Background Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) is an empirically supported intervention for people with borderline personality disorder. There is an emerging body of research that suggests that using the skills group from DBT as a stand-alone intervention may have merit.

Aim To evaluate the use of stand-alone DBT skills groups in multiple community mental health teams (CMHT) and the use of emergency healthcare resources following the intervention.

Methods Sixty six people started the group, however, only 26 service users completed this intervention. An uncontrolled, repeated measures group design was used to compare service users’ mental health before and after the intervention. Information from service users’ health records were also recorded and analysed.

Results A DBT skills group intervention may be effective at reducing negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours, promoting positive self-help behaviours, and reducing service users’ reliance on professional help for support.

Conclusion This evaluation provides tentative support for the use of DBT skills as a stand-alone intervention in a CMHT.