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

My go-to approach with DBT is to use lots of worksheets and handouts. I find the best benefit in using visual aids to teach the core skills of DBT because this allows clients to have a reference to practice what we learn outside of sessions. We also discuss a ton of hypothetical examples to ensure a comprehensive understanding as we go along.

I teach:

• Mindfulness: Learning to be more aware of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment.
• Distress tolerance: Learning skills to get through difficult moments and experiences, which builds resilience in the long term.
• Emotional regulation: Understanding your emotions, what’s influencing them, and how to cope with them.
• Interpersonal skills: Increasing your confidence to communicate and meaningfully connect with others.

I know a client is making meaningful progress in dialectical behavior therapy when they share awareness of their emotions and the impact they have on thoughts, behaviors, and interactions with others. When clients can then use this emotional awareness to choose and practice an appropriate DBT skill, we’re getting somewhere!

Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavior therapy by reviewing handouts and worksheets. Practice is very important in DBT! Often we use a DBT diary card, which is a very handy tool to track emotions and skills practiced between sessions.

To prepare for their first dialectical behavior therapy session, an individual can reflect on areas in their life where they feel they are getting “stuck” (for example in relationships, at work, etc.) and how they envision those areas changing for the better. It is also helpful to know that making progress with DBT takes time and effort, but with commitment to the process comes increased self-awareness, knowledge, and a sense of agency in daily life.