DBT Groups

At Sunstone Counseling, we offer a range of DBT groups to help individuals develop skills for managing emotions, improving relationships, and building a life worth living. DBT is a powerful therapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices.

What is DBT?

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy designed to help people who experience intense emotions, have difficulty managing relationships, and engage in self-destructive behaviors. DBT teaches skills in four key areas:

  • Mindfulness: Paying attention to the present moment without judgment.
  • Distress Tolerance: Coping with difficult emotions without making things worse.
  • Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing emotions effectively.
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Communicating needs and setting boundaries in relationships.

How Does DBT Work in Groups?

DBT groups provide a safe and supportive environment to learn and practice DBT skills with others. Groups typically meet weekly and involve a combination of skill teaching, practice exercises, and group discussion.

Who Benefits from DBT?

For those who have been diagnosed or seeking help with:

  • Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
  • Self-harm
  • Suicidal behavior
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Substance use disorder
  • Eating disorders, specifically binge eating disorder and bulimia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
How Does DBT Work in Groups

Our DBT Groups

DBT Skills Group for Adults

This group focuses on teaching and practicing the core DBT skills. Participants commit to eight weeks at a time, with the full program lasting 24 weeks.

DBT Skills Creative Arts Group for Adolescents

This group uses creative techniques to explore and reinforce DBT concepts in a way that is accessible and engaging for adolescents.

DBT Skills Creative Arts Group for Middle Schoolers

This group uses creative techniques to explore and reinforce DBT concepts in a way that is accessible and engaging for middle schoolers.

DBT Skills for Parents of Teens

This group equips parents with tools to support their teens who are struggling with emotional regulation and mental health challenges.

DBT Groups FAQs

What is DBT group?

DBT is a skills-based group. Each week, your facilitator will teach a new skill (or set of skills) to tolerate distress, live more mindfully, regulate emotions, or have more effective interpersonal interactions.

In a group setting, you are learning alongside your peers, which offers a unique opportunity for mutual support. Hearing from someone who has been in your shoes and has started effectively using DBT skills or working through barriers together as you each face challenges is an invaluable experience that cannot be obtained through individual therapy.

DBT group is designed as an adjunct to individual therapy. It is recommended to meet with an individual therapist in addition to participating in group, as they provide two different forms of support. Group provides education on new skills, while individual therapy offers space to process your personal experiences and emotions.

Each group session follows the same structure.

  1. We start with a mindfulness activity, which ranges from guided imagery to small art projects.
  2. Next, we review the skill from the previous week, discuss what it was like to practice the skill independently, and work through any barriers, for example anything that didn’t go as we planned, or simply how to remember to practice the skill.
  3. The facilitator teaches a new skill or set of skills. We will learn why the skill is important, when it is most helpful, and how to use it. Depending on the skill, we may practice it together or walk through an example of how it can be used.
  4. We wrap up the session by assigning “homework,” which is simply how you will practice the skill throughout the week.

It is a relatively small group. We never have more than 8 participants and 1-2 facilitators.

Our groups run for 90 minutes. We do not stop for breaks, but you are welcome to step away as needed.

The full program is 24 weeks, split in to three 8-week modules. To get the most benefit from the group, we recommend completing all three modules. While each module focuses on a different area, the skills build upon and complement each other throughout the full program. Some clients only attend one or two modules based on the type of skills they are interested in learning, but many clients who complete the full program decide to continue for a second round or return for a refresher in the future.

Yes! Many insurance companies will provide reimbursement for DBT group. We can walk you through the information to provide to your insurer and what questions to ask. We will provide superbills to submit for reimbursement at your request.

We require a commitment to the 8-week module when you enroll. Starting something new can be difficult, and we want you to get an accurate feel for the group before deciding whether DBT is for you. We are always happy to talk with you about any issues you experience. Once the module is complete, it is entirely up to you whether you sign up for the next one.

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Benefits of DBT Groups

  • Learn and practice DBT skills in a supportive environment.
  • Gain insights from others who are facing similar challenges.
  • Develop a sense of community and belonging.
  • Receive support and encouragement from group members and facilitators.

Join A DBT Group Today

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How Can We Help?

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