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DBT Groups in Denver

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Learn Practical DBT Skills in a Supportive Group Setting

Living with intense emotions, impulsive reactions, or relationship struggles can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to face it alone. At Mountainside Behavioral Health, our DBT groups in Denver bring people together in a structured, supportive environment to learn the skills that make lasting change possible. Led by experienced, compassionate clinicians, our dialectical behavior therapy group programs help adults and teens develop practical tools for managing emotions, navigating stress, and building healthier connections — right here in Denver, Colorado.

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What Is a DBT Skills Group?

A DBT skills group is a core component of comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy. Unlike traditional talk therapy, where the focus is on processing personal experiences one-on-one, a DBT skills group functions more like a class. You learn specific, evidence-based strategies for coping with life’s challenges — and you practice them alongside others who understand what you’re going through.

DBT was originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidal ideation. Today, it’s widely recognized as one of the most effective therapeutic approaches for anyone struggling with emotion dysregulation, self-harm, anxiety, depression, trauma, and interpersonal difficulties. Research consistently shows that the group skills training component is essential to achieving the full benefits of DBT.

At Mountainside Behavioral Health, our DBT groups in Denver are led by clinicians who have trained extensively in DBT and understand the science — and the heart — behind this life-changing approach. As a female-owned practice rooted in the Denver community, we’re committed to creating group spaces where every participant feels seen, heard, and empowered.

What we do

The Four DBT Modules: Skills You’ll Learn in Group

Every DBT skills group near you at Mountainside cycles through four core modules. Each module builds on the last, giving you a comprehensive toolkit for emotional well-being and healthier relationships.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the foundation of DBT. In this module, you’ll learn how to stay present in the moment without judgment. Rather than being swept away by painful thoughts or reactive impulses, you’ll develop the ability to observe your inner experience with curiosity and compassion. Mindfulness skills help you slow down, make intentional choices, and respond to situations rather than simply reacting.

Distress Tolerance

Life brings crises — moments when the pain feels unbearable and the urge to escape is intense. Distress tolerance skills teach you how to survive those moments without making things worse. You’ll learn techniques like self-soothing, radical acceptance, and crisis survival strategies that help you ride the wave of intense emotion until it naturally subsides. These skills are especially valuable for anyone who has turned to self-harm, substance use, or other harmful coping patterns.

Emotion Regulation

When emotions feel too big, too fast, or too unpredictable, everyday life becomes exhausting. The emotion regulation module helps you understand what emotions are, why they happen, and how to influence them effectively. You’ll learn to identify and label your emotions, reduce emotional vulnerability through self-care habits, and shift unwanted emotional states using evidence-based strategies. Over time, you’ll build confidence in your ability to experience feelings without being controlled by them.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Relationships can be one of the most rewarding — and most challenging — parts of life. Interpersonal effectiveness skills teach you how to ask for what you need, set boundaries, and maintain self-respect in your interactions with others. Whether you struggle with people-pleasing, conflict avoidance, or explosive arguments, this module gives you concrete communication tools that strengthen your connections and protect your well-being.

Our DBT Group Programs in Denver

Our Adult DBT Skills Group is ideal for individuals ages 18 and older who want to develop stronger emotional coping skills in a collaborative, supportive setting.

  • Schedule: Tuesdays, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Duration: 6 months to 1 year (rolling enrollment)
  • Cost: $125 per session
  • Format: 2-hour sessions cycling through all four DBT modules

This group is designed for adults living with emotion dysregulation, anxiety, depression, BPD, trauma, relationship difficulties, or patterns of self-harm. Because the group runs on a rolling basis over six months to a year, you’ll have the opportunity to move through the full curriculum multiple times — reinforcing and deepening your skills with each cycle.

 

Teen DBT Skills Group (Multi-Family)

Our Teen DBT Skills Group is a multi-family skills group designed for adolescents and their caregivers. Teens and parents learn DBT skills together, strengthening the family system and building a shared language for navigating difficult emotions.

