DBT-A RANGATAHI SKILLS RETREAT DAYS 2025

Do you have a young client struggling with trauma related emotional dysregulation, difficulty tolerating
distress, having problems with dissociation and staying present, having difficulties in their relationships with others?

DBT-A is an evidence based approach to helping with faulty ways of thinking, internal chaos and navigating thorny relationships. A core dialectic in DBT A Skills is the balance between acceptance and change. DBT-A equips individuals with tools to embrace both acceptance and change, fostering resilience, emotional regulation and healthier decision-making. This group will help reduce over-all stress and boost wellbeing while allowing your clients to understand who they are and gain skills in a compassionate, supportive and encouraging environment.

WHAT DOES A DBT A SKILLS RETREAT GROUP LOOK LIKE?

This skills based experiential group is effective for adolescents who struggle with intense emotions, disruptive behaviours and challenging relationships. The series of DBT A Skills Retreat days are designed specifically for young people aged 12 to 16 who have experienced trauma symptoms and would benefit from emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness skills.
Expected outcomes are skills in:

• Increased resilience
• Understanding, managing and regulating emotions
• Tolerating distress and crises without making problems bigger
• Maintaining satisfying relationships with others
• Increasing self-awareness
• Expanding their ability to recognize alternative points of view
• Managing emotional situations
• Increasing problem solving skills,
• Learning validation and e
• Effectively managing differences of opinion with family members and friends
• Support and connection from others who understand your journey

How to Apply

In your wellbeing plan or via your clients recovery partner please request:
A purchase order to Lead group provider Diane Gillespie psychologist PAG505 for:

Email any questions and your purchase order to dallas@southcoastpsychology.co.nz
More Information

WHAT TO EXPECT

The day will include:

• Mindfulness Skills Exercises to develop a mindfulness practice.
• Group Sharing: Review of workbook, app use and video/you tube clips found useful and how these skills have been applied at home, school and in their relationships
• Psycho education in area being focused on eg Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal effectiveness
• Teaching of a series of four skills in each area eg: PLEASE, ABC, Check the Facts, Opposite Action, and so forth
• Shared Meal Activity

WHO CAN JOIN?

Young people (12-16 years) who have experienced trauma and are seeking to make healthy changes in their lives. Participants must be able to attend DBT A Retreat Skills days and engage in group activities (if transport is required this must be requested from and by ACC. They must be in the Tailored Support to wellbeing stage (Either A or B) of their ACC engagement.