Wise Mind Recovery Skills
DBT Recovery Skills Group
Do urges feel overwhelming, repetitive, or hard to manage once they appear?
Do you find yourself returning to patterns you want to change, despite insight or strong intentions?
Wise Mind Recovery Skills Course is a structured six week Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills group focused on helping adults reduce substance use and build steadier, more skilful responses to urges and cravings.
Wise Mind Recovery Skills is a focused, evidence based DBT program designed to support people who want to change their relationship with substances. The group centres on practical skill development rather than blame, shame, or willpower alone. It is facilitated by experienced DBT therapists in a supportive, non-judgemental environment.
The program draws on the DBT model for substance use, which recognises that urges are influenced by emotions, habits, environments, and reinforcement patterns.
Change is supported through clear goals, structured skills, and realistic planning rather than perfection.
Who the group is for.
This group is for adults who experience ongoing urges to use substances and want practical tools to reduce use or maintain abstinence. It may be helpful for people who notice cycles of stopping and starting, strong cravings during stress, or difficulty returning to their goals after a lapse.
The group is suitable for individuals who are currently engaged in therapy as well as those attending as a standalone skills program. Previous DBT experience is helpful but not required.
What you will learn.
Across six weeks, the program provides a clear and practical set of DBT skills specifically designed for working with substance use in everyday life.
In the first week, participants are introduced to Dialectical Abstinence. This skill supports a clear commitment to change while also planning for setbacks in a way that reduces shame and escalation.
Week two focuses on understanding different states of mind related to substance use. Participants learn to recognise early warning signs and protect periods of stability before urges intensify.
Week three focuses on changing environments and routines that make substance use more likely. Participants learn how to reduce exposure to
triggers
while actively building
supportive alternatives.
In week four, the focus shifts to reinforcement. Participants learn how to make substance free choices more rewarding by increasing access to pleasure, connection, and meaning.
Week five focuses on Coping Ahead for high risk situations. Participants practise planning and rehearsing skilful responses to predictable challenges.
The final week brings the skills together, focusing on responding effectively after a lapse, reducing self criticism, and recommitting to goals with clarity and support.
Benefits you can expect.
By the end of the program, participants often report feeling more confident managing urges, clearer about their patterns, and better equipped to respond without spiralling into self blame or giving up. Many people notice fewer lapses, quicker recovery after setbacks, and a stronger sense of control in high risk situations.
Participants leave with a practical set of DBT skills that can be applied immediately and adapted over time to support ongoing change and stability.
Mindfulness
This module focuses on cultivating present-moment awareness without judgment. Mindfulness skills are essential for individuals to observe and describe their experiences, fostering a non-reactive and centred approach to life.
Distress Tolerance
Individuals learn skills to navigate and tolerate distressing situations without resorting to impulsive or destructive behaviours. This module equips individuals with effective coping mechanisms during crises.
Emotional Regulation
Targeting the core of emotional dysregulation, this module teaches individuals to identify, understand, and manage their emotions in a healthy manner. Emotion regulation skills empower individuals to break free from the cycle of emotional chaos.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
This module enhances individuals' ability to navigate and improve interpersonal relationships. It provides skills for effective communication, assertiveness, and conflict resolution, promoting healthier connections with others.
