Primary Characteristics of DBT
Strengths-based: DBT therapists work with clients to identify their personal strengths and help build on them to increase self-confidence.
Cognitive-based: Thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions that make life more difficult are explored. Many people who come to DBT are stuck in “black and white” thinking—things are either all good or they are all bad. They may tell themselves “I can only be loved if I am perfect” or “If I get mad then I am bad.” DBT helps to reframe these false beliefs and assumptions so that we can feel better about ourselves and better manage our emotions and behavioral responses.
Skills-focus: DBT teaches clients hands-on tools that are practiced in everyday life, which means homework is often assigned by the therapist. Some of these skills include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Who Can Benefit from DBT?
Adolescents and adults who experience:
- Ongoing conflicts in relationships
- Intense and rapid mood changes
- Inability to relax
- Trouble stuffing emotions, then “blowing up” at others
- Impulsive or reactive decisions you often regret
- Overeating
- Spending too much
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Avoiding responsibilities, people, or events
- “Numbing out” in response to fear, anger, etc.
Traditional DBT is a very structured program that usually involves intensive group and individual meetings. At Calli, we offer an alternative approach that is more flexible and adaptable for clients who do not need an intensive approach but would still benefit from learning DBT skills. Our DBT therapists offer skills training during individual sessions. This is an excellent complement for those who are either familiar with DBT because they have either completed a formal program in the past or are currently attending a group but do not have an individual therapist. Calli also sponsors a group for adolescents that is led by Kari Lyn Wampler, LMFT, called Core Skills.
Contact The Calli Institute to learn more about how we can help you.
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Choose a mental health clinic that operates on strong values.
Wellness is a strengths based model that focuses on personal responsibility and self empowerment. It is the process of gaining awareness and satisfaction from activities that promote fitness, nutrition, positive relationships, stress management, life purpose, and commitment to self care. We believe that health and illness are not mutually exclusive and that one can maintain wellness even in the presence of disease.
We recognize that each client is unique. We honor this by taking the time to get to know you as a whole person.
Our team’s goal is to help you feel safe and comfortable, while partnering with you to develop a plan to achieve your goals. We know that change is hard, but even a small change in any aspect of your life can have a significant impact. Our providers will partner with you and help to guide you through your mental health journey.
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