Welcome and thank you for helping peers improve their lives. Below you will find news and resources for Support Group Facilitators.
DBSA Facilitator Training
Whether you are a new or an experienced DBSA facilitator, raise your facilitation skills up to the next level by attending one of DBSA’s free, interactive Virtual Facilitator Training opportunities. Please note that these training sessions are intended for peers who are working with a DBSA chapter or DBSA support group.
Please note: Confirmation emails, pre-read materials, and Zoom link information will come from Smartsheet’s. Please save Smartsheet Automation automation@app.smartsheet.com as a contact so you do not miss out on important training emails.
Basic Support Group Facilitator Training
Taught by experienced support group facilitators, this 8-hour introductory training class includes 2 to 3 separate sessions featuring lecture, question and answer segments and mock facilitator practice. Participants must attend all sessions of this training to receive a certificate of participation. To attend, you must be endorsed or referred by one of your chapter leaders.
Once registered, you will receive one of two emails from Smartsheet Automation automation@app.smartsheet.com. If you are confirmed for registration, you will get a confirmation email. If you are waitlisted, you will receive an email letting you know. Please check your spam if you are not seeing your email.
For those who receive a confirmation email, we will reach out two weeks prior to the training date to have you reconfirm your attendance. If you do not confirm by the deadline, your spot will be released to someone on the waitlist.
Lastly, one week prior to the training we will send the Zoom link, pre-read materials, and information on who to contact if you are having issues signing on the day of the training. Please email chapters@dbsalliance.org if you have any questions about the registration process.
August 9 & 10, 2025 from 11 AM -3 PM PT| 12-4 PM MT | 1-5 PM CT | 2-6 PM ET
2025 Schedule:
- November TBA
Facilitator Think Tank
Bring a question or topic for discussion at a one-hour Think Tank with other DBSA support group facilitators or join in and share your thoughts on other peoples’ topics & questions! Registrations that are received on the day of the session may not be processed and therefore, you may be unable to join. We ask that you register at least one day in advance.
July 10, 2025 at 4 PM PT| 5 PM MT | 6 PM CT | 7 PM ET
Chapter Think Tank
Bring a question or topic for discussion at a one-hour Think Tank with other DBSA chapter leaders or join in and share your thoughts on other peoples’ topics & questions! Registrations that are received on the day of the session may not be processed and therefore, you may be unable to join. We ask that you register at least one day in advance.
August 14, 2025 at 4 PM PT | 5 PM MT | 6 PM CT | 7 PM ET
Next Level Thinking
Bring your facilitation skills to the next level by joining a 90-minute Next Level Thinking Session hosted by experienced Support Group Facilitator Trainers. Offered quarterly, session topics rotate based on feedback we get from our facilitators during training and Think Tank’s. Any upcoming session details will be posted belo. We invite you to join us and share the session information with your fellow facilitators.
Q3 NLT: Topic TBA
Details TBD
DBSA’s DEI Toolkit
March 21, 2022 Presentation Slides
The DBSA DEI Toolkit made possible through the support of the Alkermes Inspiration Grant
Training Resources
We suggest that DBSA Support Group facilitators be familiar with and follow the DBSA Support Group model as outlined in the DBSA Support Group Facilitation Guide.
Meeting Resources
- We Need Facilitators
- Sample Flyer and Publicity Tips
- Meeting Sign-In Sheet (Optional)
- DBSA Support Group Participant Feedback Survey
Welcoming New Participants
A welcome kit can be an important tool for your support group. It provides information about your group to new peers and also carefully explains what a peer can expect from a support group meeting. Starting a relationship with a strong welcome can increase support group participation and retention. The following are templates and samples that you may wish to include in your support group’s welcome kit:
Preparing for Challenges
- Facilitator Case Studies-Sticky Situations
- Understanding Agitation
- DBSA Chapter Conflict Management Guide Sample
- Disruptive Participant Policy Sample
Community Outreach
DBSA support groups may choose to perform community outreach by offering educational programming, focusing on specific communities within the local community. The following are resources support groups may use to help in outreach and member recruitment activities:
