Southbridge Counseling Associates

Where to Turn…

DBT

DBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) uses cognitive behavior therapy combined with mindfulness and compassion. A psychological method to treat persons with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),  and other challenges. DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of mindful awareness, distress tolerance and acceptance.

DBT is the first therapy that has been experimentally demonstrated to be effective for treating BPD. DBT is also effective in treating patients with symptoms and behaviors associated with spectrum mood disorders.  Click here to view these credentialed programs.

All Skills Training Classes are outpatient weekly, 2 hour groups held in our shared group space.

We run our DBT Program per Marsha Linehan’s model, Including the components of:

Skills Training Classes: DBT skill training meeting structure, using lecture/teaching, Diary Cards, Target Behaviors (TB), skill commitments and follow up discussion of skills. We limit and stop process-based discussions and refer those to individual therapy.

Coaching Calls: Each client is to first contact their individual DBT therapist for coaching. If that person is not available, the DBT Coaching line, staffed by the members of our DBT Case Consultation Team, is available 8pm to 8am every workday Monday through Friday, and all hours of the weekends. That number will be made available to clients as they join our DBT program. This service is only available to our active DBT clients in Individual DBT Therapy and Skills Training Groups.

Individual Therapy: All Individual DBT Therapists provide individual DBT therapy with identified Target Behaviors, as well as secondary behaviors and Chain Analysis.  We also assist clients in identifying Target Behaviors, then personalizing the basic Diary Card to track them (i.e. if chemical usage is not a problem, but overspending is a problem, tracking the spending would be primary, noting if there is a change while drinking might be secondary) while in the program.

Consultation and Up-to-date training: Our entire team consults within our group and with others who provide DBT services in a formal Case Consultation meeting weekly. Our therapists regularly participate in DBT training with the Behavioral Tech group based out of Seattle Washington.

Minnesota Department of Human Services Approved Provider: https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/policies-procedures/adult-mental-health/dialectical-behavior-therapy/dbt-certified-providers/

How Many Skills Does it Take? by Jacqueline Stratton http://www.dbtofsouthjersey.com/blog/2017/7/15/how-many-skills-does-it-take

Link to Diary Card:    Diary Card (1)

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