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Initial Skills System Training

Adult (18 years +)

What is the Skills System?

The Skills System was authored by Julie Brown and is based upon the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy which has been found to be effective for persons with dual diagnosis. The Skills System is an adaptive coping skills curriculum that helps individuals with learning challenges to improve emotional, cognitive, and behavioral regulation skills. This group is for people who are dually diagnosed (both with a developmental disability and a mental health diagnosis).

Who should attend this group?

This group is designed for individuals who are dually diagnosed (both with a developmental disability and a mental health diagnosis) and have experienced behavioral difficulties. People who would benefit from this group may have angry outburst, relationship problems, depression, anxiety, difficulty controlling impulses, and low frustration tolerance. People who may also benefit from this group may have a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder or exhibit Borderline Personality traits. All participants must have an open and active case at the San Diego Regional Center.

What is the time commitment to this group?

The Skills System Group meets once a week for one hour. Best results from this group are found after one year of participation and all participants must make a commitment to attend for a year. In addition, each participant must have a designated support person who is willing to be an emergency contact, provide emergency transportation (if needed), and attend monthly psycho-educational groups.

Click for Support Person Group Information and Dates

When are the groups being held?

The Skills System Groups are held weekly on Tuesday and Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Participants will be assigned to one group (either Tuesday or Thursday) based on available space.

Where do the groups meet?

There are being held at three locations.

Normal Heights: The Center for Personal Growth, Inc. located in the Normal Heights area of San Diego near the corner of 30th Street and Adams Avenue.

National City: 124 E. 30th Street. Suite A1. National City, Near Highway 5 and National City Blvd (mile of cars)

Vista: 550 West Vista Way, Suite 109. Vista, CA 92083

What is the group size?

The group size is four to ten participants per group. If a group is full, participants can be added to a waiting list or another group may be created.

Is individual Skills System training available?

Those participants who are enrolled in the Skills System Group may also be eligible to receive individual Skills System training.

How much does this group cost?

This group is funded through the San Diego Regional Center. Participants who are interested in joining this group should contact their San Diego Regional Center Service Coordinator.

How do I enroll in this group?

A Skills System Initial Screening form needs to be completed and submitted to the Center for Personal Growth, Inc. for each group participant. This form is available for downloaded (in Microsoft word and/or PDF formats) at the bottom of this webpage. You can submit this form to the Center for Personal Growth, Inc. by mail or fax (the address and fax number are listed at the top of the screening form). It is strongly suggested you also contact your San Diego Regional Center Service Coordinator and tell him/her you would like to participate in this service. If the planning team agrees that you could benefit from this service, please ask them to request authorization for this group. You can not be screened for, enrolled in, or attend this group until this authorization is received by the Center for Personal Growth, Inc.. Once this authorization is received by the Center for Personal Growth, Inc., you will be contacted to schedule an appointment to be screened for this group.

What happens after I graduate the program?

The Skills System program offers a monthly Skills System Alumni Group for those participants who have graduated the program. Click here for more information.

Skills System Alumni Group

For more information regarding the Skills System, visit: www.skillssystem.com.

Please Note: This group would not be ideally suited for individuals with a history of unsafe behaviors in the community. However, every referral will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the Center for Personal Growth, Inc. For more information regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria, download the Skills System Initial Referral Form found on this webpage.