Tag: mindfulness

Is DBT Right For You?

by admin

Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) right for me?  I hear this question over and over from potential and current clients.  To answer this, it’s helpful to understand basic information about DBT and how it is used. 

What is DBT?

DBT is a is a type of psychotherapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a talk therapy that helps people understand how thoughts, emotions and behaviors are interrelated. DBT is specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely. 

“Dialectical” means combining or balancing opposite ideas. DBT focuses on helping people accept the reality of their lives and their behaviors, while also empowering them to change their lives and any unhealthy behaviors.  It focuses on self-acceptance without judgment, while also encouraging change and growth.  

What is DBT used for?

American psychologist Marsha Linehan developed dialectical behavior therapy in the 1970s specifically for clients with borderline personality disorder. Since that time, DBT has been used and researched in helping to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorders, suicidal behavior, and self-harm.

Why does DBT work?

DBT has proved effective for the treatment of many mental health conditions because each of these conditions is thought to be associated with issues that result from unhealthy or problematic efforts to manage intense, negative emotions.  DBT helps people learn healthier ways to cope, leaving clients feeling confident and equipped to deal with negative emotions. 

Learn to manage difficult conversations, disappointments, criticism, overwhelming emotions or conflict without lashing out at others or engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, binge eating and debilitating negative self-talk.

What can I expect from DBT?

DBT is a skills-based approach to talk therapy.  Clients will learn skills from four treatment modules: distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.  Skills are taught in individual or group formats and then practiced at home throughout the week by the client.

DBT at MJCW

Mindful Journey Counseling & Wellness offers DBT through individual therapy as well as a DBT/Mindful Movement group. We are happy to visit with you to determine if DBT is the right course of therapy for you. Visit our website for more information about our individual services and groups.

Knowing Yoga: New Video Series Promotes a Different way of ‘Knowing’

by admin

Sometimes, in the midst of chaos, you find the strength to face your fears.

I have wanted to share yoga and mindfulness skills publicly for some time, but I chose not to make it a priority. Why?  It was out of my comfort zone. 

Although I had the passion to share skills with others, I was avoiding the work because I knew it could create feelings of vulnerability. I know that vulnerability provides the opportunity for growth and connection, but the idea of putting myself out there for judgment and the feelings of anxiety that followed were what I chose to focus on instead.  

But as I have spent the last few weeks sheltering in place and confronting anxiety related to COVID-19 and its impact on society, my mindfulness practice has become more important than ever. And mindfulness has taught me that there is a different way of knowing.

  • A way of knowing through what we can observe and describe, through the senses, through the breath and through staying in the moment.  
  • A way of knowing that has us identify and observe thoughts as thoughts and emotions as emotions, not necessarily as facts.
  • A way of knowing that allows us to “be” instead of “do,” which then allows us to act or respond with intention when we are ready.

When I “checked the facts” , I recognized that my thoughts and fears related to publicly sharing skills were not based on facts, but were based on my own assumptions of what feelings may surface if I posted a video. 

I finally “observed and described” these thoughts and emotions as just that, and I was able to find a place of calm from which to move. I intentionally decided I would prioritize sharing my knowledge of yoga and mindfulness. Thus, Knowing Yoga – a series of yoga and mindfulness videos – was born.  These videos are designed for all skill levels of yoga – from beginners to advanced.

I will be sharing mindfulness skills, guided meditation, and yoga on Knowing Yoga in the hopes of providing you a platform to find moments of quiet and stillness and to possibly find a connection with something bigger than yourself, even among the chaos.  My wish is for each of you to find your own sense of calm through these practices.    

For more information, subscribe to Knowing Yoga on our YouTube channel and receive alerts when new videos are posted. 

I look forward to meeting you on the mat soon,

Andrea Cunningham, M.S., LPC-S, CYT