Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

We are passionate about the heart behind Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: radical acceptance of who you are and where you are in the moment, while making the changes necessary to be more aligned with your values. PSYCHe is led by a DBT Linehan Board of Certification, Certified clinician. We believe wholeheartedly in the efficacy of mindfulness-based practices in order to become more aware of our thoughts and emotions and to be fully present in our lives.

I do not consider myself an expert in anything but more of a general practitioner however in my journey and experience DBT has been one of the most useful approaches for me and others. Evidence-based practices over the past decade such as DBT really have become the gold standard of care all over the country and internationally as well.

I've been using DBT to treat emotional dysregulation for over 10 years. I stumble into new revelations every time I teach or use the skills myself. DBT is not a magic wand to solve all our problems, but it can be magical. I'm excited to show you how mindfulness and tolerating distress, coupled with emotion regulation and interpersonal skills can change your life. It's not easy or for the faint of heart, but just you reading this tells me you have the kernel of courage needed to get started.

I have spent 4 years studying and using DBT in my personal life and with my clients. I utilize the DBT skills of mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help my clients create a life worth living.

DBT is especially helpful when folks feel very upset in the moment and seemingly lose their train of thought. DBT was a focus of my more advanced training (internship) prior to licensure.

I received extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy through the Behavioral Tech - A Linehan Institute Training Company. DBT is a large part of my clinical work because it is an empirically validated treatment and its vast utility for many clients.

I am a DBT certified therapist. I love this treatment approach because it has countless specific, tangible coping skills one can utilize in an array of situations. Dialectic means “synthesis of opposites”. In therapy, I work with you to find ways to hold two seemingly opposite perspectives at once – moving away from all-or-nothing thinking and toward a both/and perspective that fosters balance. For ex: “I’m doing the best I can, and I can do better” or “I’m anxious and I can get through this."

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a highly researched set of skills/techniques that is useful with a variety of mental health struggles. It is commonly used in the treatment of personality disorders, but also is very useful with various mood difficulties, as well as chronic stress. I am trained in DBT, and work with client's on developing the specific set of skills that will work for each individual. I also help client's with not only learning the skills, but specifically how to implement them.

Alyson has taken courses in Dialectical Behaviors Therapy (DBT) and integrates DBT skills in therapy to help support clients contain behaviors and manage distressing emotions. DBT offers a variety of skills to help with emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills which can provide concrete skills clients can utilize when they are struggling.

I have been trained and certified in DBT and focus on the 4 pillars of this modality in much of my therapeutic process with clients. These pillars include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation.

Whether you're struggling with emotion dysregulation, interpersonal difficulties, or distress tolerance, I utilize a combination of mindfulness, skills training, and behavior modification techniques to help you achieve meaningful and lasting change. I work collaboratively with clients to tailor DBT strategies to their unique needs and goals. Through skill-building exercises, role-plays, and homework assignments, clients learn practical tools to navigate life's challenges with greater resilience.

Completed trainings such as Intensive DBT Foundational Training, DBT Skills, DBT Prolonged Exposure Trauma Treatment, and DBT for children.

Sometimes we all encounter situations that leaves us broken and helpless to where life begins to lose meaning. Radical acceptance and mindfulness through DBT allows you to accept situations as is knowing you have no control over them. This allows individuals to learn the process of letting go of past hurts and learning to live in the moment with a focus on what is going well in their lives at this point.

DBT help people successfully improve coping skills develop effective ways to manage and express strong emotions Researchers found that DBT is effective regardless of a person's age sex gender identity sexual orientation and race ethnicity DBT is effective in the treatment of borderline personality disorder for suicidal behavior and self-harm the method could also be a successful treatment for other mental health conditions and in the treatment of PTSD depression and anxiety

Whether we are working with the originl DBT program to address impusivity or the Radically Open DBT program to work through overcontrolled behaviors, these skills are incredibly helpful with managing behaviors that stand in our way of happiness and success.

Supporting the individual in developing skills to manage their life challenges is essential. I use DBT to help individuals improve their communication skills, self-regulation skills, and distress tolerance skills.