DBT skills training is a major component of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (although not the only component). At MCCC we offer weekly 2-hour DBT skills groups that cover the core curriculum of the 5 DBT modules. This is what DBT research has shown to be most successful. In every 2-hour group meeting, clients will:
- review skills practice from last week’s lesson
- learn new skills from the curriculum
- practice new skills through an age appropriate experiential activity
- and receive a homework assignment to practice skills between group sessions
For more information about DBT skills groups in general check out these articles!
- What is A DBT Group?
- A Parents Guide To DBT Skills Group
- Can DBT Skills Group Be Taught Online?
- Who Benefits from DBT?
- Adherent DBT vs. DBT-Informed Treatment
DBT Curriculum Modules On A Rotating Basis
We cover each one of the 5 curriculum modules over the course of a 6-week session. We STRONGLY* advise you plan to participate in 5 consecutive sessions in order to learn all of the skills in the entire curriculum.
*Research shows that the best clinical outcomes happen when clients learn a full set of skills. In fact, the research calls for you to do each module twice; the first time to learn the skills and the second time to generalize them and apply them more habitually.
Interim Mindfulness Between Each DBT Module
In between each module, we offer all current participants the option to participate in an interim mindfulness group session. It’s adherent, optional, and free!
- It’s adherent DBT: In adherent DBT, we teach mindfulness in between every module because is the foundation of all skills. Mindfulness skills help guide us to know which skills to use and when. Therefore, frequent refreshers in mindfulness make all the rest of skills even more effective.
- At MCCC, it’s optional: Some folks benefit from a one-week break to reset and prevent therapy burnout. Others benefit more from the routine of a consistent therapy schedule and don’t wish to alter their weekly schedules. As such, we let this be your choice!
- It’s FREE: In order to allow our staff a one-week break between modules (they’re pretty great and definitely deserve it), interim mindfulness is led by clinical interns. And since intern-led sessions are not reimbursable by insurance, we are happy to offer this to our clients at no cost!
Multifamily DBT Skills Group for Teens and Parents
At MCCC, our teen group includes parents too. The research driven evidence-based approach DBT says this is what works. And we agree! Even though we walk the line between flexibility and adherence, this is something we feel strongly about, and so we require parent participation.
It’s incredibly important that parents understand that the purpose of their participation is NOT to better support their kids in implementing skills at home, nor to evaluate or judge their child’s efficacy of skill use. Rather, it is to implement the skills themselves! When parents are utilizing skills alongside their kids,
- families develop a shared language to talk about both problems and solutions
- parents begin role modeling preferred behaviors and improving the overall dynamics at home
- teens are more engaged and willing because they see their parents doing the same
- parents start to notice and appreciate their kids’ improvements sooner (and vice versa!) which leads to more positive momentum
As such, the optimal situation is that all parents attend sessions with their child. If circumstances render that completely impossible- despite all best efforts to problem solve- we accept that only one parent may be able to attend. In such cases, please expect to navigate ways to share information with the non-attending parent. We do ask that the same parent attend all 6 sessions within any given module to preserve consistency and cohesion within each module.
Admission into Our DBT Skills Groups
Admission is rolling and entry points are at the beginning of each 6-week module. Group members can join in, or opt-out, in between any 6-week module. All we ask is for a minimum commitment of 6-weeks at a time.
| TEENS & PARENTS | ADULTS | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 14 – 18 years | 19+ years |
| Day & Time | Tuesdays 5 – 7pm ET | Wednesdays 6 – 8pm ET |
| Location & Eligibility | Rockville Office open to all | Virtual Meeting MD & VA residents |
| Group Leader | Laura Goldstein | Sara Varga |
Entry dates correspond with the first week of any module.
Once you submit an inquiry form, our intake coordinator will be in touch with you to gather more information and explain more about our program.
If you have been referred for DBT therapy by a current provider, a very helpful next step of admissions is for either our intake coordinator or the group leader to speak to that provider. This helps us to
- thoroughly understand if their recommendation is for comprehensive DBT or if our more flexible approach is sufficient.
