Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or DBT, was created by Dr. Marsha Linehan as an evidenced based approach to effectively treat problems such as Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar, and Eating Disorders.  It has also shown to help with other problem areas, such as drug and alcohol addiction disorders, self harm, and impulsive behaviors. 

DBT utilizes behavioral practices and skills methods to address problem areas that continue to interfere with the life you are wanting.  Clients of DBT find the therapy to not only validate their struggle, also helps me understand new ways of dealing and coping.  The goal of DBT is to not change who you are, only to help you change what keeps getting in the way of what you are truly wanting.  

The core of skills of DBT are the skills and implementation of Mindfulness.  Not necessarily the mediation, but the use of mindfulness in our day to day lives to help make life easier and less stressful.  

The second area of DBT skills are the Distress Tolerance skills.  These skills help us better manage, tolerate, and deal with our day to day stress.  From the small moments of stress to the big moments of panic and feeling overwhelmed. 

The third area is designed for Emotion Regulation skills, which aid in better understanding our emotions, what they are meant for, and how to more effectively manage and appreciate them.  People who struggle with the feelings of emotional misery or emotional outbursts enjoy these skills and area more than the other areas. 

The fourth area of DBT skills help with our Interpersonal Effectiveness.  This area helps us understand our to get our needs and wants across in a way that is more appreciated and gets results, rather than the push away or avoidance that can be felt by others.  It answers the questions of "how do I ask this" and "how can I tell them or get them to understand me".