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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 - May to July 2025

Emotion Regulation Homework Schedule

May 13 

Lesson: Mindfulness  “What” Skills (Handouts 4-4C, p.53-59)  

Homework: Worksheet 4-4C (p.84-87) Due May 20 


May 20 

Lesson: Mindfulness “How” Skills (Handouts 5-5C, p.60-63)  

Homework: Worksheet 5-5C (p.88-93) Due May 27 


May 27  

Lesson: Emotion Regulation -Overview/Goals/Function of Emotion/Myths (Handout 1-4, p.209-212) 

Homework: Worksheet 2 (p.275) Due June 3


June 3

Lesson:  Model for describing emotions (Handout 5, p.213) 

Homework: Worksheet 4 or 4A (p.281 or 282) Due June 10


June 10

Lesson:  Overview, Check the Facts (Handout 7-8A, p.227-230)     

Homework: Worksheet 5 (p.285) Due June 17


June 17 

Lesson: Opposite Action (Handouts 9-11, p.230-240) 

Homework: Worksheet 7 (p. 288) Due: June 24 


June 24

Lesson: Problem solving Handouts 12-13 (p.241-244) 

Homework: Worksheet 8 (p.289) Due: July 1


July 1     

Lesson: Overview short term & long-term positives (Handouts 14-18, p.247-255) 

Homework: Worksheets 10-11B (p.295-300) Due: July 8 


July 8    

Lesson: Remaining ABC PLEASE (Handouts 19-20, p.256-257) 

Homework: Worksheet 13 or 14  (p.302 or 303) Due: July 15 


July 15   

Lesson: Nightmares and Sleep Hygiene (Handouts 20A and 20B) 

Homework: Worksheet 14a or 14b  Due: July 22 

Wednesday Groups - May to July 2025

Emotion Regulation Homework Schedule

May 13 

Lesson: Mindfulness  “What” Skills (Handouts 4-4C, p.53-59)  

Homework: Worksheet 4-4C (p.84-87) Due May 20 


May 20 

Lesson: Mindfulness “How” Skills (Handouts 5-5C, p.60-63)  

Homework: Worksheet 5-5C (p.88-93) Due May 27 


May 27  

Lesson: Emotion Regulation -Overview/Goals/Function of Emotion/Myths (Handout 1-4, p.209-212) 

Homework: Worksheet 2 (p.275) Due June 3


June 3

Lesson:  Model for describing emotions (Handout 5, p.213) 

Homework: Worksheet 4 or 4A (p.281 or 282) Due June 10


June 10

Lesson:  Overview, Check the Facts (Handout 7-8A, p.227-230)     

Homework: Worksheet 5 (p.285) Due June 17


June 17 

Lesson: Opposite Action (Handouts 9-11, p.230-240) 

Homework: Worksheet 7 (p. 288) Due: June 24 


June 24

Lesson: Problem solving Handouts 12-13 (p.241-244) 

Homework: Worksheet 8 (p.289) Due: July 1


July 1     

Lesson: Overview short term & long-term positives (Handouts 14-18, p.247-255) 

Homework: Worksheets 10-11B (p.295-300) Due: July 8 


July 8    

Lesson: Remaining ABC PLEASE (Handouts 19-20, p.256-257) 

Homework: Worksheet 13 or 14  (p.302 or 303) Due: July 15 


July 15   

Lesson: Nightmares and Sleep Hygiene (Handouts 20A and 20B) 

Homework: Worksheet 14a or 14b  Due: July 22 

Thursday Groups - May to July 2025

Emotion Regulation Homework Schedule

May 15  

Lesson: Mindfulness  “What” Skills (Handouts 4-4C, p.53-59)  

Homework: Worksheet 4-4C (p.84-87) Due May 22


May 22 

Lesson: Mindfulness “How” Skills (Handouts 5-5C, p.60-63)  

Homework: Worksheet 5-5C (p.88-93) Due May 29 


May 29  

Lesson: Emotion Regulation -Overview/Goals/Function of Emotion/Myths (Handout 1-4, p.209-212) 

Homework: Worksheet 2 (p.275) Due June 5


June 5

Lesson:  Model for describing emotions (Handout 5, p.213) 

 Homework: Worksheet 4 or 4A (p.281 or 282) Due June 12


June 12

Lesson:  Overview, Check the Facts (Handout 7-8A, p.227-230)     

Homework: Worksheet 5 (p.285) Due June 26


June 19                 Juneteenth Holiday (No Group) 


June 26 

Lesson: Opposite Action (Handouts 9-11, p.230-240) 

Homework: Worksheet 7 (p. 288) Due: July 3 


July 3

Lesson: Problem solving Handouts 12-13 (p.241-244) 

Homework: Worksheet 8 (p.289) Due: July 10


July 10   

Lesson: Overview short term & long-term positives (Handouts 14-18, p.247-255) 

Homework: Worksheets 10-11B (p.295-300) Due: July 17 


July 17   

Lesson: Remaining ABC PLEASE (Handouts 19-20, p.256-257) 

Homework: Worksheet 13 or 14  (p.302 or 303) Due: July 24