Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is an evidenced-based type of talk therapy that is used in treating individuals who experience emotions very intensely, with the goal of helping the individuals to strike a balance between acceptance of who they are while also challenging themselves to identify ways in which they could benefit from making changes. DBT interventions teach individuals about mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

I have undergone two years of intensive full protocol Dialectical Behavioral Therapy at the Family Institute of Northwestern University

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy brings together two ideas: accepting things as they are (what we cannot control) while also motivating us to own our power to change things for the better (what we can control). The goal is to develop ‘wise mind’, or the capacity to be realistic and mindful of our situation rather that succumb to reactive behavior. DBT combines Cognitive-behavioral tenets (looking at how emotions and thoughts affect our behaviors) with Buddhist meditative practices to help people struggling with suicidality, anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, and more. The main points of DBT are: mindfulness/meditation; communicating effectively in relationships, how to better tolerate distress and cope with triggering emotions. Whether it’s learning to meditate, trying out positive self-talk, exposing themselves safely to challenging emotions, or practicing difficult conversations they want to have with loved ones, my clients find much practical use of DBT.

DBT and RO-DBT (Radically Open DBT) are treatment modalities founded on the idea that the combination of your genetics and the environment you are in explain the ways we cope with stressors in life (whether helpful or harmful). Both models provide you with tangible skills to manage emotions and change behavior. RO-DBT addresses problems of "over control" such as restrictive eating disorders, perfectionism, self-judgment, rigidity, and treatment resistant depression.

I use DBT as a framework to support clients, particularly those dealing with intense emotions and challenges related to emotion regulation, interpersonal relationships, and self-identity. I combine cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. I help clients develop greater awareness of their thoughts and feelings and teach interpersonal effectiveness skills to enhance clients’ ability to communicate their needs, set boundaries, and build healthier relationships.

I am a certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist. I have run a DBT group for one year.

DbT is the most useful in early counseling. Thinking errors are explained and pain tolerance is taught. It is both eastern and western ideas put together. Studies show that it is highly effective.

I have utilized DBT first as a client and now as a clinician. DBT offers specific skills and behaviors rather than theoretical models of approaching behaviors and emotions. DBT is the sister of CBT and there is frequent overlap when discussing intervention. DBT also pairs well with trauma work which is why I utilize a combination of approaches.

I have experience and training in treating DBT in a variety of clinical settings. My approach emphasizes the balance between acceptance and change, enabling clients to develop skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. I create a safe, supportive environment that fosters trust and growth, empowering individuals to transform their lives by learning to manage intense emotions and build healthier relationships.

I have been trained in DBT and use it with my clients who need to focus on skills to increase their tolerance to the therapy work. Most clients struggle in some capacity with feeling their emotions, interacting in relationships, and tolerating distressing situations. DBT skills can help lay a foundation to address these issues.

Our practice runs a DBT and RO DBT program with weekly skills group. Originally it was designed for people with Borderline Personality Disorder, which it's excellent at treating, but it's been shown through many studies to be helpful for many people. DBT helps us learn the skills to be more effective in life, have more control over our emotions while keeping them from having so much control over us, and helping us to be present with ourselves in the day to day.

I received specialized training in Marsha Linehan's Dialectical Behavioral Therapy program during my internship year at Belmont Behavioral Health. I've got experience participating in group therapy and providing individual therapy for young adults involved in an intense outpatient program.

I have over 3 years experience using DBT in a variety of treatment settings. I was trained using DBT inpatient for eating disorders and have applied the skills with many clients in my outpatient practice. I often combine approaches to meet the needs of my individual client.

Why ruminate when you can free your mind and soul to be in the moment? Can you tell I have a thing for mindfulness. DBT is where mindfulness and CBT meet. The main goals of DBT are to teach people how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships with self and others.

DBT is a form of CBT that combines acceptance and change and is particularly useful for those with intense emotional regulation difficulties, incorporating skills like mindfulness and distress tolerance. The core focus of DBT is to help individuals find a balance between accepting themselves as they are and changing unhealthy behaviors.

DBT will help you develop practical skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance, making it easier to cope with difficult emotions without turning to food or body image concerns as a way to cope.

I have experience integrating DBT skills spanning over 5 years of work. I first learned to apply DBT at an inpatient center for eating disorders, and have since worked to apply DBT skills with all sorts of intense emotional challenges. I often use a variety of treatments to meet individual needs.

I utilize Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in my work with children and adolescence to support them with developing resiliency. I utilize elements of Radically Open DBT to support my clients struggling with restrictive disordered eating.