"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." 

- Maya Angelou

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an extremely structured, skills-driven modality that was originally developed to reduce harmful behaviors for a very specific group of individuals. Research found that this approach, which stems from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, has been effective in treating many different types of people, especially its Skills component. 

It is the DBT Skills that I am able to provide and use to structure each session as needed. DBT Skills are great at decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and overall improving a person’s ability to regulate their emotions. Besides emotional regulation, some other key focuses of this intervention are learning how to:

• tolerate distress more easily

• communicate needs more effectively

• maintain healthier relationships

• focus attention to the present moment

Though these skills are effective learning tools and important reminders for everyone, I find it’s a great structure for pre-teens and teenagers who may be new to these concepts, struggle with friendships, engage in self-harming behaviors, and/or have reoccurring  thoughts about suicide. Everyone’s journey is different, but through these concrete skills, we will allow a space for discovery and learning the importance of self-worth.