DBT Graduates Group
Our groups include an overview of skills from mindfulness and the modules, rotating through interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation and distress tolerance on each meeting. In graduates groups we offer opportunities for sharing what is working, troubleshooting difficulties and asking questions. Participants say they feel validated when they realise how much they have retained and the new skilful ways they are using in their everyday life.
The Graduates Group is open to anyone who has previously completed an adherent DBT program, either with DBTBrisbane or elsewhere.
Booster Groups
Many DBTBrisbane graduates enjoyed the skills group element of DBT so much and valued the support of the other participants and the material, they requested an ongoing ‘booster session’. We also had enquiries from graduates of other DBT programs looking for ongoing support with maintaining skills. So we have answered this need!
Our groups include an overview of skills from mindfulness and the modules, rotating through interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation and distress tolerance on each meeting. We also teach new material that has been taught by Dr Linehan (extensions in mindfulness, emotion regulation and reality acceptance), offer opportunities for sharing what is working, troubleshooting difficulties and asking questions. Participants say they feel validated when they realise how much they have retained and the new skilful ways they are using in their everyday life.
The Booster Groups has been running since 2013 and is open to anyone who has previously completed a 12-month DBT program, either with DBTBrisbane or elsewhere. Booster Groups are available on request if there are sufficient numbers.
Individual Support
Individual Therapy is available to support clients to ensure that skills learned are kept up, becoming part of daily life and their use is extended as new circumstances arise. The aim is to be emotionally experiencing life as you live it, rather than just getting through or “white-knuckling” it. Individual therapy helps to strengthen confidence in the ability to cope with life’s ups and downs.
The comprehensive DBT program is what most people think of as “DBT”. However, this is just Stage One of DBT. Stage Two of DBT may include treating trauma or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many find that the comprehensive DBT program has given them the ability to manage the challenging emotions that such therapeutic work brings up (something that may not have been possible prior to Stage One DBT).
Stage Three of DBT focusses on problems in living, with the goal being having a life of ordinary happiness and unhappiness. Therapy in Stage Three may include work on residual anxiety and/or depression, marital or partner conflict, job dissatisfaction, career direction, or family issues.
Unlike a standard trauma-therapy model, DBT also has a Stage Four which some clients choose to undertake. Stage Four addresses greater existential issues: Why am I here? What is the meaning of life?
All our therapists are able to provide ongoing individual sessions for clients who wish to continue receiving support in applying the skills taught to their life, maintaining new ways of dealing with their world and themselves and addressing difficulties that arise.
Additionally, our therapists can also offer focused individual work to address Stage Two, Three and Four issues.