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All of us have experienced difficulty regulating our emotions at some point in our lives. This is when Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) comes in handy!
Here at The Wise Self, we believe in the power of DBT to help people find emotional balance.
It is an evidence-based psychotherapy practice developed by Marsha Linehan in the 1980s to treat individuals struggling with emotional regulation and suicidal ideation due to a history of trauma or chronic mental health issues.
At its core, it is about learning four key skills for emotional regulation: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Let’s look at how these skills can make a difference in your life.
Mindfulness
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One of the main components of DBT is learning mindfulness.
This is the ability to be fully present in the moment and observe one’s thoughts and feelings without judgment.
It encourages us to focus on what we are experiencing right now rather than worrying about the future or ruminating on past events.
By being mindful of your current state and not letting yourself become overwhelmed by it helps us become aware of your reactions without judging them as either good or bad which helps us stay focused on tasks throughout the day and better regulate our emotions.
It ultimately reduces suffering by helping us detach from our thoughts and feelings to respond calmly when faced with stressors.
Distress Tolerance
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Life can be challenging, but it's important to remember that all feelings are valid—even when they are uncomfortable or unpleasant.
Distress tolerance helps us to manage difficult moments without resorting to self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse or self-harm.
It involves developing strategies for getting through difficult moments without making things worse.
For example, rather than sinking into these destructive habits, it aids in developing strategies for managing difficult situations—like watching TV or taking a walk instead of allowing negative behavior to take over.
Through this skill, individuals can gain insight into their behavior patterns and learn how to handle stressful situations without worsening them.
Emotion Regulation
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Emotion regulation is another key component of DBT that teaches individuals how to identify and regulate their own emotions—as well as the emotions of others.
This skill can help us understand why we react a certain way in certain situations and provides tools for managing intense emotions in a healthier way.
With this skill, you can learn how to recognize your triggers to anticipate future reactions and respond more appropriately when feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
By learning to identify our feelings and emotions before they spiral out of control, we can take preventative measures rather than reactive ones. This leads to stronger relationships with ourselves as well as others while progressively lowering stress levels in the long run.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
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Interpersonal effectiveness is the last core skill taught in DBT therapy sessions at The Wise Self clinic.
As we all know, poor communication skills can lead to misunderstandings and hurtful interactions with friends, family members, coworkers, or romantic partners. That's why this skill focuses on improving communication abilities so that we can express ourselves clearly while respecting the boundaries of others.
This involves communication strategies such as expressing needs clearly while also listening carefully.
Knowing how to interact respectfully with others reduces conflict and increases confidence over time as you learn how to navigate relationships inside and outside therapy sessions better.
Unpacking the Four Skills of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
At The Wise Self Clinic, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) acts like a toolbox, while the four core skills—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—are the essential tools for navigating this world in a healthy way while building meaningful connections along the way!
By mastering these four skills taught in our DBT sessions, you will be able to live a more balanced life where your emotions do not control your actions but instead inform your decisions from an empowered place of strength and understanding.
If you would like more information on DBT or any other evidence-based therapies offered at The Wise Self Clinic, please don't hesitate to reach out today!
We are here for you!