This workbook is meant to be a guide for therapists who are conducting group skills training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). However, it is also a resource for clients -- the second half of the workbook is a series of handouts that lay out the various mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance skills that are taught in DBT.
The workbook is basically indispensable for therapists and clients engaged in DBT skills training. It is provides a comprehensive overview of the DBT skills, as well as handouts and exercises that demonstrate these skills. Importantly, because the first half of the book is written as a manual for therapists conducting group DBT skills training, it is not written for the lay public. A background in psychology is probably needed to really digest the first half of the workbook.
However, because the manual is a companion to actual group training, most clients will find that by following along with the exercises and handouts, the skills are made quite clear and easily understandable.
In summary, the workbook is an excellent resource for therapists and clients who are engaged in DBT group skills training. But, if you have BPD and are looking for a stand-alone self-help book that teaches DBT skills, this is probably not the one for you. Instead, try “The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation, & Distress Tolerance” by Matthew McKay, Jeffrey Wood, and Jeffrey Brantley (New Harbinger Publications, 2007).
