DBT Skills Training
Learn concrete tools for managing emotions, tolerating distress, & improving relationships. Our skills training programs give you the strategies you need for daily life.
What DBT Skills Training Includes
DBT skills training is a structured educational program that teaches the four core skill modules of dialectical behavior therapy. Unlike individual therapy, which focuses on processing personal issues, skills training concentrates on learning and practicing specific techniques for emotional and behavioral management.
The curriculum covers mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Each module is taught over several weeks, with participants learning new skills each session and practicing between meetings. The full program typically takes 24 weeks to complete, though some clients repeat modules to strengthen their abilities.
Skills training provides worksheets, handouts, and structured exercises for each technique. These materials help you understand the concepts, practice the skills, and track your progress over time.
Group vs Individual Skills Training
Skills training can be delivered in group or individual formats. Each approach offers distinct advantages, and the best choice depends on your needs and preferences.
Group Skills Training
Group skills training allows you to learn alongside others who face similar challenges. The group format provides opportunities to hear different perspectives, practice interpersonal skills in real time, and receive support from peers. Groups typically meet weekly for two to two and a half hours and include homework review, teaching of new skills, and practice exercises.
Individual Skills Training
Individual skills training provides one-on-one instruction in DBT techniques. This format allows the curriculum to be customized to your specific needs, with more time spent on skills most relevant to your situation. Individual training may be appropriate if group settings create significant anxiety or if scheduling prevents participation in group programs.
Skill-Building Exercises
Each DBT skill is taught through a combination of instruction, demonstration, and practice. Skills training is not passive learning. You actively engage with the material through role-plays, homework assignments, and real-world application.
Homework is a standard component of skills training. Between sessions, you complete diary cards to track emotions and behaviors, practice new skills in daily situations, and complete worksheets that reinforce concepts. This practice is necessary for skills to become automatic and available during moments of distress.
Real-Life Application of DBT Skills
While DBT incorporates cognitive behavioral techniques, several features distinguish it from standard CBT. DBT places greater emphasis on acceptance alongside change, includes mindfulness as a core component, and addresses emotional regulation directly. DBT also typically includes both individual therapy and group skills training, providing a more intensive level of support.
DBT was designed specifically for individuals with high emotional sensitivity and intensity. If you experience emotions more strongly than others, struggle with impulsive behaviors, or have difficulty maintaining stable relationships, DBT may be more appropriate than standard CBT.
Who Benefits from DBT Skills Training
DBT skills training benefits individuals who struggle with emotional intensity, impulsive behaviors, unstable relationships, or chronic stress. The skills are valuable for those with borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance use concerns. Skills training can also benefit individuals without a formal diagnosis who want to improve emotional management and interpersonal functioning.
Some people participate in skills training as a standalone treatment, while others combine it with individual therapy. Your clinician at Southside DBT will help determine the appropriate level of care for your situation.
Join Our Skills Training Program
Southside DBT offers both group and individual DBT skills training programs. Our facilitators guide you through the curriculum using evidence-based methods and provide support as you develop these life-changing skills. Contact us to learn about upcoming group sessions or to arrange individual skills training.