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 Group - Distress Tolerance Homework Schedule (Sept. – Nov. 2026)
Sept 22
Lesson: Mindfulness: Wise Mind (Handouts 3-3A, p. 50-52)
Homework: Worksheet 3 (p. 83) - DUE Sept 29
Sept 29
Lesson: Mindfulness: Walking the Middle Path (Handout 10, p. 74)
Homework: Worksheet 10, 10A, or 10B – PICK ONE (p. 105, 106, or 107) - DUE Oct 6
Oct 6
Lesson: Goals, Overview, When to Use, STOP skill (Handouts 1-4, p. 321-327)
Homework: Worksheet 2 or 2A – PICK ONE (p. 372 or 373) -DUE Oct 13
Oct 13
Lesson: Pros/Cons (Handout 5, p. 328)
Homework: Worksheet 3 or 3A – PICK ONE (p. 374 or 375) – DUE Oct 20
Oct 20
Lesson: TIPP Your Body Chemistry (Handouts 6-6C, p. 329-332)
Homework: Worksheet 4 (p. 376) – DUE Oct 27
Oct 27
Lesson: ACCEPTS, Soothe, IMPROVE (Handouts 7-9A, p. 333-337)
Homework: Worksheets 5-7B – PICK ONE (p. 379-388) - DUE Nov 3
Nov 3
Lesson: Radical Acceptance/Turning the Mind (Handouts 10-12, p. 341-345)
Homework: Worksheet 9 or 9A – PICK ONE or both (p. 394 or 395) – DUE Nov 10
Nov 10
Lesson: Willingness/Half-Smile and Willing Hands (Handouts 13-14A, p. 346-349)
Homework: Worksheet 10, 11, or 11A – PICK ONE (p. 396, 397, or 398) – DUE Nov 17
Nov 17
Lesson: Mindfulness of Current Thoughts (Handouts 15-15A, p. 350-352)
Homework: Worksheet 12 (p. 399) – DUE Nov 24
Nov 24
Lesson: Burning Bridges and Building New Ones (Handout 20, p. 362)
Homework: Worksheet 17 (p. 409) - DUE Dec 1
Wednesday Group - Distress Tolerance Homework Schedule (Sept – Nov 2026)
Sept 23
Lesson: Mindfulness: Wise Mind (Handouts 3-3A, p. 50-52)
Homework: Worksheet 3 (p. 83) - DUE Sept 30
Sept 30
Lesson: Mindfulness: Walking the Middle Path (Handout 10, p. 74)
Homework: Worksheet 10, 10A, or 10B – PICK ONE (p. 105, 106, or 107) - DUE Oct 7
Oct 7
Lesson: Goals, Overview, When to Use, STOP skill (Handouts 1-4, p. 321-327)
Homework: Worksheet 2 or 2A – PICK ONE (p. 372 or 373) -DUE Oct 14
Oct 14
Lesson: Pros/Cons (Handout 5, p. 328)
Homework: Worksheet 3 or 3A – PICK ONE (p. 374 or 375) – DUE Oct 21
Oct 21
Lesson: TIPP Your Body Chemistry (Handouts 6-6C, p. 329-332)
Homework: Worksheet 4 (p. 376) – DUE Oct 28
Oct 28
Lesson: ACCEPTS, Soothe, IMPROVE (Handouts 7-9A, p. 333-337)
Homework: Worksheets 5-7B – PICK ONE (p. 379-388) - DUE Nov 4
Nov 4
Lesson: Radical Acceptance/Turning the Mind (Handouts 10-12, p. 341-345)
Homework: Worksheet 9 or 9A – PICK ONE or both (p. 394 or 395) – DUE Nov 18 (No group on Nov 11)
Nov 11
No Group – Veterans Day
Nov 18
Lesson: Willingness/Half-Smile and Willing Hands (Handouts 13-14A, p. 346-349)
Homework: Worksheet 10, 11, or 11A – PICK ONE (p. 396, 397, or 398) – DUE Nov 25
Nov 25
Lesson: Mindfulness of Current Thoughts (Handouts 15-15A, p. 350-352)
Homework: Worksheet 12 (p. 399) – DUE Dec 2
Thursday Group - Distress Tolerance Homework Schedule (Sept – Nov 2026)
Sept 24
Lesson: Mindfulness: Wise Mind (Handouts 3-3A, p. 50-52)
Homework: Worksheet 3 (p. 83) - DUE Oct 1
Oct 1
Lesson: Mindfulness: Walking the Middle Path (Handout 10, p. 74)
Homework: Worksheet 10, 10A, or 10B – PICK ONE (p. 105, 106, or 107) - DUE Oct 8
Oct 8
Lesson: Goals, Overview, When to Use, STOP skill (Handouts 1-4, p. 321-327)
Homework: Worksheet 2 or 2A – PICK ONE (p. 372 or 373) -DUE Oct 15
Oct 15
Lesson: Pros/Cons (Handout 5, p. 328)
Homework: Worksheet 3 or 3A – PICK ONE (p. 374 or 375) – DUE Oct 22
Oct 22
Lesson: TIPP Your Body Chemistry (Handouts 6-6C, p. 329-332)
Homework: Worksheet 4 (p. 376) – DUE Oct 29
Oct 29
Lesson: ACCEPTS, Soothe, IMPROVE (Handouts 7-9A, p. 333-337)
Homework: Worksheets 5-7B – PICK ONE (p. 379-388) - DUE Nov 5
Nov 5
Lesson: Radical Acceptance/Turning the Mind (Handouts 10-12, p. 341-345)
Homework: Worksheet 9 or 9A – PICK ONE or both (p. 394 or 395) – DUE Nov 12
Nov 12
Lesson: Willingness/Half-Smile and Willing Hands (Handouts 13-14A, p. 346-349)
Homework: Worksheet 10, 11, or 11A – PICK ONE (p. 396, 397, or 398) – DUE Nov 19
Nov 19
Lesson: Mindfulness of Current Thoughts (Handouts 15-15A, p. 350-352)
Homework: Worksheet 12 (p. 399) – DUE Dec 3 (No group on Nov 26)
Nov 26
No Group - Thanksgiving