The Institute provides Comprehensive DBT treatment. The Comprehensive DBT program “adheres” to the highly structured model researched by Dr. Linehan. We currently offer DBT programs for girls in middle school and high school, as well as young adult women. Our program for middle school or teen girls includes a parent skills group as well, designed to provide support and education for parents.
COMPREHENSIVE DBT:
Comprehensive DBT consists of 4 critical components that correspond to the evidence-based model developed and researched by Dr. Marsha Linehan and her colleagues at the University of Washington.
- Weekly Individual DBT Session with a therapist who has training in DBT: weekly sessions with a member of our DBT psychotherapy team.
- DBT Skills Training Group: weekly group sessions for skills training and review. There are 4 skills modules: Mindfulness; Distress Tolerance; Emotional Regulation; Interpersonal Effectiveness.
- Phone Skills Coaching: in-between sessions, our DBT therapists are available to provide skills coaching outside of session.
- Consultation: The DBT Team meets weekly to provide team members with consultation, education, and support.
DBT is considered comprehensive and adherent to the original evidence-based model when all four components are in place. When an individual chooses to participate in the Institute’s comprehensive DBT program, she is expected to participate in individual therapy, a skills training group, and phone skills coaching. The treatment team’s responsibility is to provide these services and to participate in the weekly team consultation meeting. We understand that DBT requires personal dedication, sacrifice, and effort in order to gain the benefits. Our Application and Evaluation Process will help you and us determine if this is the right program for you at this time in your or your family’s life. For more about the Application and Evaluation process, click here.
For the Comprehensive Program:
All services must be received at the Institute. All treatment components are mandatory.
For Middle School and Teen Participants: Parents/Guardians are required to participate in a Skills Training Group if the daughter is in a Middle School or Teen DBT program. Parents/Guardians may also benefit from DBT Parent Coaching, available at the Institute.
WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE DBT PROGRAM?
Middle school girls, teen girls, and young adult women (ages 12-28) who are experiencing the following difficulties:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Self-injury
- School/work avoidance
- Difficulty controlling actions in the face of strong emotions
- Frequent feelings of dissatisfaction in relationships
- Difficulty maintaining relationships
- Difficulty maintaining employment due to symptoms/behaviors
- Frequent and intense feelings of loneliness, depression, worthlessness, worry and anxiety
- Frequently feeling misunderstood by family and friends
- Multiple life problems
- Recent or frequent hospitalizations
- Recent discharge or graduation from a residential or wilderness program
