Coaching Calls are a pivotal part of DBT. They are here as a support to the client between sessions that is to help them recognize patterns of behavior and ask for skills in a difficult time.
REVIEW WITH YOUR THERAPIST
COACHING CALL EXPECTATIONS
Coaching Calls Can ONLY BE USED if you are: Seeing Your Therapist Regularly (not missing appointments or canceling) 1. Engaged in DBT Skills Group 2. Phone coaching is available to help you practice skills between sessions. Please follow these expectations:
· Phone coaching is for the generalization of skills
· I cannot use phone coaching for 24 hours after I have engaged in SIB (Self Injurious Behavior) or TIB (Therapy Interfering Behaviors). I am expected to call before I act on urges.
· A phone coaching worksheet must be completed before the call.
· Phone coaching will focus on skills and not be therapy oriented.
· Phone coaching will be limited to 3-5 minutes.
· Not respecting the limits of phone coaching will be treated as a TIB (Therapy Interfering Behaviors).
· Phone coaching availability and limits are established and negotiated up front by therapist and clients.
BEFORE YOU CALL
PHONE COACHING WORKSHEET
Describe the problem or difficulty (Scale the Problem If needed 1-5):
Describe the skills you have already used:
Describe what specific skills you need help with:
Describe what other skills or supports you can use if your therapist is not immediately available:
Specific expectations:
The call will focus on skills and last no more then 5 minutes.
I will be willing to be coached and practice the specific skills.
I will be respectful of my therapist’s availability and limits.
I understand that I will be hospitalized if I am unclear about my safety issues.
AFTER THE COACHING CALL
✅ Make sure you are doing what the therapist asked for 15-30 Minutes and check in/ follow up , if they asked.
✅ Practice Self-Compassion – Growth takes time—be kind to yourself.
✅ Remember Coaching Call is a part of DBT, therefore using it appropriately is you doing the work.
✅ Track Your Progress – Make sure you are documenting this on your Diary Card.
✅Confirm with the front desk when your next appointment is. Some therapist can fit you in for a full session within 24hours.
✅ If things do Intensify, please call 911, or go to your nearest Emergency Room.
EXAMPLE OF A DBT COACHING CALL
Client: “I just got into a huge fight with my partner, and I feel like selfharming. I don’t know what to do.”
Therapist: “I hear that you ’ re feeling really overwhelmed and are having urges to self-harm. Before we talk about skills, have you already tried using any on your own?”
Client: “I tried distracting myself with TV, but it’s not working.”
Therapist: “Okay, distraction didn’t work. Let’s try distress tolerance skills. Can you grab an ice pack or run your hands under cold water for a few seconds?”
(Client follows through with the suggestion.)
Client: “Okay, I did it. I feel a little less panicked.”
Therapist: “Great! Now, let’s practice paced breathing. Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four, and breathe out for six.”
(Client practices breathing.)
Client: “That helped some. ”
Therapist: “Good. Now, what’s the next small step you can take to take care of yourself tonight?”
Client: “Maybe journal and then go to bed early.”
Therapist: “That sounds like a great plan. If things get worse, review your skills list and keep using distress tolerance. Reach out again if needed.”
CRISIS P XT LINES
My Therapist: My Group Therapist:
Compass Health Network Crisis Hotline – 888-237-4567
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – call 988 or text any message to 988
National Crisis Text Line – text HOME to 741741
StrongHearts Native Helpline – 844-7NATIVE (762-8483), a 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally-appropriate support and advocacy.
Trans Lifeline – 877-565-8860
The Trevor Project, LGBTQ Youth & Young Adults – 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
The Steve Fund – supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. Text STEVE to 741741 to access a culturally trained crisis text line counselor
Black Emotional + Mental Health Collective (BEAM) – 800-604-5841
Veterans Crisis Line – 800-273-8255 + press 1
Veterans Crisis Text Line – Text 838255
Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH), Multilingual, crisis support related to natural or human-caused disasters – 800-985-5990
NAMI HelpLine – 1-800-950-6264 or text HelpLine to 62640
List of hotlines that limit police intervention – These hotlines and warm lines can provide alternatives to police intervention and avoid using police in most cases. Ask all hotlines and warmlines about their policies before disclosing information that could lead to an involuntary intervention.
