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Discover how starting dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Westborough
Clients often share that they feel truly heard and supported with me, and that together we’re able to bring clarity, balance, and ...
About
Clients often share that they feel truly heard and supported with me, and that together we’re able to bring clarity, balance, and a deeper mind-body connection to their wellness journey.
As a Resident Counselor with Thriveworks, I specialize in helping individuals navigate the complexities of anxiety and emotional well-being. My approach to therapy focuses on helping you understand and work through the root causes of your struggles, not just the symptoms. We start by looking at real-life situations where you feel stuck or distressed, and gently explore the feelings you may be avoiding because they’re uncomfortable or anxiety-provoking. Together, we’ll also notice the habits or “defenses” you use to cope, some of which may actually be making things harder.
I’ll support you in understanding and gradually changing these patterns, so you can face difficult feelings in a safe and manageable way. As you become more comfortable experiencing your emotions, many symptoms—like anxiety or feeling stuck—can begin to ease, and you can develop healthier, more effective ways of relating to yourself and others.
I understand that seeking support can feel overwhelming, and I strive to create a warm, nonjudgmental environment where you feel heard and supported. I welcome the opportunity to walk alongside you as you explore new pathways toward healing, balance, and a more fulfilling life.
Education and training
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I am an open minded and flexible clinician who doesn't back down from a challenge....
I am an open minded and flexible clinician who doesn't back down from a challenge.
Alison Gilmore is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with over 13 years of experience. She has a unique ability to connect with children through a variety of integrative approaches such as art, writing and play. Alison specializes in PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, all types of abuse, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
She completed both her Bachelor's Degree in Expressive Art Therapy and her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. Alison has experience as an Intensive In Home Family Therapist, working with survivors of domestic violence, case management, and working with foster care youth. She is passionate about working with a humanistic/person-centered approach to meet each youth where they are at and create individualized treatment plans and goals.
Alison has a history of a high success rate in resolving problems that typically arise for children and teens. She has additionally supported many clients over the years with long-term diagnoses to learn to manage their symptoms in order to be more successful in all areas of their lives. If you're ready to work together with Alison, reach out to schedule a session today.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Dialectical behavior therapy focuses on helping people accept their lives and behaviors while helping them learn to change their lives, including any unhelpful behaviors that they may engage in. It's a type of talk therapy for people who experience very intense emotions.
DBT has a number of tools that are regularly used to help improve emotional regulation. These include naming and understanding emotions, decreasing the frequency of unpleasant emotions, and decreasing vulnerability to strong emotions in order to decrease emotional suffering.
When a client is making progress in dialectical behavioral therapy, there is often improvement in the ability to regulate emotional swings, identify automatic negative thoughts, and use the tools that this approach teaches.
Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavioral therapy by practicing, practicing, practicing. Allowing emotions to be what they are, focusing on the present moment, and using tools such as building mastery can help supplement therapy sessions.
To prepare for the first DBT session, an individual can ask themselves the following questions:
At Thriveworks, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) primarily concentrates on assisting individuals in emotion regulation, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and acquiring effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotional difficulties.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) targets your personal challenges. You may work with your DBT therapist to maintain diary cards to monitor progress, emphasizing validation and support in the therapeutic relationship. DBT follows a stage-based approach, prioritizing crisis reduction initially and life satisfaction.
DBT was initially developed to address the needs of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its versatile approach has enabled its application to a wide range of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, anxiety, depression, stress, and anger issues.
The 4 pillars of DBT are mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have distinct purposes and aren’t inherently superior or inferior to one another. DBT is most effective for managing emotional regulation, personality disorders, and interpersonal challenges, while EMDR is specifically tailored for individuals with trauma-related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with therapists at Thriveworks in Westborough, MA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
The duration of a standard DBT program is typically around 24 weeks, which is roughly six months. The actual number of sessions will vary depending on the issues you wish to address.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Westborough is located at 5 E Main St Suite 3, Westborough, MA 01581, in the same building as Berkshire Bank.
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