DBT Friends and Family is a support group for individuals who have a loved one that is participating in DBT treatment.  We understand that the DBT concepts and skills are foreign to you and that your loved ones behaviors, thoughts, and/or feelings may be confusing.  We believe that you have a desire to help facilitate positive change.

The goal of DBT Friends and Family is two-fold:
1. We seek to support you and connect you with others who understand this stress
2. We seek teach you core DBT skills and concepts so that you can relate and help your loved one

This group is offered in both Anderson + Fairfield on a rotating basis. Ask the front office where the next class will meet

To sign up for the next meeting call the front office at 513-939-0300

​Target Population: Clients who have completed two cycles (one year) of Standard Dialectical
Behavioral Therapy skills class and are still struggling to find their life worth living -or- are seeking a greater understanding or practice of DBT skills and concepts of behavioral change.

Goals of DBT-ACES: Clients will push ahead with new goals to help them create a support network, acquire employment that is in line with their values and needs, experience their emotions and are able to demonstrate mastery of standard DBT skills. At completion of DBT-ACES, the client will be finished with standard weekly therapy or will seek a specific treatment (ie: exposure therapy). It is recognized that continuing with standard weekly therapy keeps the client dependent on the mental health system thus reinforcing their identity of mental illness.

Additional Requirements: The client will need to continue with an individual therapist and continue using a diary card. If the therapist is unfamiliar with the DBT-ACES protocol, an overview will be provided. As mentioned above, a goal is to reduce dependence on the mental health system; as time progresses the standard rules of phone coaching will change and frequency of appointments should decrease. The client must be free of suicidal and self-harming behavior for at least 3 months prior to beginning DBT-ACES.

For more information please contact the facilitator, Charity Chaney, at Compass Point Counseling Center (513) 939-0300

​When we are struggling, it can be hard to muster up the motivation, focus, and follow-through to secure the support we need. Add to this the fact that the mental health world can be daunting and difficult to navigate - even for seasoned mental health professionals - and the unfortunate consequence is that many people who want and would benefit from treatment end up going without. If you are in need of mental health support but are not sure where to start or are confused about the information you have already found, the following may be useful in guiding your next steps: 

Levels of mental health care

1. Outpatient - The majority of mental health treatment takes place in an outpatient setting. This means that sessions are held in an office or community setting on a fairly unintensive basis (weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, etc.), and that once each session is complete, clients are free to resume their activities as normal. Outpatient appointments generally last approximately one hour.
2. Intensive outpatient - Like outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient - or IOP - treatment allows clients the freedom to resume activities as normal following each session. The main difference is the frequency and duration of sessions. Intensive outpatient treatment typically takes place several days per week, and sessions last up to 2-3 hours.
3. Partial hospitalization - When a person’s treatment needs exceed what intensive outpatient can offer but do not require full hospitalization, partial hospitalization - or PHP - is an option. As the name implies, partial hospitalization usually takes place in a structured hospital setting. Partial hospitalization programs typically require anywhere from 4-8 hours of treatment per day (with breaks) 3-7 days per week, depending on the program and the level of care needed. Clients are permitted to return home at the end of each treatment day.
4. Inpatient - For those who are experiencing acute mental/emotional distress and who require close monitoring in order to ensure their safety and/or the safety of others, inpatient care may be selected as the appropriate level of treatment. Inpatient stays occur in a hospital or clinical setting and generally last anywhere from 24 hours to several months. Following an inpatient stay, clients may be referred to a partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or outpatient program for continued care.
5. Residential - As with inpatient treatment, residential treatment involves 24/7 participation by clients, meaning that they are present at the facility every day and overnight for the duration of their stay. In contrast to inpatient care, residential treatment typically takes place in more casual or “homey” quarters and may last up to 6 months or longer. Residential treatment facilities are a common choice among those in recovery from addiction or eating disorders.

 
If you are not sure which type of treatment or level of care is appropriate for you, an initial diagnostic assessment by a qualified mental health professional is a good place to start. The evaluating practitioner can use the information you provide during the assessment to determine areas of need and provide referrals accordingly. Here at Compass Point we offer a service called Care Connect which helps match you to the type and level of care that you need. 