  • Schedule: Mondays, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Duration: 24 weeks
  • Cost: $150 per session
  • Format: 2-hour multi-family sessions covering all four DBT modules

This group is especially helpful for teens dealing with intense emotions, self-harm urges, anxiety, depression, ADHD-related emotional challenges, or conflict at home and school. By including parents and caregivers in the process, our teen-focused approach ensures that the skills learned in group carry over into everyday family life — creating a more supportive, connected home environment.

What to Expect in a DBT Skills Group at Mountainside

If you’re searching for a DBT skills group near you for the first time, it’s natural to have questions about what the experience will look like. Here’s what you can expect when you join one of our Denver DBT groups.

Before You Begin

Every new group member starts with a free consultation. During this initial conversation, one of our clinicians will learn about your goals, challenges, and history to make sure the group is the right fit for you. We want you to feel confident and prepared before your first session.

During Group Sessions

Each two-hour session follows a structured format. You’ll typically begin with a brief mindfulness exercise, then review homework from the previous week. Your group leader will introduce new skills through teaching, discussion, and practice exercises. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences (at your own comfort level), and practice skills in real time with support from both the facilitator and your fellow group members.

DBT groups at Mountainside are not process groups — the focus is on learning and practicing skills, not on sharing personal stories or processing trauma in a group setting. This makes the experience feel safe, focused, and empowering for participants who may not feel ready for traditional group therapy.

Between Sessions

Practice is an essential part of growth. Between sessions, you’ll complete skills practice assignments that help you apply what you’ve learned to real-life situations. These assignments are reviewed at the start of each group meeting, giving you personalized feedback and accountability to support your progress.

Who Are DBT Groups For?

Our DBT group therapy near Denver is designed for individuals who experience any of the following:

  • Intense or rapidly shifting emotions that feel difficult to manage
  • Chronic anxiety or depression that hasn’t responded fully to other treatments
  • Self-harm or suicidal ideation and a desire to build safer coping strategies
  • Borderline personality disorder (BPD) or traits associated with BPD
  • Relationship patterns marked by conflict, withdrawal, or instability
  • Trauma responses that disrupt daily functioning
  • Impulsive behaviors such as substance use, binge eating, or reckless decision-making
  • Difficulty setting boundaries or communicating needs in relationships
  • ADHD-related emotional dysregulation in teens and adults


You don’t need a specific diagnosis to benefit from a DBT skills group. If you find that your emotions often feel bigger than you can handle, or if the strategies you’ve been using aren’t working the way you’d hoped, DBT group therapy may be the structured support you’ve been looking for.

Begin Your Healing Journey with a DBT Group in Denver

Taking the first step toward change takes courage — and you deserve support that meets you with warmth, expertise, and understanding. At Mountainside Behavioral Health, our dialectical behavior therapy group programs in Denver are designed to help you build the skills you need to live a life that feels more balanced, connected, and empowered.

Whether you’re an adult looking for a supportive space to develop emotional resilience or a family seeking tools to help your teen thrive, our experienced team is here for you.

Request a Consultation to learn more about our DBT groups in Denver and find out which program is the right fit for you or your family. Your first consultation is free.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About DBT Groups in Denver

Do I need to be in individual therapy to join a DBT skills group?

While comprehensive DBT typically includes both individual therapy and a skills group, you do not need to be receiving individual therapy to participate in our DBT groups at Mountainside Behavioral Health. During your free consultation, we’ll discuss whether adding individual DBT therapy would enhance your progress and help you make the best decision for your needs.

How is a DBT skills group different from regular group therapy?

A DBT skills group is structured more like a class than a traditional therapy group. Rather than processing personal stories and emotions in an open-ended format, you’ll learn specific evidence-based skills — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — through teaching, discussion, and guided practice. This focused approach often feels more comfortable and less intimidating than other group formats.

Can my teen join the DBT group without a parent or caregiver?

Our Teen DBT Skills Group is a multi-family format, meaning a parent or caregiver participates alongside the teen. This design is intentional — research shows that when families learn DBT skills together, teens experience better outcomes and the home environment becomes more supportive. If you have questions about what participation involves, contact us to discuss.

What if I miss a session?

