Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program
Through a combination of individual counseling and skills training classes, Veterans can learn new ways to tolerate extreme emotions, behave in a less self-destructive manner, and interact more effectively with the world.
DBT Components
Individual Therapy: One hour of individual therapy for at least 6 months. Individual therapy helps work on behaviors which threaten one’s life, one’s success in treatment and one’s ability to enjoy life.
Skills Training Classes: Learn and practice new skills in a 1.5 hour skills class each week for at least 6 months. Skills classes teach the following modules: Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Mindfulness.
Telephone Consultation: Individual therapists are available between therapy sessions for telephone coaching. These are phone calls with the individual therapist which help apply skills in real-life situations while they are happening.
Intensive Group Track: Some participants may be recommended to attend a group-only track within our program which meets Thursday mornings for a two and a half hour small group during which the above skills are taught and closely examined to meet each individual's needs.
How can I Participate in the DBT Program?
Veterans who are interested in being referred to DBT can speak to their Mental Health Treatment Coordinator and request a consult be placed. Veterans need to be assigned to a mental health treatment provider prior to referral to DBT. Once consulted the DBT team will reach out to the Veteran and schedule a screening appointment to ensure DBT is a good program for their needs.
Contact
Julie Skutch, PhD
Phone:
Homework
For Veterans who are currently participating in the DBT Program.
Tuesday Groups - December 2025 to February 2026
Emotion Regulation Homework
Dec. 2
Lesson: Mindfulness “What” Skills (Handouts 4-4C, p.53-59)
Homework: Worksheet 4-4C (p. 84-87) - DUE Dec 9
Dec. 9
Lesson: Mindfulness “How” Skills (Handout 5-5C, p. 60-63)
Homework: Worksheet 5-5C (p. 88-93) - DUE Dec 16
Dec. 16
Lesson: Wise Mind (Handouts 3-3A, p. 50-52)
Homework: Worksheet 3 (p. 83) - DUE Dec 23
Dec. 23
Lesson: Chain Analysis (General Handouts 6-7A, p. 19-22)
Homework: Worksheet 2 (p. 31-34) – DUE Dec 30
Dec. 30
Lesson: TBD
Homework: TBD – DUE Jan 6
Jan. 6
Lesson: Overview/Goals/Function of Emotion/Myths (Handouts 1-4, p. 209-212)
Homework: Worksheet 2 (p. 275) - DUE Jan 13
Jan. 13
Lesson: Model for Describing Emotions (Handout 5, p. 213)
Homework: Worksheet 4 or 4A (p. 281 or 282) – DUE Jan 20
Jan. 20
Lesson: Ways to Describe Emotions (Handout 6, p. 214-223)
Homework: Worksheet 4 or 4A (p. 281 or 282) – DUE Jan 27
Jan. 27
Lesson: Overview, Check the Facts (Handout 7-8A, p. 227-229)
Homework: Worksheet 5 (p. 285-286) – DUE Feb 3
Feb. 3
Lesson: Opposite Action (Handouts 9-11, p. 230-240)
Homework: Worksheet 7 (p. 288) – DUE Feb 10
Feb. 10
Lesson: Problem Solving (Handouts 12-13, p. 241-244)
Homework: Worksheet 8 (p. 289-290) – DUE Feb 17
Feb. 17
Lesson: Overview, Short-Term and Long-Term Positives (Handouts 14-18, p. 247-255)
Homework: Worksheets 10-11B (p. 295-300) – DUE Feb 24
Feb. 24
Lesson: Remaining ABC PLEASE (Handouts 19-20, p. 256-257)
Homework: Worksheet 13 or 14 (p. 302 or 303) – DUE March 2
Wednesday Groups - December 2025 to February 2026
Emotion Regulation Homework
