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Writer's pictureAlicia Paz

What is DBT Skills Coaching?

As I dive into my 7th year teaching DBT online, there are certain topics that continue to come up. I often get asked if there are any DBT tutors or similar to help with accountability, understanding skills, etc. There is! It's called DBT skills coaching.


DBT skills coaching is

  • Individual time with a trained therapist

  • A place to ask specific and often personal questions

  • Space to create a personalized plan for future situations in which using DBT skills will be vital (ex: that pesky family reunion!)

  • A place to review skills used including diary cards

  • A way to get some tips and examples in using skills

DBT skills coaching is NOT

  • For those in a crisis regarding their mental health

  • Urgent "I need an answer now" space

  • Useful if you haven't tried a skill already

  • A way to begin learning DBT, skills coaching is for those who have an understanding of specific DBT skills

What DBT skills coaching looks like with me

  • You see my face, although you are welcome to do audio only or ask me to turn my video off.

  • Friendly and focused check-in about how using skills went since we last spoke

  • Collaborative conversation about how best to use this time, skill help, planning ahead, etc.

  • Follow up: E-mailed list of skills discussed and any homework, followed up by a pdf with skills discussed.

  • 30-minutes or 60-minutes recurring every other week or monthly

Who can benefit from DBT skills coaching?

Anyone wanting to gain more from their current DBT courses or the skills they learned prior. Many of my clients have long graduated from DBT and are seeking "graduate" assistance now that they don't have that type of support and most are in counseling but need more skills support.

How to get started:

Message me to chat about goals and decide if this is a good fit. Let's chat!

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