A service evaluation of a dialectical behavioural therapy-informed skills group for community mental health service users with complex emotional needs

A service evaluation conducted within Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) examined the effectiveness of a pilot group informed by Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills to treat adult service users with Complex Emotional Needs within Community Mental Health Teams. A mixed methods approach was used; (1) established quantitative questionnaires to measure symptom effect and (2) a qualitative survey to obtain service user feedback. Mixed results were found. Two of the six scales (‘blaming others’ & ‘general dysfunctional coping’) showed a statistically significant reduction. However, all other subscales showed no statistically significant improvement. Service user feedback indicated a generally positive experience – with ‘skills use’, ‘group impact’ and ‘facilitator approach’ being three apparent themes. Overall, the continuation of this intervention is likely to prove beneficial to its participants and the Trust. Limitations, clinical implications and future directions are also discussed.