Family Support Groups – 10 Benefits You May Not Have Thought About

DBT family support groups offer invaluable assistance and guidance to parents and caregivers of adolescents undergoing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). These family support groups provide a safe and supportive space for families to share their experiences, challenges, and successes in supporting their teen's journey towards emotional well-being. Led by experienced therapists or facilitators trained in DBT principles, these groups offer psychoeducation on DBT concepts and skills, helping family members better understand their teen's struggles and how to effectively support them. Through mutual support and encouragement, families can learn practical strategies for implementing DBT skills at home, setting boundaries, and fostering healthy communication within the family unit. By participating in DBT family support groups, parents and caregivers can gain the knowledge, tools, and emotional support they need to navigate the complexities of supporting their teen through DBT therapy, ultimately strengthening family relationships and promoting long-term healing and resilience. For more information on Lilac Center services visit https://www.lilaccenter.org

What are Family Support Groups?

Family support groups are structured gatherings designed to provide assistance, encouragement, and resources to individuals facing challenges within their families. These groups typically bring together people who share similar experiences, such as caring for a loved one with a mental health condition, addiction, or self harm behaviors. Led by trained facilitators or peers with lived experience, family support groups offer a safe and confidential environment where participants can share their struggles, emotions, and insights without fear of judgment. Through mutual support, education, and empowerment, family support groups aim to foster connection, reduce isolation, and provide practical tools and coping strategies for navigating the complexities of family dynamics and caregiving responsibilities. These groups offer a valuable source of empathy, validation, and hope to individuals and families facing challenging circumstances.

Family Support Groups for Adolescents

Family support groups for adolescents serve as a lifeline for both teens and their families navigating the often tumultuous journey of adolescence. These groups provide a supportive environment where parents and caregivers can come together to share their experiences, concerns, and strategies for supporting their teens' well-being. Led by skilled facilitators who understand the unique challenges of adolescence, these groups offer psychoeducation on topics such as effective communication, setting boundaries, and managing conflict within the family dynamic. Through peer support and shared experiences, families can gain valuable insights and practical tools for navigating the ups and downs of adolescence, ultimately fostering stronger family bonds and promoting the healthy development of their teens.

BPD Family Support Groups

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) family support groups offer invaluable assistance and guidance to parents and caregivers of adolescents undergoing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). These groups provide a safe and supportive space for families to share their experiences, challenges, and successes in supporting their teen's journey towards emotional well-being. Led by experienced therapists or facilitators trained in DBT principles, these groups offer psychoeducation on DBT concepts and skills, helping family members better understand their teen's struggles and how to effectively support them. Through mutual support and encouragement, families can learn practical strategies for implementing DBT skills at home, setting boundaries, and fostering healthy communication within the family unit. By participating in DBT family support groups, parents and caregivers can gain the knowledge, tools, and emotional support they need to navigate the complexities of supporting their teen through DBT therapy, ultimately strengthening family relationships and promoting long-term healing and resilience.

10 DBT Skills you will Learn in our Family Support Groups 

In our family support group, you'll gain insight into a variety of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills tailored to support both your teen and your family unit. You'll learn about mindfulness, helping you and your teen stay present and manage overwhelming emotions more effectively. We'll also delve into distress tolerance techniques, equipping you with strategies to navigate difficult moments with resilience and composure, fostering stronger family connections amidst challenges. Additionally, interpersonal effectiveness skills will empower you to communicate assertively, set boundaries, and foster healthier relationships within your family.

1. Mindfulness

Learn how to cultivate present-moment awareness, allowing you to observe thoughts and emotions without judgment. Practicing mindfulness helps you and your family members develop a greater sense of calm and clarity in navigating challenges together.

2. Emotion Regulation

Understand how to identify and manage intense emotions effectively, promoting emotional stability within the family unit. Emotion regulation skills teach you and your family members strategies for coping with difficult feelings in healthy and constructive ways.

3. Distress Tolerance 

Acquire techniques for tolerating distressing situations without resorting to harmful behaviors or reactions. These skills empower you and your family to navigate crises with resilience, maintaining composure and problem-solving effectively.

4. Interpersonal Effectiveness

Enhance your ability to communicate assertively, set boundaries, and navigate conflicts within the family dynamic. Interpersonal effectiveness skills equip you and your family with the tools to build stronger, more supportive relationships and resolve interpersonal challenges constructively.

5. Self-Soothing

Discover methods for self-soothing during moments of distress or emotional upheaval, promoting emotional regulation and well-being for both you and your family members. Self-soothing techniques provide comfort and stability in times of difficulty, fostering a sense of safety and security within the family.

6. Opposite Action

Learn how to act contrary to intense emotions or urges that may be harmful or counterproductive, promoting positive outcomes and healthier family interactions. Opposite action skills empower you and your family to break free from negative patterns and respond to situations in more constructive ways.

7. Checking the Facts

Develop the ability to challenge and reevaluate thoughts or beliefs that may be distorted or inaccurate, promoting more accurate perceptions and reduced conflict within the family. By checking the facts, you and your family members can cultivate a clearer understanding of each other's perspectives and experiences.

8. Problem-Solving

Acquire practical problem-solving skills to address family challenges and conflicts effectively. Problem-solving techniques help you and your family members collaborate to find solutions and navigate obstacles together, fostering a sense of empowerment and unity.

9. Radical Acceptance

Learn to fully acknowledge and accept reality, even when it's painful or difficult, promoting peace and understanding within the family. Radical acceptance skills help you and your family members let go of resistance and move forward with greater compassion and resilience.

10. Build Mastery

Discover the importance of setting and achieving goals to enhance self-esteem and confidence within the family. Building mastery skills empower you and your family to pursue activities and accomplishments that promote growth and well-being, strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Family Support Groups 

Choosing Lilac Center for DBT family support groups ensures access to expert-led sessions tailored to address the unique needs of families navigating challenging dynamics. Our center boasts a team of compassionate therapists with extensive experience in adolescent mental health and DBT principles. Through our family support groups, you'll find a supportive community where you can share experiences, gain valuable insights, and learn practical skills to strengthen family bonds and support your teen's emotional well-being. With a focus on empathy, education, and empowerment, Lilac Center provides a nurturing environment where families can thrive, fostering resilience and promoting healing for both teens and their loved ones. For more information visit https://www.lilaccenter.org/adolescent-dbt-program

Tony Tibbitts