Time Commitment For Dbt Programs

[theshadowoftheliving]

Just wondering ... what is the time commitment for a DBT program? I'm looking at programs, but am overwhelmed at how to fit it into my life. How many hours a week are we looking at all told? (I know there are the groups and therapy appointments, but what about time spent outside of sessions on assignments, etc?)

I also see that most of them include mandatory phone contact - how much is expected? My schedule is crazy enough that I can imagine days on end when I would be unable to sneak away for a call during any reasonable hours, and the idea of asking for skills coaching on a situation that is three days old seems pointless.

 

[Joan]

I think each program differs from Intensive out patient to outpatient. The one I was involved with for a while was 2/3 hours in group and then an hour with a skills coach. Since the idea is that these skills become part of your life you are encouraged to practice them throughout the week, but they are incorporated into "life"....In the one I attended we had a checklist that you used daily just to record which skills you tried to use in the day. For me the time was well worth it. Have you contacted the program and your area and asked these questions? Best wishes as you seek information and help.

 

[Crow]

The program I went through for a year and only involved weekly 90 minute groups. Homework was daily practice. It got easy to incorporate them into my day with a little planning.

 

[super_saiyan]

Mine was a year long course, 2 hour skills group a week, 1 hour out of session group. Could get skills coaching anytime, but when necessary, it wasn't obligatory. Usually in a year rotation you can go over the content twice round and get a broader understanding.

 

[ShodokanJenn]

When I went through DBT I had a two hour group and then one hour with my therapist where we worked on the skills and current issues. The homework was mostly just incorporating the skills into daily life. Plus about 15 minutes a day to fill out my skills tracking sheet. So the time commitment wasn't bad at all.