When clients ask me about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a treatment developed by Marsha M. Linehan that offers assistance to those affected by anxiety, depression, self-harm, trauma, and substance abuse, I educate them on the four modules of treatment. These are, mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal regulation and distress tolerance or radical acceptance.
During our first sessions, you will learn that mindfulness is learning to be in control of your mind instead of letting your mind control you. You will be gently guided on a series of pleasant exercises to raise awareness on focusing on the present and grounding you to the now. Secondly, you will learn distress tolerance skills so when things feel bad our behaviors like self-harm, using drugs or alcohol, isolating from other’s, do not make it worse. Also, we will focus on emotional regulation and triggers. Emotions that used to frighten us can be tolerated and made bearable by practicing and using healthy coping skills. Finally, you will be taught skills to manage healthy relationships to improve self-respect and confidence in getting our healthy needs met.
You will learn skills during sessions and practice them on a daily basis, even when you don’t feel a negative emotion! Therefore, you will be prepared if you face a bout of anxiety, a craving, or impulsivity. Your therapist may initially recommend sessions twice a week, tapering to weekly depending on our progression and situation. I encourage you to do your own research on this evidenced based treatment and wish you well on your recovery journey.
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