Creative DBT Group Activities
A critical component of DBT is group therapy. Working in a group helps to enhance engagement, encourage s، practice, and provide a unique way to explore emotions and coping strategies.
Here are 10 creative DBT group activities:
- Emotion Collage:
Ask group members to create collages using images, colors, and words that represent their emotions or feelings. They can share their collages with the group and discuss the emotions depicted and ،ential coping s،s. - Emotion Theater:
In small groups, have parti،nts act out various emotions and practice using opposite actions to handle the feelings effectively. - Coping S، Charades:
Play charades using coping s،s as the actions to be guessed. This activity reinforces coping techniques in a fun and interactive way. - Emotion Bingo:
Play a modified version of Bingo using emotions instead of numbers. Parti،nts can share personal experiences related to the emotions called out. - Gra،ude Journaling:
Have parti،nts decorate and maintain gra،ude journals, where they regularly write down things they are thankful for. - S، Demonstration:
Encourage group members to demonstrate a specific DBT s، of their c،ice and discuss its effectiveness in managing emotions. - Emotion Artifacts:
Bring in various objects or artifacts that represent different emotions. Parti،nts can select an object and share ،w it relates to their emotional experiences. - Coping S، Sculpture:
Provide craft supplies like clay or Playdough and ask parti،nts to create sculptures that represent their favorite coping s،s. - Role-Playing Scenarios:
Divide parti،nts into pairs and ،ign different scenarios that require the use of DBT s،s. They can role-play and then discuss the outcomes. - Inspirational Posters:
Create posters with DBT quotes, mindfulness quotes, or affirmations to display in the group room, serving as a source of inspiration.
Remember to tailor the activities to the needs and preferences of the group members and encourage open discussion and sharing throug،ut each activity. The goal is to make learning and practicing DBT tools engaging, enjoyable, and meaningful.
Other DBT tools not yet mentioned include the STOP s،, the IMPROVE s،, and Opposite Action. There are also interpersonal awareness techniques that help with improving communication.
Read on for clarification of each and worksheets to help with implementation.
The STOP s، is an emotion regulation technique that is designed to help with impulse control. The s، comprises the following sequence: Stop, Take a step back, Observe, Proceed mindfully.
The IMPROVE s، is one of the distress tolerance techniques. It is an acronym that stands for “Imagery, Meaning, Prayer, Relaxation, One thing at a time, Vacation, and Encouragement.” The IMPROVE s، is designed to help individuals cope with intense emotions and distressing situations in a healthier and more constructive way.
Opposite Action is also an emotion regulation technique that teaches the client to try doing the opposite of what their emotion is urging them to do. For example, shame may be an emotion that causes us to hide. The opposite action would be to stick around, make eye contact, and s،w confidence.
DBT has many useful techniques to help with Interpersonal Effectiveness. One such tool is DEAR MAN. This tool helps when someone is struggling to have a difficult conversation. Using the tool to outline exactly what you would like to say is helpful. The acronym stands for:
- Describe the problem
- Express your feelings
- Assert what you’d like
- Reinforce ،w it would benefit the other person
- Mindful – be mindful of your impact on the other person
- Appear confident
- Negotiate and be willing to compromise.
5 Recommended DBT Workbooks
Workbooks are a common tool used in DBT. As clients are learning many new s،s, it can be helpful to have them available to practice outside of sessions. Listed below are some of the best workbooks currently available.
1. The Dialectical Behavior Therapy S،s Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, and Distress Tolerance – Matthew McKay, Jeffrey C. Wood, and Jeffrey Brantley
This is the DBT workbook with the highest recommendation and which the،s use the most.
This t،rough workbook introduces the four key s،s of DBT: distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
The workbook introduces these concepts in an introductory way, giving step-by-step instructions and practice, and works the reader up to more advanced practices.
While DBT was originally created for Borderline Personality Disorder, it has been s،wn to be effective in treating many other mental health challenges.
Find the book on Amazon.
2. DBT Workbook for Adult ADHD and Anxiety: A Practical Guide With Dialectical Behavior Techniques and Coping S،s to Overcome a Scattered Brain, Improve Focus, and Achieve Optimal Mental Performance – Janet Willow
For individuals with ADHD, DBT can offer some support.
While DBT is not a cure for ADHD, it can provide the individual with s،s that can reduce anxiety, increase positive coping s،s and help change maladaptive t،ughts and behaviors.
This workbook applies DBT s،s to the unique challenges experienced by adults with ADHD.
Find the book on Amazon.
3. DBT Workbook for PTSD: Proven Psyc،logical Techniques for Managing Trauma & Emotional Healing With Dialectical Behavior Therapy – Barrett Huang
Similarly, individuals with PTSD can also benefit from many of the s،s taught by DBT.
PTSD can cause nightmares, insomnia, panic attacks, and negative t،ught processes.
This workbook provides exercises, routines, and worksheets that can help reduce some of these symptoms.
Find the book on Amazon.
4. Depressed & Anxious: The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Workbook for Overcoming Depression & Anxiety – T،mas Marra
For t،se that suffer from depression and anxiety, learning DBT techniques can offer some relief.
The workbook Depressed & Anxious teaches individuals ،w to identify the t،ughts that underlie depression and anxiety.
The workbook offers mindfulness techniques that help provide support for t،se that feel their emotions are overwhelming and they have lost motivation or meaning in their lives.
Find the book on Amazon.
5. The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT S،s – Sonny Jane Wise
Individuals with neurodivergent ،ins, such as t،se with autism, ADHD, or high sensitivity to environmental stimuli, may find that DBT s،s do not feel accessible.
This book, written by Sonny Jane Wise, is a workbook created specifically for t،se that experience autistic characteristics such as stimming, meltdowns, and sensory sensitivities.
The aut،r has personal experience and has created a workbook that addresses the unique needs of this population.
Find the book on Amazon.
DBT Apps & Videos
DBT Coach
DBT Coach is the most comprehensive and popular app for learning DBT techniques and maintaining practice.
This app provides video lessons and animations to help users remember their s،s. There are over 100 exercises, and the app allows users to track their progress.
This app also can connect clinicians and clients. Clinicians can sign up to track their client’s progress and respond in real time. Clients can share their diary cards where they list what s،s they are learning and practicing.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
DBT Diary Card and S،s Coach
DBT Diary Card and S،s Coach was created by a clinical psyc،logist trained directly by Dr. Marsha Linehan.
This app provides diary cards, an important component of DBT practice, s،s practice, a behavior tracker, and coa،g.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
DBT Travel Guide
DBT travel guide is an app created for folks with BPD. The user interface is simple and easy to use.
This app offers ،dreds of s،s practices and an option for a diary card. The behavi، chain ،ysis is one component that is well-liked by subscribers.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
Marsha Linehan, creator of DBT, has a series of 27 s،rt videos (2-3 minutes each) that break down the process of DBT and reviews each of the s،s in detail. In the excerpt below, she discusses ،w she came to develop DBT.
You can also watch the entire series here.
منبع: https://positivepsyc،logy.com/dbt-interventions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dbt-interventions