During my internship at CPC, I was fortunate enough to observe weekly group sessions on Dialectical Behavioral Skills (DBT). This was a group that was focused on teaching individuals way to handle different situations in their lives to build a successful lifestyle. The skills that were taught in DBT helped the individual regulate their emotions in order to appropriately respond in any given situation. I got to learn the way that the therapists would listen and use their knowledge to help others find the right course of approach to benefit a situation in their life. 

      Group session started off with everyone grounding their feet on the floor and listening as the therapist would ring the mediation singing bowl. The clients would all have to listen to the ring and observe what thoughts they were experiencing and report when the bell stopped. Part of observing DBT group meant that I would be participating as well. I would shut my eyes and focus on being in the present moment which I realized is actually a lot harder than someone might think. There might be distractions in the room or in someone's life that can cloud the thought process. I realized that the clients have to use a lot of concentration and power to clear their mind of any loose thoughts and really focus on how they are feeling. This taught me how much one simple idea can effect someone's life. After the mediation bowl the clients would report how they felt and where their thoughts were to talk out any difficulties they might have had while concentrating. The therapist then passed around a note card which contained 3 questions that each person would answer to start a conversation on how they were feeling, any distractions in their life, and ways that they were skillful in handling any problems. I loved the way that each person was so open and supportive of each other which created a positive environment for getting treatment. I believe that the environment that someone is in can have a huge impact on creating a safe and comfortable for space for people to heal. The members would comfort each other and offer advice that they have learned while being a consistent member of group therapy to redirect each others approach and view on the topic at hand. I got to learn how the counselors were just as important as the members because everyone would listen and offer advice when needed making it easy to share and learn. Every person in session would learn new techniques towards mindfulness and would create a goal for them to work on each week that would help better themselves. One of the most important steps in getting help is showing up and seeing each person show up every single week showed that they were committed to changing their lives around. It taught me just how important having a place to talk things out each week made a difference in their lives. 

      The big part of DBT skills group was focusing on the interpersonal skill worksheets each week that would teach a new skill for each person to use in their daily life whether at work, with family, friends, or in the community. The worksheets focused on teaching interpersonal skills such as FAST, GIVE, TIP, and mindfulness behavior. The lessons that were taught in DBT were always very insightful and focused on emotion regulation by paying attention to how not only you are feeling but how someone else is feeling. It also focused on mindfulness by teaching to look for colors of the rainbow when having a panic attack or to focus on where your feet are rather than your head. The group meant so much to everyone that was coming by learning new ways to tackle life with a positive attitude. I created a take home sheet of everything that was learned to be a guide on staying positive and remaining calm. Feel free to take a look and enjoy the tips!

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