In today’s world, where mental health issues are becoming increasingly prevalent, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) has become a valuable tool for individuals seeking to improve their emotional wellbeing. DBT is a structured program of psychotherapy with a strong educational component, designed to provide skills for managing emotions and negotiating relationships.
The “dialectical” refers to the “existence of opposites.” In DBT, people are taught two seemingly opposite strategies: acceptance (i.e., that their experiences and behaviors are valid), and change (i.e., that they have to make positive changes to manage emotions and move forward).
DBT acknowledges the need for change in a context of acceptance of situations and recognizes the constant flux of feelings—many of them contradictory—without having to get caught up in them. It is continually aimed at balancing oppositional forces and investigating the truth of powerful, often negative emotions. Therapists help patients understand and accept that thought is an inherently messy process.
DBT’s emphasis on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal skills makes it a particularly useful therapy for those struggling with issues such as stress, depression, and anxiety.
Mindfulness involves being aware of and accepting one’s thoughts and feelings in the present moment, without judgment. Distress tolerance focuses on developing strategies to cope with distressing situations without resorting to harmful or impulsive behaviors. Emotion regulation helps individuals learn to identify and manage intense emotions, while interpersonal effectiveness focuses on improving communication and relationship skills.
DBT is taught both in a group or individual setting, and the cost of either can be prohibitively high. As part of their ongoing programming to support women in need, Women Empowering Women will offer two 12-week affordable courses of DBT training this year at their downtown New Canaan offices, the first beginning on March 6th. The program will again be led by Ellen Arcamone, LCSW, formerly with Silver Hill Hospital, and the cost of the 12-week program is $350. The organization received overwhelmingly positive feedback following last year’s DBT classes, with one participant authoring a book on the subject and another enrolling in school for social work.
Notes Women Empowering Women Executive Director Karen Nisenson, “DBT is a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to therapy that can help individuals develop the skills they need to manage their emotions more effectively, improve their relationships with others, and ultimately lead happier and more fulfilling lives. Our goal at WEW is to help women feel more empowered to make the changes necessary to become the best version of themselves.”
Women Empowering Women is a local non-profit that serves as a resource center for women seeking tools and counseling to face life’s challenges. More about Women Empowering Women can be found at www.wewinstitute.org.