Finding a Provider
 
So, you have a general idea of what is out there in terms of mental health treatment...but how do you access it? Here are some options:

1. Request a referral - Many primary care physicians have access to mental health resources.
2. Contact your insurance provider -  If you have health insurance, your insurance provider can help you find in-network practitioners. Keep in mind that many insurance companies will provide some coverage for services even if your preferred provider is out-of-network; should you opt for an out-of-network provider, it will be your responsibility to ask your insurance company about out-of-network benefits.
3. Ask around -  Your friends, family, and coworkers may have recommendations.
4. Search the internet -  A simple search - e.g., “outpatient therapist Cincinnati Anthem insurance” - can reveal numerous options. You may also be able to find reviews/testimonials for providers, which can be useful in selecting a good fit.
5. Come see us -  At Compass Point, we place high value on ensuring that each individual is connected with the appropriate type and level of treatment, and we have compiled a comprehensive list of resources in the Cincinnati area to ensure that this can be achieved in a smooth and efficient manner following intake/assessment.

 

Compass Point is now offering free weekly zen meditation. On Wednesday mornings from 10:00 am to 10:20 am.  We have a brief introduction to the style of meditation followed by a 15-20 minute meditation sitting practice. After, we spend a few minutes discussing the experience. A small amount of time that makes a big impact! Walk ins are welcome, however we recommend coming about 10 minutes before meditation starts.

Below is an article from Alyx Beresford on the benefits of practicing weekly zen meditation shared from her blog,  your mental restoration. 

Formal Zen meditation is the type that I practice and encourage my friends, family, clients, etc to practice also.  Notice I said practice…yes, sitting upright and still requires PRACTICE! The basic components are:
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1. Sit upright and still on meditation cushions (zafu and zabuton) with three points of contact with the floor to stabilize you.  This should be a comfortable position and should not cause straining.  For example, if you cannot get yourself into lotus position, don’t! It is encouraged that you find a position that you can hold for the duration of the meditation without discomfort.  Frequent shifting is discouraged, I recommend that you experiment with different positions in your first few weeks.
2. Clear your mind as best you can and focus on either nothing or your breathing.
3. Practice non-attachment when you notice your mind drifting (as it will) by gently bringing your attention back to your breathing. The reality is that your mind will wander and it will wander more when you are new to meditation and/or when your stress is higher.  We can acknowledge this without judging ourselves or the practice.  It is simple, not easy! Many people complain that they feel MORE anxious when they try to quiet their mind…which may be true because they have removed all of the distractions that they normally put between their feelings and their consciousness.  Ride that wave, calmness will follow. It reminds me of snorkeling in choppy water…the water is only choppy until you put your head under the water to see the reef below!
4. Length of meditation varies, the magic isn’t in the number of minutes; rather it is in the willingness to practice steps 1-3 over and over and over.  Meditation is a muscle that most of us forget we have, thus it is out of shape and needs to be worked consistently over time.
5. The benefits of sitting practice are innumerable.  Science finds that:
   
   

​You can really meditate whenever your want, where-ever you want, with whoever you want. I recommend group meditation in the beginning…think about how much you cognitively know about exercising and eating healthy vs what you actually do in your day-to-day life…? I find that group meditation holds you accountable and achieves better results just as group exercise does! Most major cities have group meditations or a zen center to provide this structure.

TAPS Care Groups provide emotional support and camaraderie for military survivors. Lasting relationships can be built on common threads. These local survivor support groups are encouraging and enlightening. Many find they learn new coping skills and stress-relieving strategies by talking to others who can relate.
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If there's not a TAPS Care Group in your area and you're interested in finding other local community support you can request a community resource report. If you're interested in starting a TAPS Care Group in your area, the first step is to become a TAPS Peer Mentor. For more information about a TAPS Care Group or becoming a peer mentor, please email info@taps.org or call us at 800-959-TAPS (8277).