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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

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Are you looking for strategies to better manage your emotions and develop healthier coping skills in stressful situations? Imagine being able to handle these things that come your way with grace and ease.  At The Wise Self, that’s precisely what you can achieve.

We offer Dialectical Behavioral Therapy sessions with our therapists, who are specially trained in this approach.  You’ll be able to get the support and guidance you need to start feeling better about yourself!

But what exactly is DBT? And how does it work? Let's take a closer look.

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What is DBT?

In a nutshell, DBT is a type of therapy specifically designed to treat patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, many mental health professionals have found that DBT can be an effective treatment for a variety of other conditions as well, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse disorders.

Broadly speaking, it is a form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals understand and manage their emotions. It focuses on developing internal skills  that help clients  to cope better with difficult emotions,  relationships and life circumstances. 

How Does It Work?

DBT combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques to help people develop greater insight into their thoughts and behaviors. 

At its core, it seeks to teach clients four key skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation.

●    Mindfulness involves learning to be aware of your thoughts and feelings in the present moment without judgment or criticism.
●    Distress Tolerance refers to developing techniques for managing difficult emotions.
●    Interpersonal Effectiveness involves developing communication skills to interact better with others.
●    Emotional Regulation focuses on learning how to identify and manage intense emotions. 

5 Key Benefits of DBT

Although DBT was originally developed as a cognitive-behavioral therapy to help people better manage their emotions, it has since been shown to provide several key benefits. Here are some of them: 

#1. Regulates Emotions

It strives to assist individuals in regulating their emotions better and reducing potentially disruptive behaviors caused by overwhelming feelings.
 
People who struggle with emotions like anger, anxiety, or depression may experience difficulty managing their behavior in certain situations, leading to problems like substance abuse or self-harm. The treatment helps these individuals to learn how to control their responses and develop strategies for healthily managing negative emotions. 

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#2. Teaches Mindfulness Skills

Mindfulness is essential to this treatment, as it teaches individuals how to respond rather than react when faced with difficult situations or uncomfortable emotions.

You can learn to be present and aware of your thoughts and feelings through mindfulness practices without getting overwhelmed or making impulsive decisions. This can be especially beneficial for those who struggle with impulsivity or have difficulty maintaining relationships due to poor communication skills.  

#3. Improves Self-Esteem & Confidence

Low self-esteem and lack of confidence can be incredibly emotionally and mentally damaging; fortunately, DBT offers solutions for improving both areas too!

By teaching positive coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and effective communication techniques, people who participate in the sessions often feel more confident about themselves—and the world around them—once they complete the program.  

#4. Develops Healthy Relationships

Relationships are essential components of mental well-being; however, forming meaningful connections with others isn’t always easy—especially if you’re struggling with emotional regulation issues or poor communication skills!

Fortunately, through the regular practice of the mindfulness exercises taught during DBT sessions, individuals can learn how to better connect with others by strengthening their interpersonal skillset—ultimately leading to healthier relationships down the line!  

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#5. Reduces Stress & Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are two common issues that can cause severe disruptions in daily life if left unchecked. With each session, individuals can learn effective techniques for reducing stress levels while developing healthier habits that prevent stress from building up over time.

Additionally, these sessions can help people gain insight into why they feel anxious in certain situations and provide tools for dealing with these feelings more effectively going forward.  

Find a DBT Therapist 

The most important thing in preparing for DBT is to find the right therapist for you. A successful DBT session requires an experienced therapist who understands the concepts and principles of dialectical behavior therapy.

With that being said, our licensed professional therapist will serve as your coach, cheerleader, problem solver, and role model throughout the therapeutic process. Our job is to help you learn new skills to cope with your emotions in healthier ways while also helping you develop insight into your behaviors and thought patterns. 

DBT with The Wise Self

We want to be our best selves, but that can be difficult to achieve. Change is hard and accepting ourselves for who we are is even more challenging. But at The Wise Self, we will help you find a balance between the two, so you can finally live your best life!

Through our DBT sessions, our team of experienced psychotherapists will help you identify your goals for therapy and develop individualized treatment plans based on your unique needs and preferences. We use mindfulness-based techniques such as meditation, and relaxation exercises, along with skills training, so that you can learn how to cope with difficult situations in healthy ways. We will work closely with you every step of the way so you can make lasting changes that will benefit your life for years to come! 

So, if you are ready to make lasting, positive changes, contact us and book your 15-minute free consultation today!

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