Let's do Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

[Phoenix_Rising]

Good morning, 

@Catcakes that is super cool that you found a DBT program that included individual therapy as well as the skills group. Did it also include between-session telephone contact? One of my big gripes is that so many private therapists say they do DBT, but they actually only do the skills bit. DBT is supposed to also include between session phone support. Linehan states very clearly that if a therapist can't provide between session support, then they can't do DBT. 

I like the idea of drawing with your eyes closed as a participating activity. Given that no-one can ever tell what my drawings are supposed to be when I've had my eyes open, I'm sure any drawings I did with my eyes closed would turn out to be truly abstract. 

Yesterday I spent all day playing with some data and it occurred to me that this is another activity where I experience a sense of flow. I know this is a little atypical, but I find it superly duperly calming. I also find making pictures on the computer a super cool participating activity - super big thank you for teaching me that one @Zoe7.

Thinking about this got me wondering if anyone else can think of some more activities that they find they get completely absorbed in? @CheerBear mentioned crocheting. What about colouring in? I'm not really into that, but I know a lot of people find it super calming. I'm guessing maybe you get into a state of flow when you are painting, @Faith-and-Hope?

I wonder if anyone else has been egg balancing. @Former-Member I read over there --> that you were thinking of getting your children to try it. That sounds like a super idea. And as a bonus, if they drop eggs all over the floor, you will get a chance to practice distress tolerance while you clean up the mess. 

Hey @Former-Member @Former-Member @Former-Member @Former-Member have you tried balancing an egg yet? I super think everyone at SANE should try it. Maybe the ability to balance an egg could be a selection criteria for next time you guys are recruiting new people. 

[Lt72884]

so, i would like to join. only problem.. i am a full time mechanical and areospace engineering student with no income. i am living off of student loans and scholarships... Are there any free resources out there that i can actually do that wont just start me, then leave me hanging?

thanks

[Catcakes]

Hi @Phoenix _Rising,
Yes the DBT I received was the full package.
Group sessions, individual sessions and telephone coaching to be used when you needed to be directed to use DBT skills effectively. The psychologist had been intensively trained in DBT in the UK.

[Former-Member]

Morning @Phoenix_Rising 🙂

We should all give the balancing egg mindful task a go, when we get some spare time as I have heard it can take a while - to the point where tracking time is lost

I have found a mindful task that I have to do at home, which is giving my cat a brush as she has very long hair and coughing up some huge hair balls. SO when I brush her...which is daily over summer and spring, I have to not only follow her around the unit because she won't lie down for atleast 5 minutes, but once she does lie down, I have to continually watch for her scratching me with her claws as she thinks I am playing with her my full attention is on her and tracking of time is completely lost

[Zoe7]

wtg Elsie lol - and wtg @Former-Member 

[Former-Member]

Haha she is very happy about this new 'game' we play every night @Zoe7, meanwhile my ultimate goal is to be able to brush the matts on her little chest... one day I will get there without being injured, I have hope

[Zoe7]

Cat loves to lay on her back so I can brush her chest easily @Former-Member - she also loves being brushed around her head - this is time(not very regularly atm) that I have with just her - no Toby to interrupt 

Toby of course gets brushed every night lol 

[Former-Member]

Haha lucky Toby, and lucky @Zoe7 that Cat will lye on her back while you brush her chest! I love their little faces when you brush their head - pure bliss

[Zoe7]

Cat purring and looking relaxed is uplifting for me @Former-Member - wish I could have more of that but the little white fluffball will not 'allow' it - wants all the attention himself lol

[Faith-and-Hope]

Hi @L172884 and welcome to the forums.

I believe somewhere earlier in this thread a link was given to free online resources for DBT.

Can someone more knowledgeable that me follow up on this please ?

Yes @Phoenix_Rising ...... my painting is definitely a flow ...... it flows out of my hand and onto the canvas with my brain barely engaged ...... and what is produced is as much a surprise to me as to anybody else. Quite a surreal experience really.