Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Orlando, FL

My approach to helping individuals in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is to review their treatment goals and help formulate realistic expectations prior to starting. I prefer engaging in this discussion before making any recommendations, as this helps to ensure informed decision-making for optimal growth and positive well-being.

When researching a DBT therapist, one should look for the following skills training:

• Mindfulness: Skills for increasing present-moment self-awareness.
• Distress tolerance: Skills for decreasing the intensity of a disturbance.
• Emotional regulation: Learning how to self-regulate to choose an appropriate response.
• Interpersonal effectiveness: Skills for interacting and communicating more effectively and efficiently with others.

Determining when a client is making meaningful progress in dialectical behavior therapy should be a collaborative and ongoing process between the client and therapist. As we each heal and grow in our own respective time frames, regular progress “check-ins” should be a part of the therapeutic alliance to promote both autonomy and independence. This will help to provide structure for future direction, as well as afford the opportunity for reevaluation of treatment goals, if deemed necessary and/or appropriate.

Clients can supplement their time in dialectical behavior therapy with ongoing skills training outside of meetings. One key component to using coping skills is to practice them even when they're not needed. This helps to reinforce muscle memory so that when the skill is needed, implementation is not as difficult, as we have switched into an “auto-pilot mode. Regular use of a skill diary and/or DBT flashcards can also be incredibly helpful.

To prepare for your first DBT session, making a list of goals and areas of concern for personal improvement, as well as identification of the friends and/or family members involved, can be most advantageous. This can help build a healthy foundation for trust in the therapeutic relationship, as well as provide a supportive environment for the exploration of self-expression and self-advocacy.