A Grounded Theory Study on the Experience of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training Group Counseling

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences and changes of participants in a Dialectical Behavior Therapy(DBT) skills training group counseling. Methods To do this, a 12-week DBT skills training group counseling was conducted for 11 graduate students, and data from participant reflections recording data and reports were collected for each session, and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. The open coding, axis coding, process analysis and selective coding was conducted. Results The analysis resulted in a total of 154 concepts, 43 subcategories, and 19 categories. The central phe-nomena that emerged were ‘self-awareness and hope’ and ‘will for growth,’ while causal conditions included ‘emotional difficulties,’ ‘cognitive difficulties,’ ‘behavioral difficulties,’ and ‘self-identity difficulties.’ Contextual conditions encompassed ‘hesitancy about group participation,’ ‘confronting one's own inadequacies,’ and ‘difficulties in applying the skills.’ Mediating conditions included ‘group cohesion’ and ‘positive interactions within the group.’ Action/interaction strategies involved ‘opening the heart’ and ‘trying,’ and the outcomes included ‘e-motional change,’ ‘cognitive change,’ ‘behavioral change,’ ‘self-identity change,’ and ‘interpersonal relationship change.’ Process analysis revealed the stages of DBT skills training group counseling as ‘facing pain and in-adequacy,’ ‘willingness for change,’ ‘self-disclosure and mutual encouragement,’ ‘effort,’ and ‘growth and change.’ Conclusions The study confirmed the group counseling experience and positive changes of the DBT skills training group counseling participants.