Using dialectical behavioural therapy, often known as DBT, is a fundamental part of my approach. DBT is known in the field as part of the third wave of CBT. The umbrella of CBT started with behavioural analysis by conditioning (what we learn from our environment and other people repeatedly to make it habitual), with the second wave being much more cognitive (how we think and therefore how we feel and then behave as a consequence), and now we have the third wave of CBT which incorporates the emotional aspects of our health.
DBT techniques are a set of skills used for change as with any other CBT strategy in counselling and psychotherapy, yet DBT brings all the history of CBT together and helps you grow your awareness of yourself. This increases confidence, self-esteem and self-worth. I ensure my clients feel ready to look at DBT techniques and strategies with safety, stability and supportive guidance. Change can be scary and difficult, but change doesn’t have to be accomplished alone and I like to be as sure as I can that my clients feel listen to with the upmost respect.
DBT helps me to support people in accepting where they are right now and that is obviously something needs to change. Acceptance can be one of the hardest initial steps yet it can become a useful part of the mindfulness practice that supports and underpins the work that follows.
The work that I do using DBT techniques in the safety and containment of the therapy room can be profound and life changing. DBT can help clients with emotional regulation as well as cognitive distortion and negative behaviour. DBT is a modern technique and encompasses specifically of thinking, feeling, behaviour and emotional regulation with being mindful of the difficulties being faced (acceptance and understanding).
Using techniques that focus on the triangle of thinking feeling and behaviour are extremely valuable in helping a person feel like they’re back in the driving seat of their mind.
It is important to talk to your therapist about therapeutic interventions and tools and skills that you feel would work for you, after all you know you best. A therapist will then give you professional advice and with their knowledge and experience can help you make the right decision, an informed decision so you feel empowered in your therapy and maintain the therapy is working for you.
