Denver DBT Group Therapy

Expert-Led Skills Training for Emotional Stability, Improved Daily Functioning, and Better Relationships

The “D” in DBT: Acceptance and Change

In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a “dialectic” refers to the integration of two seemingly opposing concepts: acceptance and change. This treatment involves accepting your present reality while simultaneously committing to the behavioral changes necessary to find greater ease in your life. This philosophy of balance forms the foundation of our DBT groups.

If chronic or acute stress, emotional fluctuations, and/or reactivity are disrupting your quality of life, our groups can help. With a structured curriculum facilitated by our doctoral-level clinicians, learning alongside others who are doing the work isn’t just cost-effective—it actually provides the specialized support and shared environment ideal for learning the skills to better your life. The group model is part of the gold standard for DBT skill acquisition.

See If Our DBT Groups Are Right for You

Connect with our intake coordinator, Carrie, for an initial consultation to discuss your goals, determine if our group curriculum aligns with your needs and, if so, decide which of our various in-person and virtual group options will be the best fit for you.

The 4 DBT Skills Modules

Our DBT curriculum takes approximately 45 weeks to complete. We divide the skill sets into 8-12 week sessions (depending on the module) with a review at the end of each. After the initial intake session, you can join our “open” groups at any time, and many clients find that repeating the material more than once significantly increases their proficiency with the skills.

Mindfulness: Decrease your judgments of yourself/others while increasing your presence and self-awareness
Distress Tolerance: Learn how to get through a crisis or challenging situation without making it worse.
Emotional Regulation: Acquire practical skills that help you understand and experience your feelings in a less overwhelming way.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Strengthen both personal and professional relationships by learning to ask for what you need, set healthy boundaries, and gain insight into your relationship patterns.

What to Expect in a DBT Group Session

Mindfulness & Skills Review

We begin each 90-minute session with a brief mindfulness/meditation exercise and quotation/short reading designed to promote relaxation, grounding, and focus. We then review the past week’s application of skills. While we refer to this as “homework time”, the environment is a low-stress opportunity to be held accountable to practicing the skill taught the previous week, track your progress, and share how implementing the skills is going for you.

Observational Learning, Application & Support

Observing and discussing how other group members actively apply DBT skills to real-world scenarios provides both valuable modeling and helps our members feel less alone in their struggles. Our group settings are intentionally facilitated to help members expand their understanding of the skills in an empathetic, supportive environment.

Skill Acquisition & Next Steps

During the instructional portion of the group, a new DBT skill is taught each week. The material is presented in a way that is both accessible and encourages an in-depth understanding of the skill. Our clinicians encourage engagement with the material and provide ample time for questions. By the end of each group, you will have a new DBT skill to practice over the course of the next week and specific instructions for how to either deepen your understanding of the concept being taught and/or implement the skill into your daily life.

“Wisdom and freedom require the ability to allow the natural flow of emotions to come and go, experiencing emotions but not being controlled by emotions.”

― Dr. Marsha M. Linehan, Creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, from DBT Skills Training: Manual

Doctoral-Level Expertise & Strict Confidentiality

At Denver DBT, we are committed to providing the highest standard of clinical care. To ensure effective skill acquisition, a deep understanding of the material and expert facilitation, every DBT group is led by at least one doctoral-level clinical psychologist.

We are a multifaceted private practice with providers who have received additional specialized training in areas such as: trauma-informed care (including EMDR), depth-oriented (psychodynamic) psychotherapy, borderline personality disorder (BPD), anxiety/OCD, depression, ADHD and treatment of severe and/or complex presentations. We also work well with clients who don’t have more serious or persistent diagnoses but are wanting to improve their relationships, explore old patterns that might be keeping them stuck, or get more out of life. Because we are not a “comprehensive DBT program” (we do not provide phone coaching), we are able to operate with a highly integrative care model; group participants are welcome to maintain their relationship with an outside individual therapist while completing our group curriculum.

It is completely normal to feel some hesitation before joining a therapy group. Our clinicians will take their time during your intake session making space for any concerns that you might have about joining a DBT group. During your intake call (prior to scheduling your intake session) our intake coordinator is also happy to answer any questions and/or hear your concerns about joining a group (that’s what she’s there for!).

Additionally, we take your confidentiality and absolute privacy very seriously; confidentiality and a culture of mutual respect are foundational to our DBT groups. Each new member commits to abiding by these rules to create a group culture where you can safely share your experiences, practice the skills and receive thoughtful feedback.

FAQs

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach focused on teaching highly practical life skills. It is built on the concept of “dialectics”—the ability to hold two seemingly opposite truths at the same time. In our groups, this means we accept you exactly as you are today, while simultaneously giving you the tools to make the meaningful changes you want for your future.

Who benefits most from DBT groups?

While initially developed for and widely considered the premier intervention for borderline personality disorder (BPD), it is also highly effective for individuals managing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, impulsivity, relationship problems, anger issues, eating disorders and ADHD. Ultimately, it is designed for anyone (from professionals managing high-stress environments to parents looking for support or individuals navigating life changes) who requires structured tools to improve emotion regulation and reduce reactivity. We welcome a variety of individuals to our groups and find that the clients who benefit the most show up regularly ready to engage with the material and wanting to learn/grow.

Is group DBT therapy effective?

Highly. Decades of research show that DBT is incredibly effective for teaching emotional regulation. Because it accelerates learning through peer support, shared experiences, and real-time practice, the group format is the clinical gold standard for mastering these skills. Most clients achieve the best outcomes by completing the full 45-week curriculum, with some choosing to repeat modules to solidify and deepen their mastery of the skills as well as their cognitive, behavioral and interpersonal changes.

Will I have to share personal information with the group?

You maintain complete control over your level of personal disclosure. Because this is a structured skills-training environment rather than a traditional “process” group, the clinical focus is on learning and applying new tools, not processing historical trauma. While active participation is encouraged for optimal learning and group cohesion, there will never be pressure to share about anything personal that is beyond your comfort zone

How large are the groups?

When choosing a DBT group/program, group size is very important. Many DBT practices facilitate groups that allow 10 to 15 members. We intentionally keep our groups small, capping them at a maximum of 8 participants. This ensures that you will get the individual attention/feedback that you deserve; it also fosters more connection between the members.

How frequently do the groups meet?

Our DBT groups meet once a week for 90 minutes. We find this steady rhythm gives us enough time to dive deeply into new concepts together each week while giving you adequate time to apply each skill to daily life. We do maintain a consistent schedule year-round, with occasional planned breaks to observe major holidays.

Our Providers/Group Leaders

Every Denver DBT group is led by at least one of our doctoral-level clinicians. Our team pairs their advanced clinical expertise with evidence-based instruction to create a secure, universally welcoming environment where you can acquire the skills for sustainable, positive change.

Acquire the Tools for Balance, Stability, and Regulation

Contact our team to learn how our DBT groups can equip you with the evidence-based tools necessary to manage stressful situations, reduce emotional reactivity, and find greater ease in your life.

Denver DBT and Psychotherapy