Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Skills Groups (DBT) in Westford, MA

Facilitated by Lisa Wessan, LICSW
DBT Therapist and Skills Trainer
Tel: 978.710.8039
For DBT Contact Form, please click HERE.

Ancient spirals represent the winding journey
inward we must take if we are to truly love and
know ourselves. From that journey, we return
with more power and wisdom.

What does "dialectical" mean?

"The term "dialectical" means a synthesis or integration of opposites. The primary dialectic within DBT is between the seemingly opposite strategies of acceptance and change. For example, DBT therapists accept clients as they are while also acknowledging that they need to change in order to reach their goals. In addition, all of the skills and strategies taught in DBT are balanced in terms of acceptance and change. For example, the four skills modules include two sets of acceptance-oriented skills (mindfulness and distress tolerance) and two sets of change-oriented skills (emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness)."

~ Dr. Marsha Linehan, Founder

For example, in this moment you are good enough and perfect as is, AND you could improve...both beliefs are equally true. Embracing the paradox, or dialectical thought, is healthier than fighting with the reality of it. We hold many dialectical beliefs in our minds which can be very stressful if not understood on this level.

~ Lisa Wessan

Learn to better manage your
Impulsiveness
Self-Destructive Behavior
Distress of past events/traumas
and crises

Learn to better control your
Emotional Responses
Overwhelming Feelings
Attention and Focus
Staying in the Present, Mindfulness
Reduce Negative Judgments about
Self and Others

Learn to Improve your
Ability to Communicate Effectively

with Other People
Set Healthy Boundaries
Be Assertive, Cope with Conflict
Negotiate Solutions with
Dignity and Respect

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DAYTIME GROUPS
3:15 - 4:45 PM

The Wednesday Daytime group is still forming, and space is available. When we have six students enrolled we will begin this group.

The Thursday Daytime group is full until October 2017.

All Daytime groups are non-binary, co-ed, all are welcome (mature teens and up). A new Thursday daytime group will be starting on October 19, 2017:

CALENDAR*

2017 - 2018

October 19, 26

November 2, 9, 16, 30

December 7, 14, 2, 28*

January (2018)
4*, 11, 18, 25

*If more than half the group gives notice in advance and will be away for any given week, we will skip that week and end one week later. Therefore, please reserve February 1 and 8, 2018 in your calendar in case the group needs those dates. This way we have a commitment but there is flexibility, too.

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EVENING GROUP
Thursdays, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

The evening group is all women and mature teens (trans welcome). Thursday's evening group is ongoing and full now. There will be openings again here in January 2018.

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LOCATION:

Westford Center for Counseling
& Holistic Therapies
234 Littleton Road, Suite 1-D
Westford, MA 01886

(Free parking, handicapped accessible)

ROLLING ENROLLMENT:

Classes fill up quickly in advance. Please contact me for the next open enrollment period.

**Note: Enrollment requires an Initial Consultation with me to see if this group is a good fit for you. Please call to inquire at 978.710.8039.

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TUITION

Autumn-Winter 2017-2018
Daytime 14-week

DBT Skills Group on Distress Tolerance
and Mindfulness Modules

$630 before September 15, 2017.

$700 after September 15, 2017.

(This is a self-pay, non-insurance psycho-education and coaching program.)

REFUND POLICY

Refunds, less a $75 administrative fee, will be issued for all cancellations received two weeks prior to the start of the course. No refund will be made thereafter. "No-Shows" are subject to the full course fee.

Please watch a few of my DBT Videos to get a sense of how I work and teach.

If you should become ill and cannot attend the course, I will give you a partial class credit to re-enroll for the next group.

With DBT, you learn to access Wise Mind.

DBT

DBT skills help you practice emotional regulation so you can blend acceptance with positive action plans to improve your life. Once you can accept yourself where you are, you can improve and go forward without shame, blame, regret and guilt. This is one of the benefits of working the DBT skills, to release your painful past and boldly go forward with more inner peace and stronger coping skills.

I have been honored to witness many DBT graduates practice better emotional regulation, gain mindful insights, take more positive actions and transform their lives with the power of DBT Skills.

It is exciting to witness these solution-focused sessions turn into amazing results for our group members. That's why I love teaching DBT Skills!

With Hope and Courage,
Lisa Wessan

Lisa Wessan, LICSW
DBT Therapist and Skills Trainer

We use Dr. Marsha Linehan's DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets (2nd edition, spiral bound). Please use this ISBN number to avoid ordering the wrong edition:

ISBN # 978-1-57230-781-0

NOTE: This textbook was written with the intention of a trained facilitator explaining the material and working through the exercises within a group setting. It is not intended to read on your own, as there are gaps in understanding and sections that need to be explained and demonstrated.

Wessan In the news...click HERE to read articles written by or about Lisa Wessan.