New Offering: DBT Skills for Families and Friends
You don’t have to do this alone. DBT skills can help.
If someone you love struggles with intense emotions, unpredictable moods, or overwhelming reactions to everyday situations, you know how exhausting and isolating it can feel. You might find yourself constantly walking on eggshells, unsure of what to say or do. You might feel guilty, frustrated, or burned out, sometimes all at once.
What if you could learn concrete skills to help both you and your loved one navigate these challenges more effectively?
We’re excited to announce a new 12-week virtual DBT skills group specifically designed for family members and friends of individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation. Whether your loved one has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), another condition involving emotional dysregulation, or is simply struggling with intense emotions, this group can help.
What is DBT Skills for Families and Friends?
This group teaches the same evidence-based skills used in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—adapted specifically for family members and friends. Over 12 weeks, you’ll learn practical techniques to:
- Validate emotions without reinforcing unhelpful behavior
- Communicate effectively and ask for what you need
- Set boundaries while maintaining connection
- Manage crises without making them worse
- Navigate your own emotions when things feel overwhelming
- Support your loved one’s treatment without becoming their therapist
- Take care of yourself while caring for someone else
You’ll also connect with others who truly understand what you’re going through. People who get it when you say you’re exhausted, confused, or don’t know what to do next.
Who Should Attend?
This group is for parents, partners, adult children, extended family members, and friends of individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation. You don’t need any prior DBT knowledge. You just need to be willing to learn new skills and practice them.
Currently enrolling: Family members and friends of current Gladstone DBT program participants who have Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maryland insurance.
Self-pay options for those outside Gladstone’s DBT program will be available soon. Contact us to be added to the waitlist for future groups.
DBT Skills Group Details
What: DBT Skills for Families and Friends
A 12-week closed group (participants commit to all 12 weeks)
When: Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:30 PM
Where: Virtual (Zoom)
Who: Co-led by Nicole Roder, LCSW-C, DBT-LBC, and Danely Johnson, LCSW-C, DBT-LBC, certified DBT therapists at Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness
Cost: Covered by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maryland for family members of current Gladstone DBT clients
What Will We Cover?
The 12-week curriculum includes:
- Weeks 1-2: Understanding emotional dysregulation and learning the foundation of DBT
- Weeks 3-4: Mastering validation—the most powerful skill for reducing emotional intensity
- Weeks 5-6: Effective communication and boundary-setting
- Week 7: Crisis management and suicide risk assessment
- Week 8: Distress tolerance skills for YOU
- Week 9: Radical acceptance
- Week 10: Building emotional resilience (ABC PLEASE)
- Week 11: Supporting your loved one’s treatment effectively
- Week 12: Long-term strategies and moving forward
Each session includes mindfulness practice, skills teaching, practice exercises, and consultation time where you can bring real situations you’re facing and get input from facilitators and other group members.
Why These Skills Matter
Research shows that when family members learn DBT skills, everyone benefits. You’ll learn how to:
- Respond instead of react
- Create a more validating environment (which reduces crises)
- Communicate without escalating conflicts
- Recognize and reinforce skillful behavior
- Maintain your own wellbeing while supporting your loved one
These aren’t just theories. They’re practical tools you can use immediately in real situations.
How to Register
Space is limited to ensure quality interaction and support. To register or ask questions, contact:
Nicole Roder, LCSW-C, DBT-LBC
Gladstone DBT Therapist
[email protected]
Don’t wait to get the support and skills you need. Supporting someone with emotional dysregulation is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
About Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness
Gladstone’s DBT program is the first in Maryland to be certified by the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, with multiple individually certified therapists on staff. We offer comprehensive DBT treatment including individual therapy, skills training groups, phone coaching, and now—skills training specifically for families and friends. Our offices are located in Baltimore City, Hunt Valley, Columbia, Frederick, and Bethesda, with virtual options available.
Learn more at gladstonepsych.com or call 443-708-5856 to connect with our team.
