Like most of us, you may notice times where you feel that your emotions are taking over; that your emotions are too intense to handle. You may feel that you are overrun by negative or spinning thoughts. Perhaps your relationships are suffering or are no longer serving you. You may find that you don’t know how to speak up for yourself in your relationships or have completely lost sight of what you want in these relationships. You may find that you are just “going through the motions” in your day or life! If any of this resonates with you, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) can help.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is a theoretical orientation that was developed in the 1970’s by Dr. Marsha Linehan. DBT is an empirically supported treatment that has been proven in the treatment of substance abuse, eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma and suicidal behaviors.
The term “dialectical” comes from the belief that two ideas or two differing ideas can be true at once. DBT teaches us the concept of balances acceptance AND change; I can accept and validate that I am struggling AND I can learn the skills to make the changes that I need in my life. Overall, you will begin to live your most meaningful life through comprehensive work and skill building in the areas of Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Mindfulness. SO… what does that MEAN??
As a client being treated under the foundations of DBT, you can expect an increased
understanding of your emotions as well as how to manage intense emotions. You will begin to understand WHY you have the emotional reactions you do and how to reduce emotional reactivity. You will also learn about your own negative thought patterns and begin to challenge old, unhealthy ways of thinking. You will learn how to cope with stress in your life through the development of healthy behaviors and new skills. You will also begin to notice an improvement in your ability to communicate with others, resulting in an overall improvement in your relationships.
So, if you are ready to learn tangible SKILLS to improve your ability to regulate your emotions, manage life’s stressors, improve your relationships and contribute to your overall feelings of wellness and awareness, DBT is for you!
Want to learn more?
Call or Text Dr. Jen: (954) 464-1733