Communicate with Confidence

A DBT-based interpersonal effectiveness group for teens with ADHD, led by Jessica Gutierrez, MA, LMFT

When:

Stay tuned for future class dates.

Where:

Online via Zoom

Who:

High school students with ADHD

Cost:

$360 for 8 sessions

About the Group

This 8-week therapeutic support group focused on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Interpersonal Effectiveness! This group is designed to provide participants with valuable tools and skills to enhance their relationships and communication abilities.

  • Week 1: Let's Get Started with DBT and Interpersonal Effectiveness!
    In this session, participants will be introduced to the concept of DBT and Interpersonal Effectiveness skills. They will learn how these skills can help them build better relationships and communicate more effectively with others.

  • Week 2: Get Ready to DEAR MAN Your Way to Success!
    DEAR MAN, a powerful communication tool, will be introduced. Participants will learn how to express their needs and wants while maintaining healthy relationships with others. This skill will empower them to assertively communicate and negotiate effectively.

  • Week 3: Give It Up for GIVE!
    The group will explore the GIVE acronym, another valuable tool for building empathy and understanding in relationships. Participants will learn techniques to validate others, act interested, and use an easy manner to enhance their interactions and connections.

  • Week 4: Get FAST Results with Conflict Resolution!
    Participants will discover the FAST skill, which stands for Fair, Apologies, Stick to Values, and Truthful. This skill will enable them to navigate conflicts and resolve issues while still maintaining healthy and positive relationships with others.

  • Week 5: Mindfulness - Be Present, Be Peaceful
    The importance of mindfulness for regulating emotions and improving communication will be discussed. Participants will engage in mindfulness exercises to practice being present and non-judgmental in various situations, enhancing their overall emotional well-being.

  • Week 6: Keep Calm and Tolerate Distress
    Distress tolerance skills will be explored to help participants navigate difficult emotions and challenging situations without exacerbating them. These skills will equip them with effective strategies to manage distress and maintain healthy relationships.

  • Week 7: Embrace Radical Acceptance
    The concept of radical acceptance will be introduced as a powerful tool for accepting difficult realities and situations without judgment or resistance. Participants will learn how radical acceptance can lead to greater emotional well-being and improved relationships.

  • Week 8: Wrapping Up and Looking Forward
    In the final week, all the DBT interpersonal effectiveness skills will be reviewed, allowing participants to reinforce their learning and understanding. They will also discuss the progress they have made throughout the group and explore ways to continue using these skills in their daily lives moving forward.

Throughout the 8 weeks, participants will engage in group discussions, practice new skills through interactive exercises, and receive support from both facilitators and peers. This group aims to empower individuals to build healthier relationships, enhance their communication skills, and achieve greater emotional well-being.

Resources and references from these books:
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation & Distress Tolerance" by Matthew McKay, Jeffrey C. Wood, and Jeffrey Brantley
  • "DBT® Skills Manual for Adolescents" by Jill H. Rathus and Alec L. Mille

    • REGISTRATION FOR THIS GROUP IS NOW CLOSED.

     

    Jessica Gutierrez, MA, LMFT

    About Jessica

    Jessica Gutierrez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an ADHD Certified Clinical Service Provider. She has extensive experience gained from years of offering psychotherapy and executive function coaching using evidence-based practices.

    Jessica grew up in the Bay Area, where she attended college. She has her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration on Children, Marriage, and Family Therapy from Palo Alto University; and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy with a Minor in Psychology from San Jose State University. She is also a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional and Certified Mindfulness Informed Professional.

    Jessica aims to teach clients how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with distress, regulate emotions, improve relationships with others, and overall strengthen executive function skills. She helps her clients understand the nature of their challenges, find lasting solutions, and adopt effective coping mechanisms. She has worked with a broad range of clients, including adolescents, college students, adults, and families in different settings; schools, community mental health agencies, private practice settings, and inpatient facilities. In addition to supporting individuals struggling with ADHD, she has experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, LGBTQ+, learning differences, self-esteem struggles, relationship concerns, and work and academic-related stressors