Dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, is all about finding balance in your life.  It’s an excellent way to manage distressing emotions, negative behaviors, and interpersonal relationships.  I have found my group to be very helpful for all kinds of people—from the teen with depression and social anxiety, to the 28 year old struggling with an eating disorder, or to the 42 year old having marital issues.  The group can be for men and women alike, but it is split into men’s groups or women’s groups, which I find is best therapeutically. If you think it could be a good fit for you, here are ten more reasons to help you decide to contact me today:

Ten Reasons to Try my DBT Skills Group

1) Develop skills to manage overwhelming emotions.  DBT skills are designed to help you better manage emotions that can feel like they’re dragging you down.  If you’re numbing things, the group can help you to learn how to reconnect with your emotional side. It teaches you to have new awareness and validation of your feelings.

2) Learn effective interpersonal skills.  Part of DBT is learning how to communicate more efficiently in your relationships, set boundaries with other people, and practice being assertive.  Better interpersonal skills can help you be more satisfied in your relationships.

3) Learn to stay present and be mindful.  DBT has to do with focusing on the present, instead of ruminating in negative events of the past, or worrying about the future.  This helps you in learning to be mindful, which is an awesome way to feel less anxious about life.

4) Practice accepting where you are while working toward positive change.  Acceptance is a major part of DBT, and it’s part of mindfulness, as well.  DBT teaches that acceptance is something to practice; it’s not an easy thing to just “have” all of the sudden.  It’s normal for a person to practice and gradually improve the skill of having acceptance.

5) Let go of judgment.  Letting go of judgment is also a big part of being mindful—see how DBT’s emphasis on mindfulness comes into play a lot?  Again, this is a skill that takes practice, but my group will show you ways to apply it in your daily life.

6) Connect with others who are going through similar issues.  Group can be so powerful in sharing with others.  Hear their stories, get information about the resources they use, and tips from them on how to manage the overwhelming emotions.

7) Find accountability in a safe and fun environment.  If you have trouble committing yourself to going to individual therapy at times, being in a group can help motivate you more.  When you don’t show up to group, you know that five other people are going to be missing you that day, not just your therapist.  I have even heard that group members connect after groups by heading down to Spot Coffee on Elmwood Ave, or grabbing dinner at Cantina Loco on Allen St.  I advise people to be cautious about forming these connections, but I do believe they can be helpful in some circumstances. The important thing is to always put your own well-being and self-improvement first!

8) It’s more beneficial than other groups, because it is closed, not open.  That means the same people come every week, for a certain number of weeks.  We usually start with a six week commitment, but the last couple of groups I ran decided to continue on past that because of how helpful the members were finding it.

9) Get the validation that you need.  Validation is such an important part of therapy.  People need to know that their feelings matter and are justified.  It can be helpful to have not just one person validating you, but a group of people, ranging from four to eight members.

10) If you have depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, a personality disorder, an eating disorder, past trauma, or other mental health diagnosis.  DBT (Dialectical behavioral therapy,) was created to help people with borderline personality disorder, but the skills can be applied to people with other types of issues.  One of the members said last week in my Tuesday night group, “They should teach DBT in schools! It should be required for everyone to learn this stuff.”  DBT can really work for anyone if they’re motivated to create new and positive changes in their lives. 

Written by

Christine Frank, LMSW

Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Eating/Weight issues, Tweens, Teens, Young Adults

Christine understands what it’s like when you’re trying your hardest and an invisible hand is holding you back. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, or stupid, or unworthy of good things—it just means you could use some help. It helps to connect with someone who knows that your stories are worth listening to. Christine will hear your story. She’s a great listener.

Christine is easy-going, friendly, empathetic, non-judgmental. She’s funny and real in a down to earth way. She loves working with pre-teens, teenagers, and young adults to help them move through those difficult life transitions where a person can feel lost.

With Christine’s guidance and encouragement you can take the first step to a happier, healthier life.

716.430.4611  |  cfranklmsw@gmail.com