In a CBT session the focus is on a target area. How a patient thinks, feels, and reacts to a situation or thought is causing problems in their life. There may be multiple target areas, but usually only one is addressed in each session. The first step in CBT is to address core beliefs about… Read More Therapy Tuesday: CBT – Core Beliefs
I’ve had a frustrating realization, and I decided to share it with everyone here. My reason for it isn’t to garner sympathy, but to show how I use the skills I write about. This post may be long, and I’ll put a TRIGGER WARNING here that I’m going to be discussing the ways depression and… Read More Freeform Friday: My battle with depression
It’s such an obvious thing, isn’t it? If you’re having trouble with anxiety or depression, find a therapist. Don’t ask me why, even for those of us who have successfully used therapists in the past, it’s not the first thing we think of. What I’ve learned is that it’s sometimes quite a bit harder than… Read More Top Skills Thursday: Find a therapist
I had a very rough weekend. I’m going to talk about it for two reasons. One, it may help someone to know how I handle the really huge anxiety attacks. Two, I often feel like a fake, writing about how to handle anxiety, depression, and PTSD when I still struggle so hard with them. Yes,… Read More Top Skills Thursday: Triggered and Fighting
I’m sure many reading this are like me, fully isolated, or close to it, and living alone. It creates the perfect environment for touch deprivation to set in. Touch deprivation is a real issue because physical contact with others relieves stress, releases hormones that improve mood, creates bonding experiences, and so much more. Humans need… Read More Soothing Sunday: Touch Deprivation and Isolation
Today I’m tackling another skill that has been subjected to a lot of scrutiny and criticism, generally from those who don’t understand what it’s about. Radical acceptance is a powerful tool for change and reducing internal turmoil. In hopes of avoiding triggering anyone, I’m going to use an analogy and let you translate that into… Read More Top-Skills Thursday: Radical Acceptance
We’ve reached the end of the series on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I know it took a while to get here, but as was shown, it’s a complex, multifaceted therapy. The entire course takes a full six months of weekly group sessions in addition to some pretty intense individual sessions. It’s a commitment of time,… Read More Therapy Tuesday: DBT Wrap-Up
Sometimes we need a soothing break when there simply is no time for it. We’re in the middle of a meeting, surrounded by children, or otherwise unable to step away and take a minute. There are ways to self-soothe even in those busy moments, and they only take a few seconds.
Distress tolerance is the third module in DBT therapy. This section is exactly what it sounds like; how to handle those overwhelming moments.
I think everyone can agree, the idea of “normal life” has been shoved out the door for a hot minute. In the wake of that, I know myself and many others are struggling to adapt and find a “new normal.” It’s hard though, because all the routines are missing.
Kambry Ellis 