Introduction to DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

Overview: This community education class is designed to provide an overview of DBT and offer opportunities to learn and practice new skills. Participants will be asked to reflect on new concepts and practice new skills between sessions. Duration: 8 weeksTime: 90 minutes per session, plus 30 minutes of practice outside of class each weekCost: Free Who Should Attend: Individuals 18 or older who have an interest in learning about the overall structure of the DBT model and approach to treatment.

The term "dialectical" reflects the idea of combining seemingly opposing ideas -- acceptance and change -- to increase well-being. DBT is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts and includes a greater focus on emotion management and positive social interactions. DBT was developed to help people cope with extreme or unstable emotions and harmful behaviors. DBT can help to promote living more positively in the moment, managing intense feelings in healthier ways, decreasing self-destructive behavior, and communicating respectfully to build self-esteem and improve relationships with others. Anyone can benefit from learning and incorporating the skills into daily life.

What You Will Learn There are four primary areas of focus in the DBT model. Each area will be addressed for two sessions, for a total of eight weeks:

• Mindfulness and Acceptance: Becoming more aware of self and others, attending to each present moment, and understanding the healing power of acceptance.
• Distress Tolerance: Feeling intense emotions like anger or shame without reacting impulsively or using self-injury or substance abuse to dampen distress.
• Emotion Regulation: Recognizing, labeling, and adjusting emotions in the moment.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Navigating conflict and interacting assertively to get needs met.