Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

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.

I have utilized both structured and unstructured DBT interventions with clients for over 5 years.

I have in-depth knowledge of DBT: it's philosophy, the dialectics, the various modules (Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness), and mood charting. I have incorporated a significant amount of DBT in my work with clients of many presenting issues.

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.

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

Dialectical Behavioral therapy weaves Zen Buddhism with practical, down to earth resources for a broad range of issues – from the occasional difficulty with communication to folks who struggle meeting their basic needs and having relationships, DBT has something for everyone (even me!). Previously I’ve offered a DBT group and individualized DBT sessions, and now I incorporate DBT concepts into individual and couples therapy as it feels relevant and desired by my clients.

I have attained additional training in DBT and utilize the four components (mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation) to help clients. I also use these skills as part of their "tool box" of coping skills to help deal with stressors.

I may utilize DBT to help you manage your responses to overwhelming emotions to increase your sense of balance and agency, improve your relationships, and increase your distress tolerate in managing future stressors or life changes.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy derived from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy and Positive Psychology. I use elements of DBT in my work with clients and I can also provide full scope DBT to clients who would like to use exclusively DBT.

I am have completed the 16-week foundational training in DBT and work part-time in a comprehensive DBT clinic. I believe that DBT helps clients that are in acute distress or who are struggling with compulsions, intrusive thoughts, or high levels of anxiety to lower their levels of distress and feel more connected to their authentic selves. I also find DBT to be a beautiful compliment to trauma-focused work as it helps to manage triggers without avoidance.

Certificate: Dialectical Behavior Therapy - Evergreen Certifications 2023

I'm certified to provide Dialectic Behavioral Therapy to help clients manage their emotions and improve their relationships.

Sometimes we all need a structured cheat sheet for basic and advanced human interactions. DBT can offer us simple tools and skills for a variety of situations. It is an evidence based treatment that has been highly effective in helping folks take a wise approach to our triggers.

I integrate DBT skills with nearly everybody I work with. DBT offers concrete ways to manage difficult situations, whether they're tolerating large amounts of distress, regulating emotions, being effective in interpersonal relationships, or developing mindfulness skills.

DBT provides skills to manage conflicting feelings that can lead to undesired maladaptive behavior, while helping to understand problematic emotions that are causing unwanted issues.

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 been trained in DBT since 2018 and have experience using it in both group and individual settings. I deeply understand the concepts and enjoy teaching skills that improve mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and self-concept. One of the things I like about DBT is that it builds on an individual's existing skills and helps them to find space between stimulus and response, reducing reactivity and improving impulse control.

DBT provides effective tools for managing emotions, improving communication, and increasing stress tolerance. Yams has experience facilitating a number of DBT groups imparting these skills and helping clients integrate them in real time outside of sessions.

I believe that identifying our thinking traps and learning how to pull the lens back and explore our thought patterns are integral in how we manage tension and conflict. I use the six main points of DBT often in my practice to support mindfulness practices and emotional regulation.