DBT Assumptions
How many sessions of DBT (a combination of both skills group and individual sessions) can you miss before you are placed back on the waitlist?
You can only miss 4 scheduled sessions before you are taken out of group and placed back on the waitlist.
Can you come to group under the influence of Alcohol? If you do come under the influence what do you have to do?
No, you should not come under the influence AND if drugs or alcohol have already been used, come to sessions acting and appearing clean and sober.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the act of consciously focusing the mind in the present moment, without judgment and without attachment to the moment.
What assumption does this relate to "The fact that people are doing the best they can, and want to do even better, does not mean that these things are enough to solve the problem"
3. PEOPLE NEED TO DO BETTER, TRY HARDER, AND BE MORE MOTIVATED TO CHANGE.
What assumption does this relate to: "Judging and blaming are easier, but if we want to create change in the world, we have to change the chains of events that cause unwanted behaviours and events"
7. FIGURING OUT AND CHANGING THE CAUSES OF BEHAVIOUR WORK BETTER THAN JUDGING AND BLAMING.
Can you discuss, inside or outside sessions, current or past problem behaviors that could be contagious to others? WHY?
NO. This could be triggering for other participants and we want DBT group to be a safe space.
Can you be friends with other DBT skills group participants on Facebook? If not WHY? what rule is this linked to?
NO. Rule: Participants do not form confidential relationships with each other outside of skills training sessions
What assumption does this relate to: "New behavioural skills have to be practiced in the situations where the skills are needed, not just in the situation where the skills are first learned"
5. NEW BEHAVIOUR HAS TO BE LEARNED IN ALL RELEVANT CONTEXTS.
What assumption does this relate to: "There is always a cause or set of causes for our actions, thoughts, and emotions, even if we do not know what the causes are"
6. ALL BEHAVIOURS (ACTIONS, THOUGHTS, EMOTIONS) ARE CAUSED.
What is the Number to call if you can not come to skills group?
718-931-4045
What assumption does this relate to: "The common characteristic of all people is that they want to improve their lives and be happy"
2. PEOPLE WANT TO IMPROVE.
What assumption does this relate to "People have to change their own behavioural responses and alter their environment for their life to change."
4. PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE CAUSED ALL OF THEIR OWN PROBLEMS, BUT THEY HAVE TO SOLVE THEM ANYWAY.
Why do we keep names of other participants and information obtained during sessions confidential?
Because we want people to feel like they are able to share their experiences and learning in a safe space.
If someone in group asks for help or feedback, in what way should we respond?
We should respond by giving: noncritical feedback, validating each other, avoid judging each other, and assuming the best about each other.
What is an Assumption? why are they helpful?
Assumptions are things that we chose to believe "are true". E.g. I assume that I will be at work tomorrow and so I plan accordingly. They are not an absolute truth. Assumptions are helpful as they make our lives easier. It is easier to assume I will be at work tomorrow so I can plan accordingly, than worry about all the other possibilities, such as I may be hit by a bus.
What is a Dialectic? Give an example of two assumptions that create a dialectic?
A Dialectic is two ideas that appear opposite AND can be true at the same time. e.g. "People are doing the best they can AND people need to do better, try harder and be more motivate to change.:
What do you have to do each week to prepare for group?
Make every effort to practice skills between sessions- DO YOUR HOMEWORK
What kind of support can you get from DBT skills group facilitators after group?
After group, DBT skills group facilitators can offer clarification around homework and coaching around using skills.