Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Veterans Program (DBT-V)
About Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Veterans Program (DBT-V)
The Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skill program aims to empower individuals who have challenges in managing their emotions, relationships and tolerance of distress. Participants will learn coping skills by building their toolbox of skills to deal with distress and regulate their emotions in a functional and adaptive way. It also teaches fundamental interpersonal skills to help improve relationships.
This program may be suitable for you if:
- You frequently experience high levels of distress. You are a veteran or are transitioning from the defence force.
- You find it difficult to control and regulate your emotions.
- You find it challenging to get along with others or experience a lot of conflict in your relationships.
- You feel stuck in the way you feel and would love to learn how to get out of this cycle.
- You are ready and willing to learn new skills to change the way you feel.
Program content
Core Mindfulness – beginning of each module
- Core mindfulness skills
- States of Mind
- Practicing Wise mind
- Dialectics
Module 1 – Distress Tolerance
- Goals of Distress Tolerance
- Crisis survival skills
- Distracting
- Self-Soothing
- Improving the moment
- Radical Acceptance
- Willingness
- When Crisis is addiction
Module 2 - Emotional Regulation
- Understanding and naming emotions
- Biosocial theory
- What emotions do for you
- Ways to describe emotions
- Changing emotional responses
- Problem solving
- Reducing vulnerability of emotion mind
- Accumulate positive emotions
- Build mastery and cope ahead
- Emotional regulation skills
- Mindfulness to emotion and managing extreme emotions
Module 3 – Interpersonal Effectiveness
- Goals of interpersonal effectiveness
- Factors and myths that get in the way of interpersonal effectiveness
- Clarifying goals in interpersonal situations
- Interpersonal skills
- Levels of validation skills
What you will experience
Attend pre-program assessment prior to commencing. Aim is to consider goals & discuss details of the program. Participate group sessions with 8-10 participants. Group is led by qualified mental health trained professionals who will support the learning practical skills & evidence-based strategies. It includes learning new skills & practicing during & between sessions as part of weekly homework which are discussed each session. (Have more)
Treatment objectives
Objective 1
Decrease unhelpful behaviours such as self-harm, impulsive or reckless behaviours.
Objective 2
Improve relationships with others
Objective 3
Increase skills in managing difficult emotions
Objective 4
Increase positive coping skills
Objective 5
Develop an awareness and sense of control over emotions and behaviour.
What's included
Education
To develop or refine new skills and strategies.
Workbooks
To guide you though education, reflection and exercises designed to tackle your symptoms.
How to get started
Individuals interested in attending this program will need a referral from a Psychiatrist with admission rights to Townsville Private Clinic. Please discuss the group with your treating psychiatrist or contact the Townsville Private Clinic Admissions & Assessment team on 1800 884 767.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will find this program helpful?
Veterans or those currently transitioning from the Australian Defence Force who experience symptoms of impulsivity, frequent interpersonal conflict, and difficulty with emotional regulation, anger and poor coping in stressful situations.
How much dose it cost?
You will be admitted as a day patient and as such, can claim the cost via your private health fund. All health funds have different rules. Please check with Townsville Private Clinic Day Program administration, who will advise you of any applicable out-of-pocket excess or gap costs that you will incur. This program is approved by DVA.
When does this treatment start, and how long does it take?
The Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Veterans Program is a 16 week program. It is held once a week. Each session runs from 9:00am until 2:30pm. Morning tea and lunch is provided. Please confirm days and group commencement dates with Day Program Administration staff.
