Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop healthier coping skills.
While DBT can be effective in individual therapy, many people find additional value in participating in DBT groups.
These groups provide a supportive environment where adults can learn, practice, and reinforce life-changing skills alongside others facing similar challenges.
What Is DBT?
DBT was originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder.
However, it has since been proven effective for a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
DBT integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, focusing on the balance between acceptance and change.
DBT focuses on four core skill areas:
- Mindfulness: Cultivating awareness of the present moment without judgment, helping individuals stay grounded and manage emotional reactions.
- Distress Tolerance: Building resilience during crises by learning how to tolerate and survive intense emotions without resorting to harmful behaviors.
- Emotion Regulation: Identifying, understanding, and managing overwhelming emotions in healthy, constructive ways.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Enhancing communication skills to build and maintain healthy relationships, set boundaries, and assert personal needs effectively.
These skills empower individuals to respond to life’s challenges with greater emotional control and resilience.
What Is a DBT Group for Adults?
A DBT group is a structured, skills-based therapy group led by trained DBT therapists.
Unlike traditional support groups, DBT groups focus on teaching specific coping strategies and behavioral skills to help participants manage emotions, improve relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors.
In DBT groups, participants engage in:
- Skills Training: Learning and practicing DBT skills through discussions, exercises, and real-life applications.
- Group Activities: Role-playing, mindfulness exercises, and interactive activities to reinforce learning.
- Homework Assignments: Practicing DBT skills outside of group sessions to apply them in everyday life.
- Peer Support: Sharing experiences and learning from others in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
DBT groups provide both educational content and emotional support, fostering a sense of community and accountability.
Who Can Benefit from a DBT Group?
DBT groups are beneficial for adults experiencing a range of emotional and behavioral challenges, including:
- Chronic feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Intense mood swings or difficulty regulating emotions
- Impulsive or self-destructive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, binge eating, self-harm)
- Struggles with anger management or emotional outbursts
- Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships
- Anxiety, stress, or overwhelming emotional responses
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related symptoms
- Perfectionism, low self-esteem, or negative self-talk
Whether you’re looking to manage emotional distress, improve relationships, or build resilience, DBT groups provide tools to support lasting change.
Benefits of Participating in a DBT Group for Adults
DBT groups offer unique benefits that complement individual therapy:
- Structured Learning: Groups follow a clear curriculum that systematically teaches DBT skills, ensuring comprehensive learning.
- Peer Support: Connecting with others who face similar challenges fosters a sense of belonging, reduces isolation, and provides validation.
- Real-Time Skill Practice: Group settings allow for immediate feedback and opportunities to practice new coping strategies in a supportive environment.
- Accountability: Regular group sessions encourage consistency in applying DBT skills, promoting personal growth and progress.
- Cost-Effective: Group therapy is often more affordable than individual sessions while still offering valuable therapeutic benefits.
- Increased Self-Awareness: Hearing different perspectives helps participants gain insight into their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Many participants find that the combination of structured skills training and peer connection accelerates their progress in managing emotional and behavioral challenges.
What to Expect in a DBT Group Session
DBT groups typically meet weekly, with sessions lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. A typical session includes:
- Mindfulness Practice: Each session begins with a brief mindfulness exercise to center attention and promote present-moment awareness.
- Review of Homework: Participants discuss their experiences practicing DBT skills between sessions, sharing successes and challenges.
- Skill Introduction: The therapist introduces a new DBT skill, explaining its purpose and how to apply it effectively.
- Interactive Exercises: Group discussions, role-plays, or activities to reinforce learning and practice skills in real-time.
- Homework Assignment: Participants receive exercises to practice the new skill in their daily lives before the next session.
DBT groups are structured, but they also encourage open discussion and peer support, creating a balanced environment for learning and connection.
Key DBT Skills Taught in Group Therapy
DBT groups cover a range of skills designed to help individuals manage emotions, improve relationships, and navigate life’s challenges. Core DBT skills include:
- Mindfulness: Techniques to increase present-moment awareness, reduce reactivity, and cultivate self-compassion.
- Distress Tolerance: Strategies for coping with crisis situations without resorting to harmful behaviors, including grounding exercises and distraction techniques.
- Emotion Regulation: Tools to identify, understand, and manage intense emotions, reducing emotional vulnerability and reactivity.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Skills for asserting personal needs, setting boundaries, and maintaining healthy relationships while respecting others.
These skills are practical, evidence-based tools that participants can apply immediately in their daily lives.
Is a DBT Group Right for You?
Consider joining a DBT group if you:
- Struggle with overwhelming emotions or frequent mood swings.
- Find it challenging to manage stress or cope with crises effectively.
- Engage in impulsive behaviors that negatively impact your well-being.
- Have difficulty maintaining healthy relationships due to communication issues or emotional reactivity.
- Feel isolated in your struggles and want to connect with others facing similar challenges.
DBT groups offer a supportive space to learn new coping strategies, build emotional resilience, and improve your overall quality of life.
DBT Groups for Adults at Restorative Counseling Services
At Restorative Counseling Services, we offer DBT groups for adults designed to help individuals build emotional resilience, manage stress, and improve relationships.
Our experienced DBT therapists create a compassionate, structured environment where participants can learn, grow, and thrive.
Whether you’re new to DBT or looking to deepen your skills, our groups provide the tools and support needed to create lasting change.
Conclusion
DBT groups offer a powerful combination of skills training, peer support, and professional guidance to help adults manage emotions, reduce distress, and improve relationships.
By learning practical tools in a supportive environment, participants gain the confidence and resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your personal growth journey, consider joining a DBT group to build the skills for a healthier, more fulfilling life.
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