Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT combines both cognitive-behavioral therapy (Western principles and practices) and mindfulness approaches (Eastern principles and practices) to help people understand – accept and change - patterns of living that are causing suffering.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic treatment modality that stems from Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT). DBT helps alleviate problems with regulating emotions, thinking patterns, and behaviors that cause misery and distress.
DBT may be for you if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Emotional Symptoms
- Heightened emotional sensitivity
- Quick and intense emotional reactions
- Slow return to normal mood
- Chronic problems with depression, anxiety, anger or anger expression
Behavioral Symptoms
- Repeated suicide threats or attempts
- Self-harm behavior such as cutting and burning
- Relationship difficulties including hypersensitivity to criticism, disapproval, intimacy or fear abandonment
- Impulsive and potentially self-destructive behavior in areas such as binge eating and purging, alcohol or drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, and gambling or spending sprees
Cognitive (Thinking) Symptoms
- Extreme (black or white) thinking
- Difficulty with problem-solving and decision making
- Unstable self-image or sense of self
- “Detached” thinking, ranging from mild problems with inattention to episodes of complete dissociation
DBT has been shown to:
- enhance motivation and desire to live fully in your life
- improve overall quality of life and create a life worth living
- improve emotion management
- improve interpersonal relating and communicating
- decrease self-destructive behaviors
- enhance your ability to get through crises
- decrease inpatient hospitalizations
You can learn more about the development and research of DBT at www.behavioraltech.com.
eating Disorders
My training as a therapist is rooted in working with clients suffering with Eating Disorders. I believe in a holistic approach to help heal body, mind, and spirit. I integrate a considerable knowledge base from training, personal experience, faith in the possibility of recovery, and collaborative approach with a treatment team to support my client’s journey to a more authentic and full life.
· Do you feel society pressures you to be thin?
· Do you feel you must be thin to be OK?
· Are you preoccupied with food?
· Do you feel guilty about eating?
· Do you feel the need to be superior and perfect in academics, athletics and weight control?
· Do you feel your weight is one of the few aspects of your life which you can control?
· Do you diet excessively and/or abuse laxatives, diet pills or diuretics?
· Do you feel you have become isolated from your family and friends?
· Do you prefer eating alone?
· Do you count all the calories hidden in every bite you eat?
· Do you ever consume large amounts of food in a frenzy of hunger?
· Do you ever induce vomiting after eating, particularly after a binge?
· Do you exercise excessively?
· Do you feel fat despite the fact that others tell you that you are thin or OK?
· Does your weight fluctuate dramatically?
· Have your menstrual periods ceased or become irregular?
· Do you have trouble concentrating?
· Do you often feel depressed and unhappy with yourself?
If you or someone you know answered "YES" to 5 or more of the above questions then you may consider eating disorder treatment
contact
ErikaHolmesMFT@Gmail.com
818.919.2253
websites I like
DBTSelfHelp.com- user friendly website for clients and clinicians with DBT skills and mindfulness practices
NEDA.org- Information and resources about eating disorders for those suffering and their loved ones
TWLOH.com- "To Write Love on Her Arms", a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, and self harm
NAMI.org- Resources for a anyone impacted by mental illness