DBT

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Skills Training

for Queer folx

ONLINE or IN PERSON

Do you identify as LGBTQ+? Do you feel you are struggling with your thoughts, feelings, and emotions?

Let’s be real: most of us weren’t taught in school how to handle life’s stress without falling into a shame spiral. Instead, we often pick up questionable coping skills from friends, family, or the endless loop of social media memes—skills that usually leave us more confused and overwhelmed. Even when we do have the tools, it’s not always easy to use them in a world that can be downright exhausting.

Here’s where I come in—taught by an #elderqueer in the making (I’m a millennial, after all), I invite you to join a supportive group setting. You’ll share your experiences, get real talk and constructive feedback, and practice new ways of coping. Let’s do this together.

Watch the video below to learn more!

DBT can be effective in helping:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Dissociation

  • Intense anger and reactivity

  • Avoidance behavior

  • Interpersonal conflict

  • PTSD

  • Avoidance behaviors

  • Impulsivity

  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

  • Self-harm

  • Fear of abandonment

Logistics

Meeting setting

ONLINE, via SimplePractice

-or-

IN PERSON, at

7201 Metro Blvd. Suite 550 Edina, MN, 55439


This group is a closed group in which all members begin the group at the same time. if you want to join in the midst of the 12-week cycle, you will have to wait until the next 12-week cycle to begin.

ONLINE Co-hort Member capacity: 4-8

IN PERSON Co-hort Member capacity: 3-8

Cycle Schedule

Registration is CLOSED for SPRING 2025

Check back in June for Fall 2025 Dates and Times.

Payment & Insurance

For information, please refer to info on this web page: https://www.kwscw.org/services

Out of Pocket & Sliding Fee Scale option

If you don't have insurance, don’t have a Group Therapy benefit, or are unable to pay the full Group Therapy fee, you may pay on a sliding fee scale:

Option 1: $65 per session or $780 for 12 weeks

Option 2: $55 per session or $660 for 12 weeks

Option 3: $45 per session or $540 for 12 weeks

Meeting day/time

ONLINE Co-Hort

Thursdays 5:00-6:30pm

-or-

IN PERSON Co-Hort

Saturdays 10-11:30am

Pre-Requisites

To get the most out of the skills training experience, the following required pre-requisite criteria must be met:

  • You are a Minnesota -OR- Wisconsin resident.

  • You are 18 years old or older

  • You must be an active client with an individual therapist

    • A signed Authorization to Release/Exchange Information Form (ROI) with your therapist and KWS Consulting & Wellness must be completed in order to ensure continuity of care and clear collaboration.

    • Your individual therapist does NOT need to be certified in DBT

  • Group Intake Session(s) with the group facilitator must be completed prior to coming to the first session of group. 

  • Consent to utilize the content outlined by the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy model and the use of elements from Somatic Experiencing.

  • Agreement to utilize the following model of treatment:

    • DBT Skills Training Group (this group)

    • Use of a diary card, training handbook, and other supplementary materials (videos, text, etc.)

    • Individual Therapy

    • Consent for primary therapist(s) and the group therapist to consult

    • Optional DBT Skills Support by Telephone or Email

NOTE: This is a NON-ADHERENT DBT Program.

To learn more about DBT adherence: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/building-a-life-worth-living/202312/not-all-dbt-is-created-equal

SAMPLE

Syllabus

Each cycle, the curriculum is tailored to the needs of each person in the group using the research-backed tools created by Marsha Linehan and other DBT therapists, as well as resources that bolster the effectiveness of skills.

All materials are provided in digital copy. No extra costs are associated with materials.

  • Topic: Mindfulness

    Intro to Mindfulness

    What it is and isn’t - Myths About Mindfulness

    Dialectics: Introduction

    Dialectical Principles

    Skills

    Focus on a Nonjudgmental Stance

    SIBAM

    Grounding Yourself - Mindfulness as Distress Tolerance

  • Topic: Distress Tolerance

    Intro to Distress Tolerance

    Review Biosocial Theory

    Review Window of Tolerance

    Know Your Vulnerability Factors

    Safety Planning

    Skills

    Everyday Acceptance

    Radical Acceptance

    ACCEPTS

  • Emotion Regulation

    Introduction to Emotion Regulation

    The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) - The Autonomic Ladder

    Balancing our Minds

    Model of Emotions

    Skills

    Chain Analysis, Step by Step

    Missing-Links Analysis

    PLEASED

  • Topic: Interpersonal Effectiveness

    Introduction to Interpersonal Effectiveness

    Walking the Middle Path: Find the Synthesis of between opposites

    Myths in the Way of Interpersonal Effectiveness

    DEAR MAN Bill of Rights

    Skills

    Grounding into My Values

    DEAR MAN

    VALIDATION

    Identifying What Validation is NOT

SAMPLE

Session Agenda

Each 90-minute session will have a structure to introduce and discuss the application of a skill, as well as reflect and practice each skill.

Week 4

  • Check in

  • Mindfulness Practice

  • Reflection on use of Emotion Regulation practice from previous week

  • Intro to Interpersonal Effectiveness

  • BREAK

  • Myths in the Way

  • DEAR MAN Bill of Rights

  • Skills

    • Values

    • DEAR MAN

    • VALIDATION

  • Small group practice

  • Check out

Sign up to join.

Taking steps towards sustainable change starts from within.

A free consult is required.

Not sure this is an appropriate type of care for your needs?

Read more about different levels of care HERE