Mahlie Jewell 
(M.AThR)

DBT art therapy skills program overview

The DBT art therapy skills program uses the concepts and framework of DBT, Art Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Intentional Peer Support. It is facilitated by Mahlie Jewell (M.AThR, M.ACA), a clinically qualified mental health professional who is also a trained peer worker with lived experience of complex mental health experiences and neurodiversity. 

It is conducted within a trauma and neuro/diversity informed framework and purposefully celebrates queer, First Nations and disabled/neurodiverse people as a social justice action.

The pilot DBT Art Therapy program was scientifically evaluated and professionally researched under ethics approval in 2021. The results and outcomes of the research pilot were independently evaluated, peer-reviewed and academically published international. To view the research article, you can use this free access link: https://bpded.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40479-022-00203-y

THE DBT ART THERAPY SKILLS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY ON BREAK.
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Art therapy

Art Therapy is a specialised form of healing that involves creating visual art. 

Art Therapy has proven to provide a helpful space and a useful tool for many people, including those who are non-verbal, experience extreme distress and emotional dysregulation and/or have experienced trauma. 

Art therapists believe that the making art and creative process itself is healing and are trained to facilitate the art making process, allowing the people they are working with to share what feels safe.

DBT therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was created by Marsha Linehan (2014) who is both a behavioural psychologist and a person
with her own lived experience. 

DBT looks at the challenges that people experience in life as a skills shortage and focuses on providing and  strengthening practical skills in four areas: Mindfulness, Distress tolerance, Emotional regulation, and Interpersonal effectiveness. 

DBT is a behaviour change therapy, it requires hard work and commitment to change. It is designed to become
embedded in our automatic systems over time and no one “gets it perfect the first time”.

The program

  • There are 4 standard DBT modules that are each 5 weeks long: Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Mindfulness and a bespoke module on Identity created by Mahlie
  • The program can be accessed as single module blocks: 5 weeks each or as an entire program (27 weeks)
  • 1 x 2hr online group session a week
  • Maximum participants are 10 per group
  • Cameras must be activated and on either the person or art making space
  • This is an inclusive and welcoming space – queer people, people of colour and culture, disabled and neurodiverse people are essential to our space and are welcome.

Fees

Fees are decided based on a sliding scale and using a "community access" model where those with the least resources are prioritised. This program is designed to service those falling through gaps in our underfunded systems. The program is covered by most NDIS plans.

Those with private health insurance are encouraged to access the resources available to them in other spaces in the first instance. 

The program can be financially accessed in the following  ways:

ONE MODULE (5 week block) payment plan  
ENTIRE PROGRAM (5 modules - 27 weeks) - one bulk payment 
NDIS Funding - full payment of program upfront - will be invoiced to NDIS plan providers as needed. 

The maximum payment for this program is $2,000

Standard fees for DBT programs in the community average around $3000 for approx. 12 weeks of treatment.

Program Outline

May be subject to change

Module 1: Distress Tolerance

Skills you'll learn during this module:
  • Windows of tolerance
  • Wise mind
  • ACCEPTS, STOP, IMPROVE
  • Opposite action
  • WHAT and HOW
Week 1 – What is DBT? meeting the group, intro to distress tolerance: Window of tolerance
Week 2 – Wise mind, repetitive line and self-care starters
Week 3 – Continuous line and zentangle
Week 4 – Why try? and "Dear future me..."
Week 5
 – Multi-modal drawing and self soothe kit

Module 2: Emotional regulation

Skills you'll learn during this module:
  • Wise mind
  • ACCEPTS, IMPROVE
  • Turning the mind
  • ABC
  • PLEASE
Week 1 – Intro into emotional regulation: Creating emotions and colour conversations
Week 2 – Cope ahead and strategies to survive
Week 3 – Externalising emotional overwhelm
Week 4 – Hidden emotions and turning the mind
Week 5
 – Chain analysis

Module 3: Identity

Skills you'll learn during this module:
  • Wise mind
  • Check the facts
  • GIVE, FAST
  • Externalisation
  • Single story
  • Witnessing
Week 1 – Intro to identity and self-stigma: Values
Week 2 – Reclaiming invalidation
Week 3 – Flipping the script
Week 4 – Understanding anger
Week 5
 – The self-frame

Module 4: Interpersonal skills

Skills you'll learn during this module:
  • Wise mind
  • Check the facts
  • GIVE, FAST
  • THINK, DEARMAN
Week 1 – Intro to interpersonal effectiveness: Circles of control and influence
Week 2 – The story of us
Week 3 – What connects us
Week 4 – Communication guide
Week 5
 – Circles of support

Module 5: Mindfulness

Skills you'll learn during this module:
  • Wise mind - doing/being
  • STOP, ACCEPTS
  • Opposite action
  • WHAT and HOW
Week 1 – Intro to mindfulness: Tracking mindfulness and right here, right now
Week 2 – Connecting to Country
Week 3 – In front of me
Week 4 – Positive memory bank
Week 5
 – Tracking mindfulness and right here, right now
Ending session 1
 – The growing tree (of life)
Ending session 2
 – Reflection
Please note: DBT is a skills-based therapy that has acronyms and concepts at its core. These specific acronymic skills will be made available to you in your skills colouring booklet and discussed broadly in group. This program is not a replacement for traditional DBT nor aims to include all information within the DBT skills manual. Videos and resources that explain them deeper will be provided out of session via email.

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Mahlie Jewell is registered and regulated by the following: ANZACATA (membership number: 49852078) / Australian Counselling Association (membership number: 20333), NSW Working with Children Check (number: WWC1906452E, exp: 19/05/26). Insured by BMS risk solutions.
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