DBT Skills Training Series
for Young Adults
Do you want to learn more effective strategies to manage stress, emotions, relationships, and yourself? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training is a class to learn skills to improve one’s ability to cope with daily stress and life. It is not group therapy.
This upcoming series will cover mindfulness and emotion regulation.
This group is for young adults (18-29 years old) who are in transition (post-high school) and want learn new skills to cope with life stressors, intense emotions, and challenging relationships.
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​Mindfulness & Emotion Regulation
January 21 - April 1, 2026 (no group on February 11).
Wednesdays 6-7:30/8, depending on group size.
This program is 100% virtual. ​​
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Course Details
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Requirements to participate
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Potential participants must:
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have a therapist in place who will maintain this service during the entire series
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ensure the therapist will communicate with skills trainers
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authorize communication with necessary treatment providers
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complete necessary paperwork prior to intake
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pay for the intake meeting upfront
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participate in an individual intake meeting
- pay for the course or provide a down payment
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obtain the Marsha Linehan’s DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets (2015) by the first meeting (this can be found on Guilford or Amazon)
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and be ready to attend starting on the first day.
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Payment options
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New members are required to attend an intake session before group starts. The rate for this is $200.
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Participants sign up for the course series and do not pay for individual sessions. This means any classes not attended are non-refundable including if you drop out, or are removed from the class. Remaining balances will be charged at point of discharge.
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Plan 1:
Pay in full $800.
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Plan 2:
Two installments of $420. Payments are processed automatically with a credit card on file.
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Plan 3:
Three installments of $293, processed automatically with a credit card on file.​​​
What people are saying about DBT Skills:
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"Participating in DBT skills training online is so convenient and fits my schedule."
"I was surprised how comfortable virtual was!"
“I have learned so many new skills which has helped me manage my emotions more effectively.”
“Using my DBT skills on a regular basis has definitely improved my relationships. My loved ones noticed too!”
“It feels really good being more in control of how I manage my emotions and interact with others.”
“I use DBT skills each day and found I am more confident to handle things that come my way.”​
See below for commonly asked questions.
This DBT Skills training program is set up for participants to join by series. ​
January - April: Mindfulness & Emotion Regulation
April - June: Mindfulness & Interpersonal Effectiveness
September - November: Mindfulness & Distress Tolerance
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​​How to participate in the DBT skills training program:​
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Individuals can join at the start of any series.
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It is recommended that individuals complete every module twice (two rounds) to formally graduate the program.
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Completion of all the modules do not have to occur in order to accommodate the changes in young adult life.
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Skills training is not therapy rather a class often referred to as a "group" as it is a group of individuals being taught by a clinician.
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Skills training is required for DBT clients and an excellent addition to those in other therapies.
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Skills training does not replace individual therapy. All participants must have a therapist and attend therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't attend the first day, can I still attend? No, the first class is required to attend the series, especially for new participants.
What if I don't like it? Can I quit? This class is entirely voluntary; however, you will be expected to pay in full for the class.​ Instead, consider talking with your therapist and the skills trainers about your concerns.
Can I get my money back if I drop out? No, this class is nonrefundable. You are purchasing the class. You have purchased a spot that another person may have wanted. It is suggested that you discuss any concerns with your therapist and skills trainers and problem solve how to continue attending.
What do I do if I no longer want to do individual therapy? Keep doing it! ​Talk to your therapist about your issue with therapy. Issues can arise between the therapist and client from time-to-time. Stay in therapy until you find a new therapist as they are hard to come by. Stay in therapy until the end of the DBT skills series so you can finish the series. If you drop out of therapy, you drop out of skills training.​
Can I skip if I had a bad day and am too upset to come?​ This is a perfect reason to come as the group is full of people who understand! And, isn't this why you joined?​ Missing skills lessons will not help you. You are expected to attend despite dysregulated emotions and tough days. You can obtain coaching from your therapist or skills trainers to identify skills to help you get through group. There are two leaders in DBT group to support individuals during group when: Emotions get to be too much​ When participants need skills coaching to manage staying in group. When participants get lost in the material.
