, just as you would in any class. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and adolescents attend the skills group together.

Individual DBT Therapy

You will receive at least one session weekly with your individual DBT therapist. This is where you will learn to apply the skills that you learn in groups to your very individual and unique issues. You’ll be asked to bring your completed diary card to each individual session. Parent training sessions are also available as needed and conducted by one of the facilitators of the skills group (if one of the facilitators are the individual provider for the adolescent, the other facilitator will be the parent-training therapist).

Skills Coaching

Coaching is the one of the most important parts of DBT. Everyone needs coaching. This is the part of DBT where you get help with learning how to use the skills in real life situations outside of therapy. This is also available for parents through the parent-training therapist. Coaching calls are brief and usually last 5-10 minutes or less. They are intended to help you identify and use skills to manage what is happening in that moment. When the call ends you may not feel better but you will have a plan to follow through on helping yourself feel better.

Coaching calls should not be your first or last option. You will also use your “Crisis Plan”.

Coaching calls are not available for clients after they have engaged in self-harm behavior. The goal is to call before engaging in self-harm to find an alternative way to cope

Here are some examples of when coaching can be helpful:

• Sometimes, it can feel very challenging to use skills that you have learned in group when your emotions are very high.
• Maybe you need to use a skill that you haven’t yet been taught in group.
• Sometimes your urges will overpower your brain, and you won’t be able to think of skills that you already know.

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