What is DBT skills training?

DBT skills training is an evidence-based treatment developed by Marsha Linehan to assist individuals in changing behavioral, emotional, thinking, and interpersonal patterns associated with day-to-day problems.  In our Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills class you will learn strategies to live in line with your values and goals, enhance your sense of self and relationships with others, build awareness and gain control over your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors and learn healthy ways to cope with stressors.

Three 8-Week Modules

Learning Objectives

This class is comprised of 4 learning objectives:

1. Mindfulness:
   Learn to be fully present in daily activities, increase happiness and reduce suffering
2. Interpersonal Effectiveness:
   Learn how to improve, maintain, and find balance in relationships, set limits, be assertive and end destructive relationships
3. Emotion Regulation:
   Learn to better understand and be in control of your feelings, be flexible in your thinking and manage difficult feelings
4. Distress Tolerance:
   Learn to work through challenging situations, decrease rumination, accept things you do not have the power to change and increase sense of inner peace

Who is the DBT skills class appropriate for?

Anyone wanting to learn new skills to replace thoughts, emotions and behaviors that are interfering with your day-to-day life and relationships.  Research has demonstrated that DBT skills classes are effective for a wide range of concerns, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, binge eating, suicidality, etc.  For specific research studies please visit https://behavioraltech.org/research/evidence/

**This DBT Skills training is a standalone option for individuals interested in learning DBT skills and is not part of a comprehensive program.  All clients must have an individual therapist to participate in DBT skills class.

Entry dates for new participants:

New participants are welcome at the beginning of each new 8-week module. Inquire for more information.

Required Commitment:

Participants are encouraged to commit to an entire 24-week program.

This program is offered in 2 ways: Virtually and In-Person in our Northern Virginia office.

For virtual participants: Please note that due to the therapist’s licensing requirements, participants of this program must be located in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia – plus anyone residing in any of the 32 states where psypact has been enacted. Psypact is a program that allows licensed therapists to practice virtually in approved states. Click here to see whether your state is included in the list of eligible states.

An assessment and initial consultation is required for admission into the program.

For more information or to register for this program, please contact us at 703-687-6610 or [email protected].

Learn more about Dialectical Behavior Therapy at The Ross Center.