Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Manassas, VA

My go-to approach for helping people in dialectical behavior therapy is helping them accept the reality of their lives and their behaviors and learn to change their lives, including their unhelpful or maladaptive behaviors. I find the best benefit in DBT because it is based on CBT and is specially adapted for people who experience intense emotions.

In the dialectical behavior therapy framework, tools such as distress tolerance, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effective strategies can be used to decrease symptoms of anxiety, worry, sadness, depression, and eating disorders.

The client is making meaningful progress in DBT when they experience decreased symptoms of eating disorders, anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidal behaviors, etc. Also, the client is able to regulate or manage his or her emotions, manage their borderline personality disorder symptoms, and/or maintain sobriety from drug use.

Clients can supplement their time in DBT by utilizing DBT coping cards or implementing positive coping skills such as distress tolerance. Some examples of distress tolerance skills are visualizing a relaxing scene, looking for the silver lining, taking a mental break to do something pleasant to improve the moment, thinking about the potential pros and cons of either tolerating or not tolerating the distress, self-soothing techniques such as using the senses to calm down, TIPP skills (changing the body's physiology to reduce emotional arousal), the STOP skill, radical acceptance, and distraction. Other important DBT skills include emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness strategies.

To prepare for their first DBT session, an individual can take time before the session to reflect on their goals and what they hope to gain from the session, as well as calibrate their expectations around the time frame for treatment, therapy modality, and potential fears of judgment or vulnerability. They can also choose a strategic time for the appointment if possible and find a location that is quiet and private. For someone practicing DBT for the first time, mindfulness is a key component of DBT therapy. DBT also focuses on developing interpersonal skills and can include homework assignments. Finally, seeking support, such as group support, is important. Some communities offer online or in-person DBT skills groups for those who want to practice DBT in a supportive group setting.