Are you someone who has struggled with your emotions for as long as you can remember?
Does it seem like your feelings are in control of you?
Has acting impulsively on your emotions led you to behave in a way that you later regret?
Take control
If you answered yes to the above questions, you might be someone who would benefit from Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Skills Training. DBT Skills Training is a longer-term therapy that helps individuals who struggle with distressing feelings and destructive behaviours.
What does the Dialectic mean in DBT?
The Dialectic is the concept of the coming together of two seemingly opposite forces. We can struggle to hold these as humans and individuals who enter DBT tend to find themselves thinking in very all or Nothing terms, “If I show vulnerability then I can’t be strong.” Finding the Dialectic helps us bring together opposing truths. “I am vulnerable and I am strong.” Other examples of dialectics are:
“Where there is dark there is light.”
“I don’t want to get out of bed and I will get out of bed.”
“I love being alone and I like being with people.”
Who is DBT for?
DBT was originally developed for individuals with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). A full DBT programme incorporates three components: a weekly skills group meeting, individual therapy and 24-hour telephone coaching. DBT and DBT-informed approaches have developed and are now recognised treatments for individuals with emotional regulation difficulties - including BPD, long-term impulse control problems, binge eating Difficulties and complex trauma.
Geraldine Claire has worked within a full DBT programme and she currently offers DBT skills training within an individual therapy framework.
The Process
The strategies you develop help you learn life changing techniques centred around change or acceptance, or both (that’s another dialectic!).
Over the course of your therapy you will be introduced to four modules:
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Distress Tolerance - Learn to tolerate your emotions and manage crisis situations.
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Emotional Regulation - Connect with the function of your emotions and develop an understanding of how to find more long-term balance
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Interpersonal Effectiveness - Build confidence in how you navigate your way through your relationships and learn solid communication skills
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Mindfulness - Begin to live in the moment without judgement. The mindfulness module teaches you to observe and describe your experience of being present without getting caught up in urges.