Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Imagine your emotions as a flame. What do we do with a fire? If your first thought was to put it out, I encourage you to keep reading. The overlooked nature of strong emotions (even negative ones) is that every single one of them comes about for a reason. By casting them aside, we only kick the can down the road until the next time the emotion flares up. Only this time, it will flare up with much more ferocity. This suggests a balance between extinguishing a flame and letting it run wild.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of talking therapy that is based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with an eastern philosophy influence. Alison utilizes DBT for people who feel emotions very intensely. DBT helps to understand and accept difficult feelings, learn skills to manage big feelings, and become able to make positive changes in your life.

I have trained extensively in DBT and currently incorporate some useful skills from their modules in Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness into my treatment approach

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach developed by Psychologist and author Marsha Linehan. It is a accountability and skills-based approach with four different categories: - mindfulness - distress tolerance - emotion regulation - interpersonal effectiveness This approach helps people become more self-aware, more equipped to sit with their feelings, make themselves feel better in healthy ways, and engage in relationships with healthy boundaries and communication.

I offer a DBT informed approach (not strictly DBT as I pull from other modalities when appropriate) as to me it is the most all encompassing therapy I have come across. It helps teach life skills such as mindfulness practice, radical acceptance, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and emotional regulation. All such skills can help with most mental health challenges and addictive tendencies.

Work through Crisis, Trauma, Abuse and Relationship Issues with Dialectical Behavioral Skills. We offer both individual and DBT Workshops. Feel free to reach out for either a free consult or join our DBT Workshops.

My specialty is in DBT and I have taken multiple multi-day trainings on DBT.

Specific training and practice in different settings, DBT skills are incredibly applicable for a number of people, so I encourage usage as clients are able and fits for them.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a skills-based approach to psychotherapy that includes aspects of mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy. The word “dialectical” refers to this therapy’s focus on learning to balance and tolerate opposites, with the goal of releasing attachment to black-and-white thinking. The philosophical foundation of dialectics underlies DBT therapy, which strives to help individuals accept present realities while also working toward change.

DBT is amazing for learning how to use mindfulness and values to approach making it through really painful, distressing times; learning how to name your emotions and what they help and hinder; upping your people skills at asking directly for what you want and need. DBT also helps us view ourselves and others with compassion and acceptance, helping us navigate life's pain effectively and with less suffering. It packages lots of helpful skills in a way that's easy to follow and practice.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an approach developed by Psychologist and author Marsha Linehan. It contains the following the four sets of skills: - mindfulness - distress tolerance - emotion regulation - interpersonal effectiveness To put these ideas into other words, these are skills aimed at empowering a person to understand themselves better, learn to sit with their emotions without "fixing" them or avoiding them, self-soothe, and learn to communicate in healthier ways.

DBT was initially designed to treat people with suicidal behavior and borderline personality disorder. It has been adapted for other mental health problems that threaten a person's safety, relationships, work, and emotional well-being. DBT is helpful for clients who may have intense bursts of anger and aggression, moods that shift rapidly, and extreme sensitivity to rejection.

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.

My formal training is in DBT, which has four main parts: Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. DBT was originally created for those in chronic distress, but the skills can easily translate over to helping those struggling with relationships, stress, depression, trauma and life transitions. While I don't exclusively use DBT in my practice, I often utilize different components of DBT to match my client's needs.

"The term "dialectical" comes from the idea that bringing together two opposites in therapy -- acceptance and change -- brings better results than either one alone. A unique aspect of DBT is its focus on acceptance of a patient's experience as a way for therapists to reassure them -- and balance the work needed to change negative behaviors." (Taylor, 2022)

Applying and developing mastery in the principles of DBT allow us space to hold our emotions, relationships and stress without being burnt out or feeling beat down. Together, we learn how to build out these muscles until they become second nature.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on the relationship between what we think, how we feel, and what we do with the ultimate goal of building a life worth living. It emphasizes building skills and can provide more immediate symptom relief while working towards lifelong change. In session you and I will spend time reviewing your progress, exploring patterns that emerge, learning skills, and setting goals and homework for next session.