BPD Support Resource
DBT Family & Friends Classes
Break the cycle of daily chaos, feel less helplessness and resentment, and build a healthy, fulfilling relationship with your emotionally dysregulated loved one.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone
Most family members and friends that attend our classes are facing complete emotional and relational gridlock — feeling like they can’t gain any ground towards effective communication and they’re out of options.
Often, marriages are strained, siblings become the “lost kid” due to the perpetual chaos and everyone’s role in life has blurred lines. It’s a dire situation for everyone.
We understand. And you are not alone. While navigating BPD and other emotional dysregulation disorders feels impossible, we assure you that many people have found relief and hope as a result of this type of education and support.
It’s time to reclaim your relationship and find peace.
challenges you might be facing:
You've tried everything.
You’ve read all books, seen a bunch of specialists, and spent a lot of time, energy and money trying to fix your situation but nothing is really working, leaving you even more confused and exhausted.
You just want to fix it.
It’s very common to grieve the “normal” child, spouse, partner, parent or friend you could have had. Most supports expend a ton of energy trying to fix their loved one (spoiler alert — it doesn’t work!).
You're feeling hopeless.
It’s not surprising that all this expended energy, time and money — no doubt from a place of love — feels wasted and leaves you feeling completely hopeless.
“I have felt like I was in a foreign country, not educated in the culture or language and finally someone is speaking my language.”
Anonymous
Class Alumni
You Can:
get out of gridlock
It’s very common for loved ones to feel that conflict is running amok and they’re stuck at an impasse, unable to communicate without making things worse, let alone effectively. You deserve to come up for air, get unstuck, find clarity, and feel some forward momentum.
show up for yourself
We often find parents, partners or friends are unable to fulfill their roles in life — can’t be there for the other child(ren), work is suffering, marriage is strained. You deserve to gain a foothold, have productive conversations, set boundaries and return to your life roles.
feel less resentment
Loved ones of class alumni said they felt more validated and more loved and parents have said they felt more empathy, less bitterness, less resentment, more positive feelings and less burn out.
DBT Family & Friends Classes
Gain the tools and resources to better understand, connect with, and support your loved one struggling with emotion dysregulation, all while being supported by your peers coached by a licensed, experienced therapist.
Class 01.
Intro to DBT & Emotion Dysregulation
The class will cover the origins and uniquely constructed aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which make it the gold standard for treating BPD and other disorders of emotional dysregulation. We will begin to build the foundation for a healthy, fulfilling relationship with your loved one by introducing DBT-based strategies and tools to connect with them in an effective way.
What is DBT?
Gain an understanding of the science behind emotion regulation, associated problem behaviors, and impact on the family dynamic. We’ll cover the origins and uniquely constructed aspects of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) which make it the gold standard for treating BPD.
Lesson 02
Areas of Dysregulation
Learn the five areas of dysregulation and how emotional dysregulation drives the four other areas. Share behaviors you have observed, listen to other’s experiences, and learn how they fit into the model of DBT.
Lesson 03
Biosocial Theory
How do these problems develop? What is emotional vulnerability? What is an emotionally invalidating environment? Learn to recognize where you’re invalidating (usually unintentionally) and what it means to validate.
Lesson 04
States of Mind
Learn the different states of mind, including the desirable Wise Mind state (a concept from Marsha Linehan), and how we balance on the transactional seesaw.
Lesson 05
Components of DBT
We’ll cover the various components of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and how it aligns so effectively with individual therapy, groups, and coaching.
Lesson 06
Stages & Targets of Treatment
Learn how maladaptive behaviors are targeted in DBT through Behavioral Chain Analysis.
Class 02.
Improving Communication With Your Loved One
Concepts learned in the intro class will be built upon to empower participants as they learn DBT-based tools and strategies to better connect with, collaboratively problem solve, and manage conflict with their loved ones. This class will equip participants to effectively utilize a balance of validation and limit setting approaches to interact in ways that are truly helpful.
Class Breakdown:
Lesson 01
Dialectics
There’s more than one way to see things. Opposing things can be true at the same time. This lesson dives into recognizing dialectics that influence emotional dysregulation and conflict, and sets the stage for validation.
Lesson 02
Validation
Understand what it means to validate with real life examples. Validation is essential to healthy relationships and does not equal agreement — we validate on continuums. In this lesson, we’ll role play validation and invalidation for a deeper understanding.
Lesson 03
Setting Limits
Limits, also known as boundaries, are essential for keeping us safe and healthy. In this lesson, we’ll unpack a helpful limit setting skill called DEAR MAN step by step and we’ll role play with the group.
Lesson 04
Influencing Behaviors
Learn how to increase desirable behaviors through reinforcement and shaping, and decrease undesirable behaviors through extinction. We’ll also cover why punishment is not an effective tool for changing behaviors.
Putting It All Together
Finally, we’ll put it all together with more role play and next steps for you and your family. You’ll walk away with a ton of resources including a Conversation Prep Worksheet, Validation Prompts, Validation Flow Chart and some suggested readings to continue your education journey.
the results
Walk away with tools to *effectively* connect with your loved one.
Finally have *productive* conversations about finances, borrowing the car, household and other responsibilities.
Gain confidence and feel a sense of hope again.
Loved ones of class alumni have said they feel more validated and more loved as a result of their supports taking these classes.
Hi, I'm Cheryl, your coach.
As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, I specialize in diagnosing and treating a variety of mental health problems in individuals of all ages. I have been treating people with emotional dysregulation for almost 20 years. I understand the person experiencing dysregulation which allows me to help their support systems better understand them. I provide a space where support people are no longer on an island — I give them the missing pieces and help connect the dots, empowering them with skills to strengthen relationships, better communicate and set limits.
“I feel I understand my partner better and am able to understand my own emotions based off their reactions. Thank you!”
“Perfect level and amount of info.”
“Essential information if you’re in a relationship.”
“I deeply appreciate how these skills are applicable not just for supporting my loved one in DBT, but also for handling challenging situations that arise day-to-day with a variety of individuals in my life.”
“Cheryl gave excellent examples of validation. It’s an art that is not always easy to learn.”
“Both DBT Skills classes were so helpful.”
How It Works
Register online
Choose an upcoming date that works best for you! Classes are held quarterly and offered virtually and in-person in Columbus, OH.
02
Attend & learn
Attend your training either virtually or in-person. Gain a deeper understanding of your loved one, your situation and how to move forward effectively.
03
Get more support
For continued support, connect with your peers from class, join a group, or book a family coaching session with Cheryl. If you’re taking Class 1, consider taking Class 2 to gain real life practice through role play.
Class 01.
Intro to DBT & Emotion Dysregulation
2.5 hour comprehensive training
Workbook & Exercises
Real Life Scenario Matching
Peer Community & Support
Improving Communication With Your Loved One
2.5 hour comprehensive training
Workbook & Exercises
Role Play & Practice
Peer Community & Support
investment: $125
PLEASE NOTE:
It is strongly recommended that you complete class 1 or schedule a one-on-one meeting with Cheryl prior to registering for class 2.
Schedule coaching
Choose a payment plan:
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One Payment
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