Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a non-pathological approach to treating emotion dysregulation through skills and theory. DBT was founded by Marsha Linehan, PhD to treat personality disorders and has become a highly utilized and evidence-based practice in eating disorder treatment and crisis intervention.
DBT has four core modules with accompanying skills to assist behavior change. Through mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation, clients will learn how to traverse a middle path between acceptance, change, and other dialectics.
Mindfulness
DBT Mindfulness is a concept and skill based in Zen Buddhism that practices a nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment. Mindfulness is the foundation of DBT, and the key to navigating a middle path between acceptance and change.
The theory of mindfulness informs my therapeutic approach. I see coping (even maladaptive coping) as neither good or bad, but rather as effective or ineffective. Mindfulness replaces judgment and shame around eating disorder behaviors with a curious understanding. This practice creates a place of acceptance and validation for those suffering while simultaneously encouraging effective skills use.
Emotion Regulation
Emotion Regulation is a theory and skill base focused around managing difficult emotions. The foundation of this module posits that emotions are neither good nor bad; they are solely signals from our brain and body. Through Emotion Regulation, one can learn to decrease vulnerability to emotional volatility and understand messages from emotions in a helpful manner.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
One’s attachment and communication to others is vital for relational health. In fact, connectedness to others is a significant factor in eating disorder recovery. Interpersonal Effectiveness provides a framework of skills and ideas to communicate with others in an effective manner, as well as set boundaries and advocate for personal needs without the use of eating disorder behaviors.
Distress Tolerance
Distress Tolerance is the practice of utilizing skills to cope with distressing events through an effective, evidence-based skills approach. I believe distress and tragedy is inevitable and effective coping is possible for any person and in any situation given the right skillset.
All of the DBT Core Modules are coined and founded by Marsha Linehan, PhD (1993) and summarized by Caley Featherstone, LLC to fit personal counseling technique and style.
Although I offer other forms of evidence-based therapies in my office, the structure and backbone of my practice is derived from DBT, including: phone coaching, DBT skills groups, and diary cards. My therapy is heavily driven by skills acquisition and behavior change while building a therapeutic relationship of validation and trust.