Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

The goal of DBT is to create a life worth living.

What is DBT?

DBT is an evidence based, structured therapy that focuses on teaching skills in four core areas (mindfulness, acceptance & distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness). Through our comprehensive DBT program you learn how to be present in the moment, make choices that get you closer to your goals, and deal with all that life has to offer.

Dialectical means opposites and true things, for example: People are doing the best they can and they have to try hard, do better, and be more motivated to change.

Through group education, coaching, and individual therapy, DBT goes beyond traditional talk therapy to enhance progress of the opposites of acceptance of reality and change toward goals.

DBT Core Areas:

Mindfulness – The foundation of DBT: Be aware of ourselves in the present moment to make an active behavioral choice.

Distress Tolerance – Deal with difficulties situations and feelings. Be able to regulate in the face of life even when it’s hard.

Emotion Regulation – Listen to our emotions in order to change them. Increase positive emotions and lower the volume on unproductive emotions.

Interpersonal Effectiveness – Manage your relationships. Increase confidence and skill in asking for what you want and set healthy boundaries.

Who can benefit from comprehensive DBT?

While everyone can benefit from DBT skills, the comprehensive program is excellent for individuals who may:

• Struggle to manage intense emotions like anger, sadness, or fear.
• Engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms like self-harm or substance abuse.
• Experience repeated challenges in relationships and communication.
• Have difficulty with impulsivity and focus.
• Have multiple mental health diagnoses and/or a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.

What does comprehensive DBT involve?

Our program involves three key components:

• Weekly Individual Therapy: You'll work with a trained therapist to develop personalized skills and strategies for managing your emotions, navigating difficult situations, and moving toward your goals.
• Weekly Group Skills Training: In a supportive group setting, you'll learn and practice the DBT skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
• As Needed Phone Coaching: DBT therapists are available to you for the duration of the program to coach participants in applying skills to their lives.

NOTE: FSR's DBT therapists work in a consultation team — meaning your therapist isn't working alone. The full team's knowledge is behind your care.

What are the benefits of DBT?

Research shows that DBT can be effective in helping people:

• Reduce self-harming behaviors and suicidal thoughts.
• Improve emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
• Develop healthier coping mechanisms.
• Build stronger relationships.
• Increase overall quality of life.

What does the program look like?

Adults:

Participants agree to a year long program, in order to build and solidify skills that make lasting life change.

Individual therapy is scheduled between the therapist and participant on a weekly basis.

Group Therapy is held on Tuesdays from 9:00-11:30am.

Module Schedule (adults will complete two full cycles):

• Mindfulness (2 weeks)
• Distress tolerance (6 weeks)
• Mindfulness (2 weeks)
• Distress tolerance (6 weeks)
• Mindfulness (2 weeks)
• Emotion Regulation (6 weeks)
• Mindfulness (2 weeks)
• Interpersonal Effectiveness (6 weeks)

New participants join at the Mindfulness modules.

There is weekly homework to be completed in order to support skill use outside of group and individual sessions.

Adolescents:

Participants and a caregiver agree to a 6-month long program, to build skills and have support in the home.

Individual therapy is for the participant only, but family therapy can be offered as needed to support DBT skill acquisition.

Group Therapy is for both the participant and the caregiver on Wednesdays from 4:30p-6:30p.

Module Schedule (adolescents complete 1 full cycle):

• Mindfulness (2 weeks)
• Distress tolerance (4 weeks)
• Mindfulness (2 weeks)
• Walk the Middle Path (4 weeks)
• Mindfulness (2 weeks)
• Emotion Regulation (4 weeks)
• Mindfulness (2 weeks)
• Interpersonal Effectiveness (4 weeks)

New participants join at the Mindfulness modules.

There is weekly homework for both adolescent and caregiver to be completed in order to support skill use outside of group and individual sessions.

How to get started?

Individuals interested in DBT can complete an intake packet (Forms hyperlink) or call our front desk (507-287-2010) and ask to speak to an intake specialist to start with DBT. A provider at Family Service Rochester will complete a diagnostic assessment (or update a recent assessment) and consult with our DBT team to make sure the individual meets the requirements (if not, they can still be set up with an individual therapist).

If DBT looks like the right fit, we start with an orientation session so you know what to expect before treatment begins. For adolescents, a caregiver joins that first meeting. From there, individual therapy begins right away — and you'll join a skills group as soon as the next onboarding session opens up.