DBT Group Therapy: Mastering Skills for Emotional Balance and Healthy Relationships

Did you know that dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is one of the most widely used therapies in Los Angeles? Based on cognitive behavioral principles, DBT combines the benefits of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness for a lasting recovery from substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions.

At NuView, we take DBT a step further by offering dialectical behavior group therapy, so that you can benefit from a sense of belonging and community in your healing journey.

Dialectical behavior group therapy, or DBT group therapy, offers DBT skill-building sessions in a group setting. You learn the DBT-centered skills of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness alongside members who are on similar recovery journeys as you.

Linda Whiteside, Clinical Supervisor at the NuView Treatment Center, says, “DBT is an evidence-backed therapy that was initially developed to treat borderline personality disorder. Today, it is used to treat a wide range of behavioral conditions. With dialectical behavior group therapy, NuView offers skill-building sessions in a group setting to enhance its effectiveness and lower drop-out rates. We tailor these group sessions to your needs and goals so that they are relevant to you in your healing journey.”

DBT group therapy is based on 4 core concepts that are delivered in skill-building sessions:

I. Mindfulness: You learn and practice mindfulness, which means you tune into your thoughts and emotions at a given moment. By acknowledging them without judgment, you learn to let go of the unhelpful ones without impulsively acting on them.

II. Distress Tolerance: You develop distress tolerance allows you to face crises with resilience. You learn to evaluate, cope, and distract yourself from these circumstances while also developing self-soothing techniques.

III. Emotion Regulation: You will learn to recognize and manage your emotions - mainly by increasing or reducing their intensity.

IV. Interpersonal Effectiveness: You develop enriching interpersonal relationships in your life by learning to communicate with dignity and respect, say no, and let go of any negative feelings you may have toward others.

Los Angeles’ treatment centers, like NuView, offer weekly DBT group sessions. A licensed therapist will teach you and other members a new skill every week. Post this, homework will be assigned to you so that you can practice the skills you learned outside in the real world.

The major skills you are going to learn are:

• Mindfulness
• Distress tolerance
• Emotion regulation
• Interpersonal effectiveness.

At the end of each session, you will be given a worksheet. It is a step-by-step guide to practicing the skills you acquired during the session and will reinforce your learning.

After this, you will be assigned homework to bring tangible changes. If you are unable to complete your homework for any reason, your therapist will understand the hurdles and enable you to navigate them so that you can perform better in the coming week.

DBT group therapy is used to treat a wide range of conditions, such as:

• Borderline personality disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Eating disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Managing interpersonal relationships

Yes, DBT group therapy is highly effective in treating a wide range of behavioral health conditions. Studies have shown that it effectively reduces BPD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress.

Linda Whiteside says, “At NuView’s facility in Los Angeles, we notice that our clients show improvements in the skills of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness within just 4 weeks, based on the skill-building sessions you attend.”

DBT group therapy offers the following benefits:

• Reduced behavioral health symptoms
• Psychological resilience
• Positive interpersonal relationships
• Real-time skills
• Long-lasting effects

At the same time, DBT group therapy is brief and cost-effective. It can be tailored to your needs and goals for a relevant, empowering healing journey.

If the concept of DBT group therapy resonates with your recovery goals, reach out to NuView now! We tailor our DBT group sessions to meet you where you are in your recovery so that you can heal and grow in a safe, supportive setting under the expert care of our licensed therapists.

Please do not hesitate to call us at (323) 307-7997 to connect with our DBT experts today!

1. Who is a good fit for DBT group therapy?

DBT group therapy can be beneficial for those who struggle with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions, even if other therapies have not been useful before.

2. How is DBT group therapy different from regular support groups?

Unlike peer-led support groups like AA or NA, DBT groups are therapist-led and follow structured, skills-based sessions with measurable goals.

3. Can DBT group therapy be combined with individual therapy?

Yes, DBT group therapy is often most effective when it is paired with individual therapy.

4. How long does it typically take to complete a DBT group program?

While this can vary, most DBT group programs run between four weeks to a few months, allowing you the time to learn and reinforce core skills.

5. Is my privacy maintained in DBT group sessions?

Yes, DBT group therapists set clear guidelines of respect and confidentiality so that members feel safe sharing and participating in group sessions.