Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT) Group Skills Training

Group skills training is an essential part of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) curriculum.

DBT helps individuals develop an awareness of their emotions and respond effectively, learn concrete coping strategies to deal with difficulties, decrease problematic behaviors, communicate clearly, and create positive relationships that foster healthy self-esteem.

Southlake is now offering DBT groups for both children (ages 11-18) and their parents and young adults (18+) to teach techniques on how to better regulate emotions and improve relationships with others.

We Currently Offer:

These groups are intended for young adolescents experiencing difficulty regulating emotions, tolerating distress, navigating interpersonal conflict, and mindfully engaging in life as well as impulsive and self-destructive behaviors. At least one caregiver is required to participate weekly with adolescents in a skills training class for the first 6 months.

Weekly skills training sessions for individuals and caregivers provided concurrently in separate meetings; manual available upon request for an additional fee; access to 24/7 skills coaching line for caregivers and adolescents

VIRTUAL

  • Middle School Adolescent/Parent DBT Skills Training
    • Who: For adolescents in 6th-8th grade and their parents
    • When: 8-Week Modules held weekly on Wednesdays from 5:15-6:45 pm
    • Facilitators:
      • Julie Suddeth (MA, LCMHC)
      • Caila Carter (MA, LCMHC-A)
      • Leona M. McLean (M.Ed.)
      • Cahner Manns (MA, MSW, LCSW-A)
  • High School Adolescent/Parent DBT Skills Training
    • Who: For adolescents in 9th-12th grade and their parents
    • When: 8-week modules held weekly on Mondays or Thursdays from 5:15-6:45 pm
    • Facilitators:
      • Monday
        • Sheena Beach (MSW,LCSW,LISW-CP)
        • JoJo Skinner-Hoffman (MA, LCAS-A, LMFT-A)
        • Analiz Laracuente-Cruz
      • Thursday
        • Leona McLean(M.Ed., B.A.)
        • JoJo Skinner-Hoffman (MA, LCAS-A, LMFT-A)
        • Roshawnda Wooten-White (LCSWA)
        • Ashley Turbeville (Counseling Intern)

IN-PERSON

  • Adolescent/ Parent DBT Skills Training – OPEN ENROLLMENT!
    • Who: For adolescents and their parents
    • Where: Southlake Counseling Concord: 7752 Gateway Ln., Suite 200, Concord, NC 28027
    • When: Tuesdays from 5:15-6:45pm
    • Facilitators:
      • JoJo Skinner-Hoffman (MA, LCAS-A, LMFT-A)
      • Cahner Manns (MSW, LCSW-A)
      • Timothy Spitzoff (MA, LCMHC-A, LCAS-A)
      • Da-Nay Macklin

These groups are intended for individuals 18 years & up experiencing difficulty regulating emotions, tolerating distress, navigating interpersonal conflict, and mindfully engaging in life as well as impulsive and self-destructive behaviors.

Weekly skills training sessions for individuals; manual available upon request for an additional fee; access to 24/7 skills coaching line

VIRTUAL

  • Monday Adult DBT Skills Training
    • When: 8-week modules held weekly on Mondays from 10:30am-12pm
    • Facilitators:
      • Apiffany Gaither (MS, LCMHC)
      • Kayla Kaesmeyer (MA, LCMHCA)
  • Tuesday Adult DBT Skills Training
    • When: 8-week modules held weekly on Tuesdays from 6-7:30pm
    • Facilitators:
      • Ashlan Vincent (MA, LCMHC-A)
      • Kim Welliver (MA, LCMHC)
  • Thursday Adult DBT Skills Training
    • When: 8-week modules held weekly on Thursdays from 6-7:30pm
    • Facilitators:
      • Lalanea Chastain (MPA, MSW, LCSWA)
      • Timothy Spitzhoff (LCMHCA, LCASA, NCC)

IN-PERSON

  • Wednesday Adult DBT Skills Training

    • When: 8-week modules held weekly on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 pm

    • Where: Southlake Counseling- Concord 7752 Gateway Ln NW # 200, Concord, NC 28027

    • Facilitators:
      • Jojo Hoffman Skinner (MA, LMFTA, LCASA)
      • Abby Brown (MA, LCMHCA)

RO-DBT is tailored for clients who need an irrational or excessive amount of control. RO-DBT focuses on receptivity and openness, flexible control to adapt to changing environmental conditions, and intimacy and social-connectedness to form close, lasting bonds.
This therapy is most beneficial for clients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Paranoia, Chronic Depression and Anxiety, and other areas where they need to learn to let go and be open to change.

If the client is experiencing difficulty expressing emotions, hyper-detailed or rule-governed behavior, distant style of relating, and high social comparison, they may benefit from an RO-DBT skills training course. At least one caregiver is required to participate weekly with adolescents in a skills training class.

IN-PERSON

  • Adolescent & Parent/Adult RO-DBT Skills Class 
    • Who: The adolescent class is intended for adolescents ages 14-18. The parent/adult class is intended for caregivers of adolescents in the adolescent class as well as adults 18+ who identify as overcontrol.
    • When: 10-week-long modules for a total of 30 weeks. Class is held weekly on Thursdays from 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm 
    • Where: Southlake Counseling- Huntersville

      16405 Northcross Dr., Huntersville, NC 28078

    • Facilitators:
      • Apiffany Gaither (MS, LCMHC)
      • Abby Brown (MA, LCMHC-A)
      • Ashley Turbeville (LCMHC-A)
      • Nimisha Merchant (LCMHC-A)

Next module begins January 11, 2024

group counseling sessions
group therapy work

How does it work?

Interested participants are required to attend weekly individual counseling sessions while enrolled in skills training, either at Southlake or through an outside provider. An initial intake and a minimum of two pretreatment sessions are required to participate in any DBT skills training group.

Once in a DBT Skills Training group, participants will begin to discuss and practice the following topics:

  • Distress Tolerance
  • Emotion Regulation
  • Mindfulness
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness
  • Middle Path Module

Groups will meet weekly for discussion and will be assigned homework after each session to practice newly-learned skills.