How I Integrate Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
I integrate Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) into a psychodynamic, relational framework when appropriate and useful. More about how I work here.
As a trauma therapist in Oakland and Berkeley, CA I find using DBT skills helpful in building tools for emotional regulation and tolerance, self-awareness, and strengthening relationships. DBT can be an especially effective therapy for those who are diagnosed with BPD or have BPD traits.
What does this may look like:
Building insight and awareness into your emotions, behaviors, and relationships.
Bringing in DBT skills like mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance into sessions as you learn them and as they are relevant to what is going on in your life.
“People with BPD are like people with third-degree burns over 90% of their bodies. Lacking emotional skin, they feel agony at the slightest touch or movement.”
We might be a good fit in working together this way if:
You are interested in an adapted DBT approach.
You are working on:
emotional regulation
relationship problems
identify as a highly sensitive person
identify with, or are diagnosed with borderline personality disorder
You have taken, are taking, or want to take a DBT course (I can help you find a course).
You have general stability in your life and have a fair amount of insight.
And, you also want to work in a way that integrates relational and psychodynamic work.
We won’t be a good fit if:
You want a therapist who practices full DBT fidelity (a robust one-year program with courses, individual therapy, group work, and phone coaching).
You need a robust level of care beyond what a private practice therapist can offer you during 50-minute therapy sessions weekly or twice weekly.
If you are looking for an organization that offers skills classes, therapy, group work, and phone coaching (recommendations for centers that do this below)
Why I work this way:
I believe in the healing power of insight work in a relational context. I think it is useful to our past relationships and identify how the past is impacting the here and now.
At the same time, I think DBT skills can quickly improve functioning and decrease suffering while doing deeper, healing work.
DBT skills include learning how to experience stress and discomfort without acting in ways that may be harmful (substance use, destructive relationship patterns, self-harm, explosive anger, etc), increasing awareness of your feelings and the feelings of others, learning how to process your feelings, working on making practical changes in your life, and learning how to communicate. These types of skills are helpful for everyone -- and can be life-saving for individuals who find themselves in cycles of self-harm, abusive relationships, etc.
If you are looking for a comprehensive DBT program: