DBT Assessment

I had a phone call today inviting me to an assessment for DBT next week. The therapist sounded absolutely lovely on the phone and I'm glad I've FINALLY got an appointment after spending so much time in the wrong therapies. But I'm also a bit terrified. I don't know what to expect and I'm just kind of worried that they'll say I don't need help or I'm not right for the programme of something What kind of stuff do they ask in these assessments? I always space out and forget to mention essential stuff

I know this has been a few days. I just wanted to let you know that I hope your assessment goes well. If you're nervous, feel free to let the therapist know this. Perhaps write some stuff ahead of time that you want to make sure to bring up so that you don't forget?

Thanks Chez I have it on Wednesday, I'll let you know how it goes. And cheers for the advice. I'm definitely gonna write a few bits down so I don't get all confuddled

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know it went really well today
The therapist seems really nice and actually human! (which I think is pretty rare! ) and after my assessment she said I'm definitely suitable for DBT so she's offered me a place. She also told me she thinks i'm very 'treatable' so i'm feeling all positive and stuff (makes a nice change)
Just thought i'd fill you in. Hope you're both good x

Thanks littlearcher
How are you finding the class? How long have you been doing it for?
Well, she wants us to have another assessment session next week, then said we'll be starting 'pre treatment' for a little while after that (from what I can gather that's just basically one to one sessions for a bit) Then after this it will be the actual DBT which will be one individual session and one group session a week. I'm unsure on the programme exactly. She just told me it would include four modules? All I remember is distress tolerance is one of them, I can't remember the other three Does this sound similar to what you're doing?

Ophelia333 wrote:She just told me it would include four modules?

YEP! Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

I'm glad that the assessment went well and that you are feeling hopeful! That's definitely an important step towards recovery.

Ophelia333 wrote:Does this sound similar to what you're doing?

What you described does sound similar to the DBT program that I went through. 1:1 therapy once a week as well as DBT group therapy once a week for at least a year which includes all four modules at least twice. In addition there was telephone skills coaching available when needed.

Hey all! I've been in DBT since April. This may be a bit of a rant but I need y'all to give your opinions of DBT. I've been in cognitive behavioral therapy for years and it always seemed to work well. My new pdoc decided since I am BPD I automatically need DBT. The therapist is so naïve about things and continually makes assumptions about my behaviors in front of the others in group. Mind you her assumptions are also incorrect! I've learned that I can withhold certain info from the therapist and others until I feel they need to know. But this therapist says she doesn't need to ask me because she knows! Really? Since when did she give birth, raise and send me thru college? She reports to my pdoc about me, no biggie, if she wouldn't lie to him. He questions me on everything that she tells him and I contradict what she has told him. Of course, as a BPD, who is he going to believe? Not me!! I spoke with a different therapist whom I've known for years, he has been at my side thru all of this. One day he questioned her and she acted as a parrot telling him a well rehearsed lie, he went to my pdoc and asked him if he had asked me. Come to find out that my pdoc was believing the wrong person, for I have always been honest with him and the other therapist. They both questioned the DBT therapist with me present, who all of a sudden changed her story. She has told me I cannot get out of DBT because of my BPD diagnosis, but where does it say that DBT works for all BPD's? Isn't that a stereotype? I've always had a rage issue, I'm beyond an anger person. I don't hate people, I get revenge. I don't see how my rage is more out of control since DBT than it was in cognitive. I see my pdoc next Wed. the 25th, I'm hoping he can see there is an issue. If we cannot come to an agreement or compromise I wonder what my next move will be? I'm trying to remain rational, but it's been taking every ounce of restraint I have not to reach across the table in group and choke the DBT therapist. I trust my pdoc and fought to get him as my doc, but this lady, has got to go. Tell me this is NOT how a normal DBT group is run.

I'm sure the major problem is the therapist. I don't get half the skills and if I pose a question regarding the skill I receive a look of "how ignorant are you" from everyone. I do not get it, period, I think the skills are stupid and worthless. I'll try any therapy to see if it will benefit me. Obviously between the ignorance of the facilitator and my lack of understanding of skills, I think this may be a no go therapy. I'm the type of person that thinks backwards. Easy things are hard and hard things are easy. For example, I can do calculus problems in my head, but when playing dominoes I need a pen and paper to add the amounts. Maybe this is a similar situation. I'm trying to think this through before making a rash judgment, but honestly, I think I need to go back to CBT. I worked really well, why fix something that isn't broke? Not all therapies are for everyone.

The reason I was given for the change of therapy was "because you have a borderline diagnosis, since this is your primary diagnosis, it is required you go thru DBT"-Intake Coordinator. First, personality disorders are not primary, they are secondary. Anyone who has read the DSM or taken a psych course could tell you that. Considering, I also have severe PTSD, ADD, OCD and rage issues this DBT thing isn't really appropriate. Even my PCP has said so. I'm not saying DBT is bad, if it works for other borderlines, great. I just can't make heads or tails of this.

I hope so too. On Wednesday when I address this to the pdoc, hopefully I can keep my rage under control and get my point across calmly and effectively. I think this has situation has made things worse and that CBT is where I need to be. Of course, I'm also facing a medication change that day too, but not because of group, for a medical reason. Wish me luck y'all (yes I live in a semi-sothern state in the US).