DBT

Not doing it now @Teesha22 but have done it in the past - 2 rounds of it. It helped enormously.

Hi @Teesha22

I have done many many years of DBT. I love it! The skills are amazing. I have made DBT skills my life manual. I am excited to discuss it with people. Ask anything!

🙂

Hi @Teesha22 ... I purchased the DBT skills workbook by Jeffrey Brantley, Jeffrey C. Wood, and Matthew McKay and am working through it on my own.

Even reading the introductory I got the feeling I was onto something that was going to work really well for me! I have undertaken other approaches like CBT and I am still ddoing other therapy in conjunction to this, but I think it's the most practical approach I have come across.

I understand that it is really common to do DBT in a group setting. Would love to hear others' experience going through this in a group setting!

Hi @Kess55

I have done both group DBT, one-on-one DBT and also self practiced through books (before i found groups and one-on-one.) DBT has become my life bible! I am very passionate about DBT skills and how effective it is in overcoming emotion dysregulation. It's also helped me see the world in a whole new way. I know the skills very well and am currently in a DBT Graduation group, where we coach each other through DBT skills. So these skills are always fresh in my mind.

I'm willing to discuss anything and everything about DBT because it is my passion!. Ask away, I am happy to help!

Thanks for your reply @Aniela . Great that you have found something that works for you. I have worked through the first three chapters so far but have not picekd up the book in the past month... work and life getting in the way (hence my belated reply..apologies!

I think I need to set some time aside each week to work through it.

Do you mind sharing your approach when you were working through it in a self-paced way?

Hi. I've completed DBT 😊

@Kess55

I bought 2 DBT workbooks that put me through the steps. There was an opportunity to write in the books. I think this one is an updated versions

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-dialectical-behavior-therapy-skills-workbook-matthew-mckay/book/9781684034581.html

the other one https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-au/books/lane-pederson/expanded-dialectical-behaviour-skills-training-manual/9781936128129?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnb79BRDgARIsAOVbhRrR2zWun67lQ-Qiojhj6fYsC4dsScMkTMQQrPQZgTEx6E-oIPM9y90aAsBCEALw_wcB#GOR010677689

I highly recommend these two to start with.

Hi @Aniela

I'm WIP, nice to meet you!

I have been bouncing from therapist to therapist this year, as I haven't been able to find one that actually helps...

I saw a new one last week and she's a DBT specialist. She picked up on my 'emotional dysregulation' straight away.

I'm going back to see her again this week.

Do you have any tips for what to bring up with her in the initial appointments? She's concerned about my safety, so I think we will be working on a Safety Plan first - which I don't mind, as I have been in crisis mode many a time recently.

I suppose I'm asking, as with some previous psychologists, they start the session with 'what can I help you with today' - and I think to myself, 'I don't know, there's so much to work on'.

And the 50 minutes just flies by and I don't feel much was achieved.

I've researched and found that Group DBT sessions are very beneficial, so will ask her if she knows where I can potentially access them. She's a private psychologist, practicing out of a private hospital.

I admire your passion of DBT, and hoping I can develop that also. I'm in a pretty dark depression and heightened anxiety, with a very negative mindset at the moment. However, I have kept reaching out for help and potentially have found a therapist who can.

Thank you!

@BPDSurvivor

Hi @WIP @Teesha22 @Aniela

Many private psychologists use elements of DBT in their therapy.

As you said, @WIP , it's the group stuff that really makes the difference. However, they are so limited. So a full DBT program shoudl consist of 12-18months of a group session and an individual session each week. The group sessions allow you to really practise the skills.

The psychotherapy involved in DBT is really helpful. Some people who do not feel ready for group sessions sometimes work in individual sessions until they feel ready to work in a group. Group sessions can be scary if you are not ready for them.

I guess working through workbooks helps if you are very disciplined. Someones, the face-to-face stuff is better because you are forced to face others and practise the strategies.

Do what works for you, and challenge yourself each time so you can grow from the experience.

BPDSurvivor

Thanks @BPDSurvivor

This psychologist is a DBT specialist, so that's going to be her approach. I'll ask about any groups she may know of that run, but as you said, they are limited in availability, so they probably won't be an option for me - even though I feel I'd be ok in groups.

I saw that Anelia had suggested Workbooks too. I ordered one from Booktopia this morning, so am looking forward to that arriving in the mail. The psychologist said she will be providing me with handouts and homework each session. So I have to be disciplined with that.

I guess I'm feeling a tiny bit hopeful that I've found someone who can potentially help me. But, I'm going in with caution, as I've been let down so many times when reaching out for help and trying many different medications and therapy (psychotherapy, TMS, & ECT), which haven't been helpful - some of which has actually set me backwards.

I asked her outright at the end of last weeks session - 'Do you think you can help me?'. I had been very emotional during the session expressing my frustration (and anger) at the medical professionals I've been dealing with this year so far. She replied, 'Yes, I believe I can'.

So, we'll see how things go....

Wish me luck!