Chatting more about what is (and why I LOVE) DBT Graduate Group

Ever since opening LakeWest DBT Center, I've been leading DBT Graduate Groups and it is one of my favorite parts of our comprehensive DBT program. It's not standard protocol to have graduate groups for DBT, so I thought I'd share a little more here about what it is and why I love it!

The way I designed our DBT Graduate Group (GG) was to have shorter time periods of the group with closed admission - that means we have the same folx from start to end. I love this set up because in the 8 or 10 weeks we are meeting, we all get to know each other better and have the opportunity to follow along in each others' skillful journeys.

Each GG iteration has a theme of sorts. I send out an interest form to see what are some common needs and goals, and then I develop the materials for each group following a specific topic. Past themes have been: Regret, People Pleasing, Avoidance, Self-Compassion, etc. I love this because I have the flexibility to change the skill or multiple skills I bring each week based on what folx are sharing in the group and I can tailor the group theme to what group members have asked for, versus following a specific, manualized schedule. It helps to generalize those DBT skills even further when they match the needs and questions of the group!

GG is run similarly to our typical Stage 1 group. We start with Mindfulness, then homework review, and then the didactic and discussion. GG differs, though, because the discussion IS the didactic very often. The sharing of ideas, skills generalization tips, and asking questions is how we really learn and enhance the skills we are reviewing. GG also differs because members take turns leading mindfulness, rather than me, the skills trainer, leading it every time. I love this because there is so much wisdom and skillfulness in the collective, everyone contributes something meaningful and unique- in their questions, reflections, and even the mindfulness activities chosen.

GG has some admission criteria and requires some ineffective behaviors to be out of the repertoire before joining. This means that everyone who joins is in a phase of recovery to be working on emotional experiencing and participating in meeting Life Worth Living Goals. And ultimately, this means the group members are all skillful role models for one another! I love this because we aren't working on behavioral control as much, and can dive into nuances and nooks and crannies of skillful means in various contexts. We go deeper!

AND the thing I love THE MOST about GG is the community. Every single iteration I have run since the beginning of its time is filled with the most amazing crew of folx who show up, are ready to share and learn, support one another, and also display so much motivation. GG is totally optional and, tbh, a privilege for those who have met their Stage 1 goals - so it feels like a joyful event to all be together. We have fun, we laugh, we play games, and we hold space for each other as we engage with DBT in a more intensive way.

I hope you'll consider joining me for a DBT Graduate Group sometime - I'd love to have you!

Go forth and be skillful! ~ April