​​What do I do if I miss a session? Each week all participants receive an email about what was taught and the homework practice. You can read the email about what was taught, review the materials independently, and watch any recommended videos. You can review the material with your therapist during therapy. You can email leaders with any questions if you have trouble to obtain clarification. You may be able to schedule a 1:1 session with a coleader to review the skill you missed. You are expected to still practice the skill and discuss it at the next group session.
Can I participate without my camera on? What if I am uncomfortable? Yes, you need to be on camera. Rare exceptions will be approved by the leader or coleader. It can be uncomfortable for others when your screen is off. You can choose to hide "self-view" so you don't have to look at yourself which might make you less distracted. People do turn cameras off for short periods of time (e.g. those lovely moments of sneezing or coughing, quick trips to the bathroom, to get up to get a pen and the movement might be disruptive, etc.) Consider pretending we are all together in a physical room...none of us can make ourselves invisible.
Can I participate if I have headphones in and someone is in the room? ​No. You need to be alone, no exceptions. Headphones are helpful to reduce distraction for you, reduce noise pollution to the group, and reduce the possibility that those outside of the room may her others in the group.
Can I use my phone? If you have to, of course. Phones limit seeing everyone due to its size and features. Use it in landscape mode in efforts to see more in the group. Turn off your notifications and place your phone on Do Not Disturb. Computers are preferred for a few reasons:​ To see and respond to chats sent by the coleaders.​ So you can see everyone and are more part of the group.
I live in a dorm. I don't have my own space. What do I do? You can negotiate to have the room to yourself for group time. You can find a study room on campus (often libraries). You can borrow a friend's room for the time. You can't attend group with anyone else in the room, no exceptions.
Can I participate from my car? Yes, as long as no one else can see others in the group or hear others in the group.​ No one can be in the car with you. Please have whatever you need to be comfortable. Be sure you have a safe space to park as you can be vulnerable sitting in your car for long periods of time.
Do I have "homework"? Yes, your "homework" is to practice the skills you learn. That's the point of attending skills training, to integrate them into your daily life. The more you practice, the better mastery you obtain, and the easier they are to utilize when on your own. Although this is a "class" and there are practice worksheets, your worksheets are not graded. There are worksheets to guide you in your practice and track your practice.
Do I have to share how I practice with skills with other group members? Yes and no...it depends. Yes, sharing how you practice allows the skills trainers coach you on accuracy and help build your effectiveness.​ You peers can give you feedback and ideas to strengthen your approach. And no, sometimes your practice examples may be too private although usually you can share your practice without content that is too personal. If you consistently decline sharing, the skills trainers may coach you in how to share so you can get the most out of group and you can protect your privacy.
Do I have to do an intake before attending each series?​ No, you only have to do this once.​ If you leave and return years later, you may be asked to complete one to meet new leaders and provide updates.
If I want to continue with the next series, do I need to signup again? Yes. Current members ​are guaranteed spots in the next series and get priority. To sign up for the next series, simply inform the skills trainer that you plan to continue and how you want to pay. ​The skills trainer charges your card and the spot is yours! Current members are encouraged to commit to the next series before it is opened to outside individuals. Once the group is full, current members may not obtain a spot.​ However, if the group didn't seem to be a match, you may be informed to seek services elsewhere. It isn't fair or ethical to keep providing services to you that seem ineffective.
Can I take a break and return to the skills training program? Or, do I have to do it straight through? Yes, you can take a break and come back. Life happens and young adults have a lot of changes in their lives. ​The program is purposely designed to allow for this. Current members ​followed by returning members get priority over new members although it is also first come, first serve. To return, simply email the skills trainer, express desire to participate, complete and update your paperwork as requested, and pay for your spot! There is no need to do an intake unless it has been an extended period of time. If the group didn't seem to be a match, you may be informed to seek services elsewhere. It isn't fair or ethical to keep providing services to you that is not effective.
What do I receive for completing all the series? Once you complete the first round, which includes attending all series once, you receive a certificate of completion and moment of recognition at the final group. You can graduate the program by completing two rounds or attending each series twice. You receive a graduation certificate and moment of celebration at the final group.