DBT and Mindfulness

DBT maintains that some people, due to their environments during upbringing and due to biological factors as yet unknown, react abnormally to emotional stimuli. Their level of arousal goes up much more quickly, peaks at a higher level, and takes more time to return to baseline. This can lead to constant "crises", extreme emotional lability (emotions that shift rapidly), interpersonal/relationship problems, trauma and stress related disorders.

If you are considering DBT it may be because you have not yet learned any methods for coping with these sudden, intense surges of emotion. DBT is a method for teaching skills that will help in this task. We will work together to; increase interpersonal effectiveness skills, study and experiment w/mindfulness practice and increase distress tolerance skills. I offer both individual and group DBT therapy and skills training.

As part of DBT, I emphasize mindfulness skills training.  I will invite you to learn to be more in the present moment, which is where you can access your own wisdom and answers. Using present-focused awareness you will experience how to tolerate your feeling states in a safe, nurturing, compassionate way. This is a gift you can give yourself. My clients report that this part of the DBT work is the most gratifying and empowering.