Commitment

Complete skills diary card and bring to group for review.

Do homework and try to experiment with the skills in everyday situations.

Utilise phone coaching ph: 0210 264 7562

You may not attend under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If overuse of prescription medication is an issue for you, please consult with us about this.

We ask that group members commit to attending for the length of time agreed before starting the program. We acknowledge that this can be a challenge, and that it is normal to at least occasionally feel an urge to stop therapy. When urges to stop therapy arise please discuss these urges with your individual and group therapist.  

Like any form of therapy, DBT or doing therapy in a group does not work for everyone. If the group therapist is concerned about whether your attendance in the group is helping, they will whenever possible discuss these concerns with you. If the group therapist believes strongly enough that group is not working for yourself or the group, and that this cannot be remedied, they may discontinue your attendance temporarily or permanently. 
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Diary Card Review Session - Tips

This is a time to reflect on the skills you’ve used during the week. Focus on skills you’ve been able to apply, what you’ve found difficult and times when you haven’t used skills. This will help you to figure out how you might be able to apply them in the future.

Try to identify thoughts, feelings, body sensations and urges.

Try to give a broad overview rather than going into the details of the story (what happened); and the thoughts, feelings, urges and actions.

Call your problem behaviours ‘problem behaviours’ rather than specifically naming them. This is particularly important in regard to behaviours that may be triggering for other group members.
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Attendance

Attend regularly and inform therapists beforehand if you are going to be absent. Please don’t send messages via another group member, call us yourself. 

Please try to be on time. If you’re late please enter quietly and take a seat to avoid disruption to the group process.

After missing 2 sessions in a row you will need to sit out the rest of the five week module. As well as the ‘letter of the law’ we take into account ‘the spirit of the law’. If you miss a lot of sessions (not necessarily in a row) we will contact you about reviewing your commitment. 

If you’re more than 30 mins late or absent for a session, this will count as an absence for the whole session. If you are over 30 mins late we still encourage you to attend as you will still benefit from the skills presented that day.  ​
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During the Session

If you’re feeling distressed during the group, try  -  as best you can - to use skills you’re learning to manage the distress.

If you need some time out from group please check in briefly with the therapist before stepping out of group. The therapist will check if you are feeling safe, and if necessary will help you to use skills or supports to be safe.  

Please don’t leave the building where group is held without informing the therapist. We worry about you (and we have legal responsibility for you). 

Please don’t discuss details of suicide or self harm acts or urges with other group members - it can be triggering and places them under an enormous responsibility. 
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Confidentiality

What is said in group stays in group. The only exception is around suicidality or self harm issues where you may need to inform your individual or group therapist, or another health professional involved in your care.

Please do not talk about others when they are not present. If you have interpersonal difficulties with another group member talk to your group therapists. If you have difficulties with a group therapist and you do not feel ready to discuss it with them, talk to your individual therapist. 

As agreed with you prior to starting the program, information is shared between DBT group therapists (if your group has more than one therapist), with your individual therapist, with other health professionals treating you, and during DBT consultation meetings/supervision.
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Interaction

Please turn off all electronic devices. If you’re expecting an important call, just let us know. It’ll usually be OK.

One person at a time talking. Try not to interrupt or talk over another person. 

Respect others’ ideas, opinions and experiences. Also the stage they’re at, which may be different to yours.

No swear words, please. 

Respect boundaries (yours and others). Don’t disclose more than you are comfortable with, nor push for information.

Be careful of others’ physical boundaries, because people have different levels of comfort with physical touch.  

Complaint Procedure

Your group therapist will do their best to help you within the DBT framework. Because they are human, they will sometimes make mistakes. If you have concerns, we encourage you to discuss them with your individual or group therapist. If you feel unable to do this, or that this has not resolved the issue, then we encourage you to write your concerns to the DBT consult group. This letter can be conveyed via your group or individual therapist. Your therapists are also bound by professional codes of conduct and complaint procedures that vary depending on their profession.
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Contact Outside of Group

If you’d like to have contact with someone outside the group, rather than asking them for their details, consider offering them your own. Be aware that some group members may only want to be friends within the group setting. This may not have anything to do with whether they like you or not.

Be respectful of friendships that you make within the group. DBT Group members are not the same as your other friends. Asking your DBT friends for emotional support (outside of group) puts them under enormous responsibility, and we ask that you do not do this. Use phone coaching or talk to your individual therapist. 

‘Private’ relationships can interfere with therapy. If you do have contact with other group members outside of group time, be willing to talk about it openly in the group and not keep it secret. Intimate/romantic relationships also interfere with therapy. If this situation develops, please discuss it with the group therapist. If a private relationship does develop between group members then one or both group members will need to change to another group or treatment program, which can be disruptive and is best avoided.

To find out more, book a initial meeting with Michael Apathy by calling 021 0264 7562, by clicking book now, or using the form here.