DBT Skills modules can be taught as an integrated part of individual therapy or in a separate educational skills group. Teaching clients new skills are at the core of long-term behaviour change, and the four categories of skills taught in DBT are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness is a skill that helps us to focus our attention and be present in the moment. It teaches how to become aware of what is happening within ourselves, and what is going on outside ourselves. Mindfulness also teaches how to observe reality as it is, become less judgemental towards ourselves and towards others and to live in the moment. It can also help to develop a sense of freedom, connection and increase a sense of contentment.

DISTRESS TOLERANCE

Distress tolerance is the ability to survive a crisis or difficult situation without making the situation worse. Distress tolerance skills will help clients learn to tolerate painful events, emotions, and urges, and reduce suffering.

EMOTION REGULATION

Emotion regulation skills help clients increase their ability to gain some control over intense emotions. Goals of emotion regulation skills are to understand and identify emotions, change unhelpful responses to emotions, reduce the intensity of painful emotions, and finally reduce vulnerability and increase resiliency.

INTERPERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Interpersonal effectiveness skills help to build,  improve, and maintain relationships, manage conflict, get our needs met, and strengthen our ability to say no. This set of skills also improves self-respect and our ability to relate to other peoples perspectives. Other areas that may also be explored are how to end destructive relationships, and how to balance changes in ourselves within the context of a relationship.