Dec. 3
Lesson: Mindfulness “What” Skills (Handouts 4-4C, p.53-59)
Homework: Worksheet 4-4C (p. 84-87) - DUE Dec 10
Dec. 10
Lesson: Mindfulness “How” Skills (Handout 5-5C, p. 60-63)
Homework: Worksheet 5-5C (p. 88-93) - DUE Dec 17
Dec. 17
Lesson: Wise Mind (Handouts 3-3A, p. 50-52)
Homework: Worksheet 3 (p. 83) – DUE Dec 24
Dec. 24
Lesson: Chain Analysis (General Handouts 6-7A, p. 19-22)
Homework: Worksheet 2 (p. 31-34) – DUE Dec 31
Dec. 31
Lesson: TBD
Homework: TBD - DUE Jan 7
Jan. 7
Lesson: Overview/Goals/Function of Emotion/Myths (Handouts 1-4, p. 209-212)
Homework: Worksheet 2 (p. 275) - DUE Jan 14
Jan. 14
Lesson: Model for Describing Emotions (Handout 5, p. 213)
Homework: Worksheet 4 or 4A (p. 281 or 282) – DUE Jan 21
Jan. 21
Lesson: Ways to Describe Emotions (Handout 6, p. 214-223)
Homework: Worksheet 4 or 4A (p. 281 or 282) – DUE Jan 28
Jan.28
Lesson: Overview, Check the Facts (Handout 7-8A, p. 227-229)
Homework: Worksheet 5 (p. 285-286) – DUE Feb 4
Feb. 4
Lesson: Opposite Action (Handouts 9-11, p. 230-240)
Homework: Worksheet 7 (p. 288) – DUE Feb 11
Feb. 11
Lesson: Problem Solving (Handouts 12-13, p. 241-244)
Homework: Worksheet 8 (p. 289-290) – DUE Feb 18
Feb. 18
Lesson: Overview, Short-Term and Long-Term Positives (Handouts 14-18, p. 247-255)
Homework: Worksheets 10-11B (p. 295-300) – DUE Feb 25
Feb. 25
Lesson: Remaining ABC PLEASE (Handouts 19-20, p. 256-257)
Homework: Worksheet 13 or 14 (p. 302 or 303) – DUE March 3
Thursday Groups - December 2025 to February 2026
Emotion Regulation Homework
Dec. 4
Lesson: Mindfulness “What” Skills (Handouts 4-4C, p.53-59)
Homework: Worksheet 4-4C (p. 84-87) - DUE Dec 11
Dec. 11
Lesson: Mindfulness “How” Skills (Handout 5-5C, p. 60-63)
Homework: Worksheet 5-5C (p. 88-93) - DUE Dec 18
Dec. 18
Lesson: Wise Mind (Handouts 3-3A, p. 50-52)
Homework: Worksheet 3 (p. 83) - DUE Jan 8 or in Tues or Wed group if you attend during the week of Dec 22.
Dec. 25
No group on Thurs Dec 25 – Group members have the option to attend group on Tues Dec 23 (2:30-4:00pm) or Wed Dec 24 (11:00am-12:30pm)
Lesson: Chain Analysis (General Handouts 6-7A, p. 19-22)
Homework: Worksheet 2 (p. 31-34) – DUE in Tues or Wed group if you attend during the week of Dec 29
Jan. 1
No group on Thurs Jan 1 – Group members have the option to attend group on Tues Dec 30 (2:30-4:00pm) or Wed Dec 31 (11:00am-12:30pm)
Lesson: TBD
Homework: TBD
Jan. 8
Lesson: Overview/Goals/Function of Emotion/Myths (Handouts 1-4, p. 209-212)
Homework: Worksheet 2 (p. 275) - DUE Jan 15
Jan. 15
Lesson: Model for Describing Emotions (Handout 5, p. 213)
Homework: Worksheet 4 or 4A (p. 281 or 282) – DUE Jan 22
Jan. 22
Lesson: Ways to Describe Emotions (Handout 6, p. 214-223)
Homework: Worksheet 4 or 4A (p. 281 or 282) – DUE Jan 29
Jan. 29
Lesson: Overview, Check the Facts (Handout 7-8A, p. 227-229)
Homework: Worksheet 5 (p. 285-286) – DUE Feb 5
Feb. 5
Lesson: Opposite Action (Handouts 9-11, p. 230-240)
Homework: Worksheet 7 (p. 288) – DUE Feb 12
Feb. 12
Lesson: Problem Solving (Handouts 12-13, p. 241-244)
Homework: Worksheet 8 (p. 289-290) – DUE Feb 19
Feb. 19
Lesson: Overview, Short-Term and Long-Term Positives (Handouts 14-18, p. 247-255)
Homework: Worksheets 10-11B (p. 295-300) – DUE Feb 26
Feb. 26
Lesson: Remaining ABC PLEASE (Handouts 19-20, p. 256-257)
Homework: Worksheet 13 or 14 (p. 302 or 303) – DUE March 5