Life happens, and occasional absences are understandable. Because our Adult DBT Skills Group runs on a rolling basis over six months to a year, you’ll have the opportunity to cover any missed material in a future cycle. For the Teen DBT Skills Group, we recommend consistent attendance to stay aligned with the 24-week curriculum, but our team will work with you if conflicts arise.

Does insurance cover DBT group therapy?

Mountainside Behavioral Health is an out-of-network provider. We provide superbills after each session that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Many clients with out-of-network benefits receive partial reimbursement for DBT group sessions. During your consultation, we’re happy to help you understand your coverage options.

How do I know if a DBT group is right for me?

The best way to find out is to schedule a free consultation with our team. We’ll talk about what you’re experiencing, what you’re hoping to gain, and whether a DBT skills group — or another service at Mountainside — is the best starting point for your journey. There’s no pressure and no commitment required.

Ready to take the next step

Request a Consultation today and discover how DBT group therapy in Denver can help you build the life you want.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Group Therapy

Our groups are DBT skills groups — closer to a structured weekly class than to an open discussion group. Adults meet Tuesdays; the teen multi-family group meets Mondays.

What is group therapy?

Group therapy is treatment delivered to several clients at once by one or more clinicians. Formats vary widely: some are open-ended and process-focused, while skills groups like ours work through a defined curriculum week by week. Both are genuine treatment rather than a cheaper substitute for individual therapy. DBT groups in Denver.

How does group therapy work?

A group meets at a fixed time each week with the same members and facilitators. In a DBT skills group the session runs like a class: reviewing the practice everyone did that week, then teaching the next skill with examples and rehearsal. Ours run two hours. Confidentiality applies to everything said in the room.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

You learn from other people’s attempts as well as your own, which multiplies the practice you get. Being among people with similar struggles reduces the isolation that makes most conditions worse. Groups are also a live setting to practice interpersonal skills, and the per-session cost is lower — $125 for two hours in our adult group.

Is group therapy effective?

Yes. For several conditions group treatment produces outcomes comparable to individual therapy, and in DBT the skills group is not an optional extra — research consistently shows that pairing individual therapy with group skills training produces stronger, longer-lasting results for emotion dysregulation than individual work alone. See our treatment approach.

What happens in a DBT skills group?

The first half reviews the week’s skills practice — what you tried, what got in the way. The second teaches the next skill from whichever module the group is working through, with examples and rehearsal, and sets the practice for the coming week. It is structured teaching rather than open discussion of personal history. Group details.

Is group therapy or individual therapy better?

They do different jobs, which is why comprehensive DBT uses both. The group is where skills are taught and rehearsed with other people; individual sessions are where those skills get applied to your specific circumstances and where anything urgent is addressed. If you have to choose one, that decision depends on your situation — worth discussing at a free consultation.

Can I do both group and individual therapy?

Yes — and for DBT it is the standard arrangement. Comprehensive DBT pairs a weekly skills group with individual therapy, plus phone coaching between sessions. Many of our clients attend both in the same week. It is a real time commitment, which is worth planning for rather than discovering later. DBT at Mountainside.

How do I know if group therapy is right for me?

Skills groups suit people who want something concrete to learn and are willing to practice between sessions. Reluctance about speaking in front of others is common and is not a disqualification — in a skills group you are not required to disclose your history. If social anxiety is severe, it may be worth treating first. Social anxiety treatment.

What should I expect in my first group therapy session?

Introductions, an explanation of how the group runs and its confidentiality agreement, and then the ordinary business of the week — you are not asked to tell your story to the room. Most people feel awkward the first week and settle by the second or third. Your therapist will have prepared you beforehand.

Is group therapy confidential?

The facilitators are bound by the same legal confidentiality obligations as in individual therapy. Other members agree to confidentiality as a condition of joining, but that agreement is not legally enforceable in the way a clinician’s duty is — an honest distinction worth knowing. In practice, groups take it seriously. Share at a pace you are comfortable with.

How many people are in a therapy group?

DBT skills groups are deliberately kept small enough that everyone can review their practice within the session, which in most programs means well under a dozen members. Sizes vary term by term, so ask us for the current number when you enquire. Our adult and teen groups are both facilitated by two clinicians. Group details.

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