Dialectical Behavior Therapy was initially developed in the late 1970's by Dr. Marsha Linehan as a treatment protocol for adult women who coped with their emotional vulnerability in ways that were either suicidal or self-injurious. DBT has been shown to have great therapeutic value with more people with more diverse problems. Women, men, and adolescents with eating disorders, significant problems with mood regulation, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress Disorder have also received tremendous benefit from DBT Skills Training. Group therapy in conjunction with individual therapy has been proven to be the most effective treatment protocol. The Center for Contextual Change provides DBT training in stages that are consistent with our Collaborative Change Model.

Adult Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training Group

This group is open to all adults seeking to transform cycles of misery and distress into a "life worth living."

Cognitive Behavior change strategies are balanced with the practice of mindfulness and acceptance strategies. These groups are designed to help clients practice new skills in situations with low to moderate levels of distress. The umbrella of dialectical thinking helps the client and the therapist achieve an effective balance of validation and change. The four skills sets that are taught are 1) core mindfulness skills 2) distress tolerance skills 3) interpersonal effectiveness skills and 4) emotion regulation skills. Each participant must have an intake interview with the group facilitator and be in individual therapy.

Adolescent DBT Skills Training Group

The adolescent group has the same therapeutic focus as the adult group. This group is designed for ages 13-18. Each participant must be in individual therapy with a DBT or DBT- informed therapist, or be willing to be seen for individual therapy at The Center.

DBT Skills Training for Gay, Bi-sexual, and Trans-gendered Adult Men

This group has been developed as a means to provide additional emotional safety for this population. Individual therapy is a pre-requisite for this group also.

Behavior Analysis Group

This group addresses the stage two goal of moving towards change in situations with low, medium, and high levels of emotional distress. Participants work to identify long standing vulnerabilities and how those vulnerabilities impact their self-view, their work-view, their behavior, their capacity to cope, and the consequences of their current ways of managing distress. All participants must have completed a skills training group and be in individual therapy.

DBT Intake

To make an appointment or a referral for any DBT group please call the DBT Intake Mailbox at 847-676-4447 Ext. 305