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Something’s not right

sarvan
Contributor

DBT

I just need to know. 

I struggle with emotional regulation and trust issues. I joined a DBT group and it was a disaster.

It was online and difficult to engage with. 

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?

Can I please ask about other people's experiences with DBT?

 

28 REPLIES 28
Eden1919
Senior Contributor

Re: DBT

@sarvan  Hi I have done DBT it was helpful for some things, I think you have to be in the right head space and the right place emotionally to give it the best chance to work. I am not really sure I understand why you were told you weren’t suited for DBT and that is ok as long as you understand why it is your business, but if you don’t maybe talking to the facilitators might be a good place to start. DBT is the sort of gold standard as I understand for the treatment of BPD and such so perhaps if possible you could try joining another group although if I were you I would find out what it was that didn’t work in this group first to make sure I avoided it if I did find another group to try. Sorry I can’t be of much help. 

Re: DBT

hey @sarvan i havent done dbt myself but @Snowie @Sans911 @BlueBay @Zoe7 i think has and might be able to share their experiences with you
Zoe7
Community Guide

Re: DBT

I have done 2 rounds of DBT @sarvan and it is something you need to be focussed and ready for. I was very reluctant to do it because I did not think I would cope - especially being in a room of strangers when I was not feeling safe within myself. It is not an easy course to take and you do need to be really focussed on not only the theory but also being able to put it into practice after each session.

 

Can I ask if you had a counselling session straight after the DBT session? From what I understand and from personal experience the optimal benefit comes from doing a session then talking with a counsellor/psych/pdoc afterwards. I had sessions with my pdoc directly after and it was in those sessions that I was able to discuss not only what we dealt with in the DBT session but any difficulties I had.

 

We also had one member who left the group as she was much the same as you - constantly triggered, crying and unable to take anything in. It was really uncomfortable for the rest of the group and the facilitator made that decision for both her and the remainder of the group. I very much hear where you are coming from but also know that sometimes we are not ready for the type of therapy we are undertaking - I myself was constantly re-traumatised by exposure therapy and then EMDR so it was for my benefit to stop. I am much better without them and have been able to move forward by concentrating on the things more present in order to cope.

 

One of the things about any form of therapy is we have to be able to cope with what we are engaged in so I would say do not give up on DBT (it certainly helped me) but instead work with your counsellor on how you can manage it and your emotions to get the most out of it in the future.

Re: DBT

Thanks for replying @Zoe7 . Just for the record - there were no tears here from my end and I am very proficient at taking things in. I have been around for a long time. 

Former-Member
Not applicable

Re: DBT

Hi @sarvan 

how are you? 
I did a year of weekly DBT, 1 day group therapy (face-to-face, run by 2 psychologists, closed group capped at 8), 1 session with DBT psychologist, and once a month psychiatrist. I learnt lots, but it was really tough. I personally would not have coped without having face to face groups and sessions, without having direct follow ups after a difficult day, because it was very triggering and yes, it was very difficult to engage. But for me personally DBT works better than other types of therapy. 
Let me know if you have other questions. You're definitely not alone.

Re: DBT

Thanks @Former-Member. I appreciate your comments. I was left feeling a bit devo after some of the other comments above. 

 

Maybe it was the structure of what I was doing - online for 1 and half hours a week with phone support and a weekly session. I found it really tough to engage and trust with this online system. Its a bit hard to work in a group when you cant see all group members. I just wondered if this was REAL DBT or if it was a bit of an adhock attempt at DBT. 

 May I ask if you self-funded this?

Re: DBT

Thanks @Eden1919 . I dont really understand the Why. I get groups can be tough and you need to be prepared. I was in for the long haul. This is what has left me raw. Thanks for replying. 

Eden1919
Senior Contributor

Re: DBT

@sarvan  If the group was online I can understand why it was hard to engage with maybe searching for a face to face group with more structured support might be better for you? I think maybe this group just wasn’t suited to you and that is ok everyone works differently. I wouldn’t give up on DBT yet though. 

Re: DBT

ok. Thanks @Eden1919 . That's what I wanted to know. I was under the impression DBT was more intense for support than an hour and half online

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