The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Group is for individuals clinically diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder or EUPD. It is first of its kind in India. In the first session, Ms. Arti will teach a DBT Skill and how to use it. In the second session, the skill shall be discussed, how it was used, what were the problem areas, how can one navigate the the problems, psycho education, how did it help, how can it be used in every day life etc.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy by Marsha Linehan is widely used in the West to treat clients with BPD. It is a skill based modality. In India, however very few therapists are trained in DBT. We were lucky to find Nyana who gave us the idea of DBT Skills Group and find Arti who is trained in DBT. It thus became our mission to provide services pan India so no one has to miss out on such an important aspect of healing. It is not group therapy, therapy, psychiatry but a skills group where skills will be taught. It is mandatory to have a Mental Health Professional, be diagnosed with BPD and be 18years or above to be eligible for the service.

The facilitators are Maheema Misra and Milana Prakash, both diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder with other comorbidities. They ensure the logistical planning, protocols etc. In this DBT Skills Group she will teach, deliver DBT Skills and maintain safety of the group apart from ensuring the protocols are in place.

Arti’s profile-
The mental health professional delivering and teaching these skills is Ms. Arti Shroff, psychologist specialized in Clinical Psychology. She is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy – an evidence and research based approach and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Arti works with individuals who experience a variety of psychological issues such as Anxiety, Depression, Mood and Personality disorders. She has conducted numerous workshops and talks for different organizations and is active in building awareness and eradicating the stigma on mental health issues through various outreach initiatives. She is an avid reader and writer who has authored numerous articles for various media portals such as Times of India, Mumbai Mirror, Free Press Journal, BBC India. Notes: The above information may change from time to time, and is shared with you to understand the background of where the support group comes from.

Our first DBT Skills Group session will be conducted this February 5, 2022 and we look forward to more fruitful, healing sessions.

DBT Skills Group for Individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder above 18 years of age undergoing treatment with a professional therapist and/ or psychiatrist.

We hope and believe that mental health is not a first world crisis. It is here and now in every aspect and sphere of our lives. It has hence become more important to provide access to services that are accessible, affordable and available with quality and precision. We hope that unlike us, who had to create a community, create support, people have that already established for them. We hope getting help for a diagnosis like BPD is not a hurricane o a task or traumatizing. We believe in transparency, inclusivity, strict support from external mental health professionals. What we essentially mean is we want to create an eco system of support where people can get support and the help they need when they need it.

Both Arti and Maheema are trained suicide first responders. However, we do not assume responsibility beyond the session. We can provide with external helplines that may offer support during crisis but we are not a diagnosis or therapy giving platform. We do not recommend people to professionals since it is mandatory in the first place to have a mental health professional to be a art of the DBT Skills Group.

While we are open to different conversations, we do not entertain abusive or derogatory language or breech of confidentially or any mandatory rules that a person fills during the intake.

Part A- As the session starts, we introduce Arti and open the floor for ice breaking moments. Arti then teaches the group a DBT Skill The floor is then open for any queries followed by body work or grounding. Part B- Everyone who attended the first session discussed with the moderators and MHP how they used the skill, where did difficulties or hiccups arise, what were the eureka moments, how did it help, how to navigate through problems in every day life. Closing with a song or a grounding technique.

The home rules are to show up for oneself first. \r
-We do not encourage and assume responsibility of any communication or relationship outside of the session. \r
-Confidentiality is of essence.\r
-Use of Trigger Warnings is important.\r
- If something difficult comes up for the individual, inform the MHP and take a breather or exit the group. \r
- You must reach out to a crisis helpline or your mental health professional or nearest hospital in case you are unsafe or in crisis. \r
- Do not advice or be containers of other individuals if you are not in the headspace.\r
- Having a therapist/ psychiatrist is mandatory.\r
- One must be 18 years or above of age.\r
- Use of derogatory or abusive language, intent or any action verbal or non verbal must be avoided.\r
-Empathy and support is of vital importance. \r
- This is not group therapy or therapy but a skills group where DBT Skills will be taught. \r
- In case of demise of any member due to any reason, one must respect the family’s wishes and needs and not share anything on social media. \r
- Promotion of any nature unless relevant to BPD or DBT is prohibited.

We hope that the participants can learnt DBT Skills that can help them in their life struggles with BPD especially like distress tolerance, radical acceptance, interpersonal relationships etc. We hope that this is a safe space for you and you make it for others as well.