SAGE Progressions: Individual Therapy and Skill Generalization Groups
SAGE Progressions helps young adults launch into their lives with active practice to strengthen and apply skills across domains of emotion regulation and executive functioning.
What is SAGE Progressions?
SAGE Progressions is a program for young adults ages 18-30 consisting of three separate skills groups, a DBT group, a CBT group, and an Executive Functioning group. Each group focuses on applying skills in distinct domains of functioning relevant to emerging adulthood. In program, young adults work directly to break patterns and change behaviors keeping them stuck. Each group meets once per week for ten weeks. Patients may participate in all three groups, simultaneously or in succession, or may participate in just one or two depending on their goals.
Most patients participate in SAGE Progressions after completing the 6-week SAGE Foundations DBT course, where patients learn a foundation of emotion regulation skills to set them up for success. However, young adults who have completed prior DBT skills training, do not need DBT skills training, or need only executive functioning support may join the Progressions program without completing SAGE Foundations.
The SAGE Progressions DBT Group:
SAGE Progressions DBT is a graduate DBT skills group in which participants deepen their understanding of skills learned in SAGE Foundations or a prior DBT skills group to improve retention and application. Participants also learn advanced DBT skills. Emphasis is given to how participants can intentionally utilize these new skills to overcome challenges in all aspects of their lives. Each group also includes dedicated time for peer consultation about relevant issues in young adulthood, and peers support one another in considering how they can skillfully navigate their challenges. Group meets Tuesdays from 10:00am-12:00pm for 10 weeks.
The SAGE Progressions CBT Group:
SAGE Progressions CBT is a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy group in which participants learn to manage uncomfortable emotions and challenge unhelpful thinking styles that lead to avoidance or withdrawal. Participants will learn about their emotional and behavioral avoidance patterns and will practice gradual, in-session engagement with avoided tasks to overcome blocks, reduce overall distress, and tolerate discomfort so they can gain independence and take steps toward their long-term goals. Practice tasks are individualized to each group member’s particular challenges, and group members support one another in completing these activities. Group meets Wednesdays from 10:00am-12:00pm for 10 weeks.
The SAGE Progressions Executive Functioning Group:
SAGE Progressions EF is an executive functioning skills group designed to improve young adults’ effective goal-setting, planning, prioritizing, task initiation, task completion, and follow through. Participants learn and directly practice these executive functioning skills in group and for homework. Participants set specific and measurable personal goals for their current lives and receive EF skills coaching to achieve them within a supportive peer environment. Group also covers special topics relevant to executive functioning in emerging adulthood, such as the basics of financial planning. Group meets Thursdays from 10:00am-12:00pm for 10 weeks.
SAGE Progressions FAQs:
When does the group meet?
The program encompasses three separate groups that each meet once per week for ten weeks: SAGE Progressions DBT on Tuesdays, SAGE Progressions CBT on Wednesdays, and SAGE Progressions EF on Thursdays. All groups meet 10:00am-12:00pm on their respective days. Participants can enroll in all three groups and therefore attend programming Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, or can enroll only in the groups that fit their needs and attend only as scheduled.
Where does the group meet?
While SAGE Progressions groups all meet physically in our White Plains office, all groups are equipped for hybrid in-person and virtual participation. Clients may participate in groups fully remotely if clinically appropriate, or may participate some days in-person and some days via telehealth. Individual SAGE therapists are located in the White Plains and New York City offices for weekly individual appointments. The White Plains offices is accessible via Metro North for clients living in NYC and the greater Westchester area.
Who can benefit from this program?
SAGE programs are designed for people who are between the ages of 18 and 30, generally high school graduates, who have a primary mood and/or anxiety disorder diagnosis. Progressions members may have a number of challenges across emotion regulation, executive functioning, and avoidance that make it challenging for them to take steps forward in their lives. Although things may be difficult, Progressions members are generally in a place where they are ready to make changes and directly apply skills. SAGE Progressions program participants may experience suicidal ideation and/or engage in self-injurious behaviors, but have no intent to commit suicide and are willing to seek assistance during times of stress.
When can new members join?
Admission is rolling, with entry points each week. Members can join all three Progressions groups at once, or may join one or two at a time depending on their needs, schedules, and what they want to focus on. Participants do not need to complete a Progressions group that does not fit their needs or goals.
Do you need to be in individual therapy while in this program?
Yes. If you are participating in the SAGE Progressions DBT group, the individual therapist must provide adherent DBT therapy, including 24-hour phone coaching. CBC can provide you with an individual therapist or refer you to individual therapists who provide adherent, 24-hour DBT in the community. If you have a DBT therapist, we can speak with them to see if they are able to provide the individual treatment that you would need to benefit from SAGE Progressions. If participants are enrolled in SAGE Progressions CBT and/or EF and are not participating in SAGE Progressions DBT, their individual therapist need not provide adherent DBT therapy.
How long is the commitment?
For each group in which a patient enrolls, the commitment is ten weeks from that start date of that group.
What is the process for joining?
Call CBC’s intake line at 914 385 1150 x1 or 212 595 9559 x 1 to schedule a 90-minute intake. The intake consists of 60 minutes of assessment with the young adult patient, and 30 minutes of orientation to the program for young adults and their parents.
What can I hope to achieve after I finish this program?
After completing the full Progressions program, you will have a solid repertoire of skills to transition toward greater independence, and will have experience implementing these skills directly to their lives. You may feel more confident to navigate emotional, social, and academic or occupational challenges, and may have more control of your emotions and behaviors. You may have greater momentum toward your goals and feel less stuck in your life.
What are the options for aftercare?
Following completion of the SAGE Progressions programs, young adults may elect to continue in additional cycles of groups relevant to their goals in order to maintain structure and community. They may alternatively continue solely in individual treatment with their therapist for ongoing support and implementation of new learning.
Please visit our SAGE program pages for more detail on our specific programs:
Make an Appointment or a Referral
Please contact our Director of Intake Services at 212-595-9559 (ext.1) or 914-385-1150 (ext.1), or fill out the form above, with any questions regarding eligibility, for further information, or to make a referral. If you are a current patient at CBC, please speak to your individual therapist to see how this group may be of added benefit to you.