What Are the Four Components of TF-DBT?

Welcome to the third video in this module. In the previous video, we discussed the need for skills work in order to stabilize clients. In this video, we will learn about the four components of a DBT skills training program which are group sessions, individual sessions, between session support and the consultation team. So, let’s get started. Okay.

So as you may recall from one of the previous videos, One of the assumptions of DBT is that skills need to be learned from as many different perspectives and as many different contexts as possible. And that’s precisely why DBT has four major treatment components, which are group sessions, individual sessions, between-session support, and the consultation team. Once again, the whole idea behind that is for clients and, as we’ll see, also clinicians, to learn skills in as, in as many different settings and from as many different angles as possible, because each of these components has its own distinct purpose.

Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT skills training handouts and worksheets (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.,Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT skills training manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

So For example, the main purpose of a trauma-focused DBT group is psychoeducation, right? The whole point of a group is to teach. It’s all about skills work and learning. So, one of the goals of a group is to provide psychoeducation regarding trauma and the effects of trauma. And another major goal of a TF-DBT group is to teach specific self-regulation skills. So What skills am I referring to? Well, of course, you already know, mindfulness, and distress tolerance, and emotion regulation, and dialectical thinking, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT skills training manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.,Reutter, K., & DePasquale, D. (2019). The dialectical behavior therapy skills workbook for PTSD: Practical exercises for overcoming trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (1st ed.). New Harbinger Publications.