DBT or other therapy help?

I know DBT is used alot with BPD people, and I suppose it must have a lot of success. I have done some DBT based exercises in the past, but never a full skills group or long term DBT based therapy focus. I really hate groups, and that seems to be the more common way to go through DBT.
Has anyone been able to explore or complete a long term DBT focused therapy on an individual basis? I know there are technically DBT trained professionals, but do you think I could try to ask my tdoc about trying some DBT stuff?
My problem so far has been that I did not take it seriously, but maybe if I were committed to a longer term process I might get into it more?
Really all I want to know is if anyone out there did thorough DBT therapy and improved and can really attribute their improvement to DBT?
Are there any online tools someone might recommend?

if you're not into the groups (neither am I), check out Amazon.com for a DBT workbook. it seems extremely basic at first, but it actually really helps me. I like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Dialecti...

I'd also recommend daily meditation - even if for 10-20 minutes. I do it every morning when I wake up and it sort of makes me live my day more purposefully and be more aware. Just treat it like brushing your teeth - you would never say "I don't have time to brush my teeth" - if it's a priority, you'll wake up 10mins earlier to fit it in.

Also, a really big indicator for me that I need to work on this stuff is when I feel like lying about really stupid stuff just to create an image of myself to someone. Like lying about stuff that doesn't matter. If my husband asks me what I had for lunch, for example, I tell him I had a salad instead of admitting I had a bag of peanut M&Ms and some chips from the vending machine at work. That's a cue for me to meditate, think of what lies ahead of me, focusing on the tasks at hand, being realistic, etc.

sorry for the rant, hope that helps somewhat.

I can not say enough good things about DBT. I did not think I would ever do a Group based therapy but I did because I felt it was my only hope - my last ditch effort at a life worth living. And I am so happy that I did. You don't have to share your personal experiences at all. In fact, I believe that might be discouraged in case it triggered someone. But you are allowed to share some day to day things that happen if you wish. The group I was in anyway, allowed us to talk a bit if we wanted to but we definitely didn't have to. It's all about the skills, as it sounds like you already know.

I took my DBT class twice, as most do. The first 6 months are to learn and become familiar with the skills. You go through all the modules of the program at that time. (at least where I live, and I think it must be the same universally) And the second 6 months is to 'use' the skills and practice with them everyday while still having a feedback and support on issues that crop up. It's a great way to really cement the skills into your everyday life.

I had a break between my first and last 6 months, mind you. About 3 years. I had to discontinue the program because of work, the first time around. My life got much worse because of external events (my dad dying, my love leaving me, having my life threatened and abused badly by someone I'd just started dating) and I ended up off work, in the hospital and then, finally able to take the program again.

But the funny thing I realized the second time around -- I had a lot of the skills already down pat. I mean, we all could use some reminders to stop and listen and instead of arguing our own point sometimes, but that's another reason the program is great. That second time around is very important, even though I remembered some of the skills and didn't even realize it - I still gained so, so much from the program and found more things I can use in my everyday life that make things SO much easier. As long as I remember to practice the stuff I've learned.

All that 'Group' stuff being said, my therapist, whom I've been with for 4 years is a trained DBT therapist as well (in fact, I met him when I started my group) so there are 'some' therapists who would know what they are doing with DBT (I find there are some that don't know much about it as well). He and I do 10 - 20 minutes of 'Mindfulness' during each of my therapy sessions, which is a huge part of DBT. He also helps me with the skills when something comes up in my life that I want his help on. For instance he'll help me decide what skill I could perhaps use to help deal with it. And it's a great help. I

I don't think you would reap the benefits of DBT by asking your therapist to just do some stuff with you. It's just not designed that way. It takes much longer and it's much more involved with things you need to do during the week to practice what you've learned.

Anyway, I'm sorry, I've written a whole lot here but I'm really passionate about just how helpful this can be if you work it. And, I'm very tired (and don't feel like proof reading which goes against my personal rule :-) ) and was about to go to bed but this is my first time over here on this board and when I saw your hesitation about DBT, I had to say something.

I really hope you just take a chance on the Group. Try a couple times - more than just the first day. It's truly worth it. I still have all my skills all these years later and I automatically use them now. I am a much better person to be around because of DBT. I still have problems but they aren't because of my BPD. In fact, there are times, I wonder if I still qualify as having it now.

Good luck!