Submitted by Charlay Yates MT-BC “When you think in extremes, you often don’t get an accurate view of the world, which complicates decision-making. Finding the middle path will help you manage those wonderfully intense emotions and also not allow them to impair you in making effective decisions and choices.  Why is it effective to find the […]

Submitted by Lindsey Landeck MT-BC Use tone chimes in a pentatonic scale. (Use these  5 notes from a scale: 12456)  Have group members sit in a circle.  Give each person one of those 5 notes.   Each person has one tone chime. Give the following instructions:  Each person will play their tone chime one time.  But […]

This was submitted by Wan-Fang Hung At the beginning of experiencing mindfulness, Therapist will give a short verbal instruction of the processes that will include: Taking a Breath, Notice Surrounding, Body Check, Label and Rate Emotion, Notice Thoughts, Notice Urges. In order to make a space calm and comfortable, Therapist. will lead an experience of 10 […]

submitted by Alexandra Bricklin MT-BC (created while studying the Skills System Instructor’s Guide by Julie Brown) Step 1: Notice Breath: Use an accordion to exaggerate fast uncontrolled breathing moving to slow controlled breathing. Step 2: Notice surroundings – Teach adapted version of Elvis Presley’s “ Stop Look and Listen” to affirm the process of remembering to […]

by Ami Kunimura, MT-BC Music as a metaphor for life is a common thread in my work as a music therapist. Though I implement this practice with my clients to nurture their growth, I recently had the opportunity to cultivate this concept outside of the clinical setting. This past September, I was invited to lead […]

submitted by Stephan Baker MT-BC studying the book by Julie Brown Mindfulness and Self Awareness The therapist begins the group with a mindfulness/breathing exercise in order to create an environment of self-exploration. During the exercise the therapist may choose to play soothing music. “We are going to begin by fostering our self-awareness.  Each one of […]

This list of Songs was compiled by Emily Spears, MSCP TLLP with suggestions from many DBT Therapists.  The following list contains the name of the song,  DBT skills reinforced, and the YouTube link so you can listen. There are many ways to use songs to reinforce DBT skills.   How do you use them? Brave by […]

submitted by Christina Grandoni-Barlow Mindfulness Activity (for group) Noticing subtle versus not-so-subtle tempo changes. Have clients choose instruments (one drum, one rhythm, one melodic etc.) as if they are forming a ‘band’. Explain that you are going to play a tempo for them to follow (on either a tone bell, triangle, or other instrument with a […]

by Deborah Spiegel MT-BC I was recently reminded of this movement led music experience I first experienced at a music camp years ago. Choose a leader.    First she tells the group to choose an instrument.  Instruments consist of drums and various percussion instruments. She instructs the drummers to only play when she moves her right […]

Observe and Describe Emotions by Courtney Elder MT-BC and Deborah Spiegel MT-BC To reinforce and teach awareness of emotions, use a glockenspiel. Label the lowest note with the number 0 and continue to label each consecutive note with numbers moving higher with each note.  (i.e. draw on a piece of tape and affix it to the […]

Mindfulness of Urges Activity by Christina L. Grandoni MT-BC Bring the ocean drum to the group and explain that it will be passed around. While waiting their turn, encourage each client to notice any off-track urges they may have. (urges to grab the drum, or urges to tell the person playing how they should play, […]