DBT Skills Training
Groups
For Parents, Siblings and Family Members
DBT SKILLS TRAINING GROUPS:

FOR PARENTS

Pat facilitates a 12 session, bi-monthly DBT Skills Training Group for parents of individuals
with emotion dysregulation or mental illness. The structured format of these groups allows a
great deal of learning to take place.

These groups cover many skills that were designed originally by Marsha Linehan for
individuals with disorders of Emotion Dysregulation. The skills are applicable to everyone  and
are taught, in these groups, specifically tailored to parents of individuals suffering with any
kind of mental illness or emotion dysregulation. The groups are exclusively for parents and
stress the learning of skills, rather than “processing and sharing”. Change takes place by
learning these skills in a nonjudgmental and accepting environment.

Group participants are introduced to 5 modules of specific skills (Mindfulness, Walking the
Middle Path, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness).
Parents have reported finding these skills helpful in learning how to manage, communicate
and relate to their children (of any age). Parents also report that they find the skills helpful in
their own lives as well. Though real change is the responsibility of the “child”, the skills do
help parents to interact with their child in ways that decrease emotionality, and increase
effective communication and enable a calmer homelife.

This group requires a commitment to all the 12 sessions because the emphasis is on learning
skills and each session builds on the ones before it. The information and skills learned in the
group become clearer with each passing session and with the practice and homework that
participants do over time. In addition, since the same group of people learn together, the
group becomes supportive and an effective learning environment is developed.

Participants are asked to bring a 3 ring binder for the outline and handouts that are
distributed at every group. If someone does miss a group, the materials are sent to the
participant through e-mail. Each group session begins with a review of the skills learned the
previous session and with a discussion of the homework and practice that is done be each
participant. Then new skills are taught for the remainder of the session.

The groups take place in Rockville. Groups meet in the evening from 7:15-9:15 with the door
opening about 15 minutes before the start of the group. The groups meet on the same day of
the week (usually Wednesday) twice a month for a total of 12 sessions.

Participants can attend alone or as a couple. The next group will begin in the Fall, 20
10. You
can put your name on the waiting list and you will be notified two months prior to the start of
the group. At that time, you will be expected to send in a two session nonrefundable fee to
ensure your spot in the group. Space is limited.

IN THE WORDS OF ONE GROUP PARTICIPANT:

The classes provided us many new tools to communicate and connect with our consumer
son. One of the main objectives of the course is to enable participants to reduce or avoid
conflict in relationships and thus enable more productive communications. Also we find we
can apply the same tools and techniques to other relationship in our lives. There is some
homework, though not enough to be a time burden for most people. Tho not required at all,
I would recommend couples take it together when possible. That way you will both be on the
same level and be able to talk more easily about and experiment with the concepts in
between classes – not to mention help each other with homework. You have a “sounding
board.”

Pat is an excellent teacher with consummate command of her material. She will both lead the
class and also follow when productive work is going on. Finally, the class brought together a
group of people with similar experiences and problems which was a continual source of
inspiration, information, anxiety relief, creative ideas, and most of all, friendship.


FEES

For an individual: $480 for all 12 sessions
For a couple: $840 for all 12 sessions
If this payment schedule is prohibitive, please discuss this with Pat.

See the
flyer for more information

********************************************************************

FOR ADOLESCENT, YOUNG ADULT AND ADULT SIBLINGS

Pat facilitates groups for the  “healthier” siblings of children, adolescents and young adults
who have serious emotion dysregulation. In an accepting environment, with individuals who
have also experienced the chaos and confusion of a home with a seriously emotionally
disturbed individual, these young people are able to share their experiences as well as learn
some of the skills and strategies to help them navigate these difficult situations. In addition,
the participants learn to be accepting and nonjudgmental of their sibling while also learning
to see the illness their sibling suffers from in new and different ways. They leave the group
feeling stronger and more accepting of themselves as well as their sibling.

These groups are 3 sessions and are scheduled on an as-needed basis.

If you are interested in taking part in this group,
contact Pat.


*************************************************************************
*************************************************************************

GRADUATE DBT GROUPS

Pat facilitates a 4 session "Graduate Group" for individuals who have already participated in a
Parents/Family Members DBT Skills Training Group. This group provides an opportunity to
further develop and practice skills already learned - such as validation, Opposite Emotion and
Distress Tolerance. Group members will also be introduced to the tool of Chain Analysis as a
way to understand the context in which behaviors occur and the consequences of those
behaviors. Participants actively facilitate mindfulness exercises and role playing.

If you are interested in participating,
contact Pat.


*************************************************************************
*************************************************************************


REFRESHER CLASSES

DBT requires Practice, Practice, Practice for the skills to become more familiar and easier to
utilize when opportunities arise. This refresher class, for people who have already completed
the entire Skills Training Group, allows participants to review and practice skills they have
found helpful and wish to use more effectively.

These classes are facilitated a few times a year.
To find out when a new class will be offered,
contact Pat