Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Cary, NC

When utilizing dialectical behavior therapy, it's important to assess a client's knowledge base of the approach and information. Many times, a client may already be familiar with the basics and may need either a refresher or increased accountability for using the numerous skills associated with DBT. For those who have not had DBT before, a basic tenet is to not just balance but fully utilize perspectives of both acceptance and change. I enjoy and often engage clients in DBT because it gives a clear process for how to experience, work with, and effectively communicate our thoughts and emotions to others.

I cover and/or review the following tools in DBT:

• Mindfulness - “How” and “what” skills, as far as practicing mindfulness.
• Distress tolerance - Using ACCEPTS, IMPROVE, and TIP skills.
• Emotion regulation - Managing vulnerability, PLEASE skills, and building mastery.
• Interpersonal effectiveness - Using DEAR MAN, GIVE, and FAST skills.

Clients are making progress in DBT when they are better able to utilize their Wise Mind to understand their emotional reactions and their logical decision-making sides. Improved interactions with themselves and others are typically the outcome of effective DBT.

To supplement DBT-focused sessions, clients can engage with DBT workbooks that can be purchased online (we cover some worksheets in sessions), check out free resources on DBT online or through their local library, and attend DBT groups that are often being run in local areas. These groups are typically more so focused on the skills related to DBT, and as such can be experienced more like workshops than support groups.

To prepare for their first session of DBT, a client can explore and present their personal struggles in their life as they relate to the things they are struggling to accept about themselves, others, or a situation, and identify the things they can and want to change in relation to these areas.