- discern the appropriatness between DBT and RO-DBT, which is a newer evidence-based modality, and in some cases a more fitting approach to a similar presentation.
- ensure that we are tailoring skills lessons to your specific and unique needs.
An Intake Session is Required for Adolescent Families
Prior to joining group, parents are required to have a one-time intake session with the group leader. During this assessment the group leader will:
- ensure that DBT is the appropriate clinical fit for your family. Who wants to sit in a 2-hour group every week if it’s not actually applicable or relevant to their lives?!
- ensure that your family is an appropriate fit for the current group. This helps us preserve cohort cohesion, which evolves with every session.
- orient you to groups expectations. We want your to come to first session with accurate expectations.
Depending on the circumstances, we may or may not suggest for an additional pre-group meeting that includes your kiddo.
A note about Adult DBT skills group (19+)
While we don’t require an specific assessment prior to group enrollment, we do still glean appropriateness and cohort cohesion through our intake call. Although the age range is vast, generally speaking, the adult cohort consists of adults living independently. We teach DBT skills in a way that allows participants to envision using them in whatever context fits most for your specific life-stage. This could mean via post-secondary education OR a work-place setting, within relationships, either as a single person OR with a spouse and children, or even just what happens for you internally within your mind. All participants will learn to balance coping through their intense emotions with preventing/changing the circumstances that cause those emotions.
Your Investment in DBT Skills Group
The cost of each 6-week module of DBT group is $1200 which equates to $100/hour of group. Upon enrollment, we will collect a $200 deposit to secure your spot in group. Subsequently, we will collect $200 for every week of group, until you communicate your plans to discontinue between modules. Your $200 deposit will be applied to your very last group session.
The required intake assessment for our adolescent cohort costs $275, which includes the one-time in-person 50 minute session, as well as a very thorough follow up with recommendations regarding how to proceed.
Check out our FAQs or ask our intake coordinator for more information about resources to support out-of-network reimbursements and/or network exception requests with your health insurance provider!
What Clients Are Saying About DBT Skills Group
“[Group] really helped me learn how to deal with things that in the past would have caused me an emotional blow up. The skills I learned are amazing. This program is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“[Group leader] was a fantastic teacher and I looked forward to every class each week, even if it was two hours long. She used real life examples and pushed us to think outside the box for how to use and apply these skills in every day life. The knowledge I gained is unmatched and I am so happy I now know more about DBT.”
“I was firmly convinced DBT wasn’t for me. I’ve never been more happy to be proven wrong! [I benefited from] having my struggles validated by the other group members. I love the variety of activities in a two hour session too.”
Join a DBT Skills Group in Maryland, Virginia, or DC
- Contact our DMV area counseling clinic
- Have a 10-15 minute free consultation call.
- Sign a release allowing us to collaborate with your current provider, if applicable.
- Enroll in the next DBT skills module available and work on skills to improve your mental and relational health
DBT Skills Group Calendar
Other Services Offered at Montgomery Counseling Center in Rockville, MD
DBT sounds great, but it isn’t quite what you want…
DBT is a mindset and a way of life. If it’s not for you, that’s okay. We weave these themes into all of our therapy services in North Bethesda, MD which is near Washington DC. We also offer RO-DBT, which is a newer evidence based modality for similar presentations but with a different root cause.
Our counseling approach doesn’t have to be 100% DBT. In fact, you can still benefit from the wide variety of mental health services our therapists offer. Our services include parent coaching, family therapy, teen therapy, child therapy, adult therapy, and couples counseling. We also offer an online parenting class for parents of struggling teens or young adults. Also, some of our clinicians provide supervision opportunities for mental health professionals seeking their professional license. We are offering in-person services in Rockville and online therapy in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. Reach out to our therapy clinic to learn more about the many ways we can help you or your family heal and thrive.