DBT Skills Group in Bentonville, AR
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Group is a structured, 24-week program teaching four core skill modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Learn to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build a life worth living.
DBT was originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan for borderline personality disorder and has demonstrated effectiveness in randomized controlled trials (Linehan et al., 2006, Archives of General Psychiatry) for anyone struggling with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, or relationship difficulties. Our skills group follows the standard DBT model — a structured curriculum that builds practical, immediately usable skills for everyday life.
The Four DBT Skill Modules
Each module builds essential life skills. The full 24-week cycle covers all four modules, creating a comprehensive toolkit for emotional wellness.
Mindfulness
The foundation of all DBT skills. Learn to observe, describe, and participate in the present moment without judgment. Practice wise mind — balancing emotion mind and reasonable mind.
Distress Tolerance
Crisis survival skills for when emotions feel overwhelming. Learn TIPP, STOP, radical acceptance, and distraction techniques to get through painful moments without making things worse.
Emotion Regulation
Understand your emotions, reduce vulnerability to negative emotions, and increase positive emotional experiences. Learn to check the facts, opposite action, and build mastery.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Get what you need from relationships while maintaining self-respect and the relationship itself. Master DEAR MAN, GIVE, and FAST skills for assertive communication.
Ready to Schedule Your First Session?
Free 15-minute consultation · Same-week appointments · Most insurance accepted
Why DBT Skills Group?
DBT is one of the most researched and effective treatments for emotional dysregulation, with decades of evidence supporting its effectiveness (Cochrane Review: Storebø et al., 2020).
How DBT Skills Group Works
A structured, progressive program designed to build skills systematically across four essential life domains.
Orientation & Assessment
Meet with the group facilitator to discuss your goals, complete a brief assessment, and learn the DBT framework. We'll ensure the group is the right fit and review expectations.
24-Week Skills Training
Weekly 2-hour group sessions following the DBT skills manual. Each module (6 weeks) includes didactic teaching, group practice, and homework review. Diary cards track daily skill use.
Graduation & Continued Practice
Complete the full cycle with a comprehensive skills toolkit. Many members repeat the cycle to deepen skills. Individual therapy can complement group work.
What You'll Learn — The 24-Week Curriculum
The group cycles through all four standard DBT modules over 24 weeks (about six weeks each), with mindfulness revisited at the start of every module. Every session pairs teaching with practice, and weekly diary cards and homework help you carry the skills into daily life.
Mindfulness — the foundation, taught between every module
Finding "Wise Mind" — the balance between emotion and reason. The "what" skills (observe, describe, participate) and the "how" skills (non-judgmentally, one-mindfully, effectively) build the awareness every other skill depends on.
Distress Tolerance — weeks ~1–6
Getting through a crisis without making it worse: STOP, TIPP, pros and cons, the ACCEPTS distraction skills, self-soothing with the five senses, and IMPROVE the moment. Then the reality-acceptance skills — radical acceptance, turning the mind, and willingness — for the pain that can't be changed right now.
Emotion Regulation — weeks ~7–12
Naming and understanding emotions, checking the facts, and using opposite action when an emotion doesn't fit the situation. Building resilience with the PLEASE skills (caring for your body, sleep, and routines) and accumulating positive experiences so emotions are easier to manage before a crisis hits.
Interpersonal Effectiveness — weeks ~13–18
Asking for what you need and saying no while keeping your self-respect and the relationship intact: DEAR MAN for getting your point across, GIVE for protecting the relationship, and FAST for protecting your own values and self-respect.
Is the DBT Skills Group Right for You?
Often a good fit if you
- Feel emotions intensely or have a hard time calming down once upset
- Act on urges you later regret, or shut down and avoid
- Struggle with conflict, boundaries, or feeling heard in relationships
- Want concrete, practical skills — not just talk
- Are working with an individual therapist and want to add skills training
We'll help you find the right starting point
A brief orientation and assessment makes sure the group is the right fit before you commit. The DBT Skills Group is skills training — for some people, individual therapy or a higher level of care is the better first step, and we'll help you find it.
If you're ever in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please reach out right away: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Group Format, Confidentiality & What to Expect
Format. A closed cohort of 6–8 members meets weekly for a two-hour session across the 24-week cycle. Sessions are available in person at our downtown Bentonville office (240 S Main St, Suite #270) and via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth for clients across Arkansas. Handouts and worksheets are provided each week.
Confidentiality. What's shared in group stays in group. Every member agrees to group norms that protect each other's privacy, and your clinician maintains confidentiality consistent with HIPAA and the NASW Code of Ethics. The limited exceptions — situations involving imminent safety — are explained clearly during orientation so you always know what to expect.
Cost & insurance. The group format is more affordable than individual DBT, and we verify your benefits before you start. We're a BCBS of Arkansas preferred provider and work with Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and TRICARE; a Good Faith Estimate is provided per the No Surprises Act. See pricing & what to expect for details.
Ready to take the next step? Free 15-minute consultation — no commitment required.
Book Free Consultation → Call (479) 259-1390
Skills That Transform Daily Life
DBT skills aren't just for therapy sessions — they become part of how you navigate every day. From managing intense emotions in the moment to building relationships that truly fulfill you, these evidence-informed tools create lasting change.
Practice DBT skills anytime...
DBT Skills Card Deck
50 printable cards covering distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. A handy reference to reinforce what you learn in group.
Get the Card Deck — $44.99Instant PDF download · Designed by our licensed clinicians
For educational and personal development purposes. Not a substitute for professional therapy.
Ready to Build Skills That Last a Lifetime?
Our next DBT Skills Group is forming now — spots are limited to 8 members. Leave your info below and we’ll reach out the moment enrollment opens.
Groups launch as soon as we have a full cohort — the sooner you sign up, the sooner we start.
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Ready to Take the Next Step?
Free 15-minute consultation · Same-week appointments · Most insurance accepted
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation — no commitment, no pressure.