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At our KMI facility, our highly trained therapists are using
another approach in treatment called Dialectical Behavior Therapy
(DBT). DBT is a method for teaching coping skills for our
adult and adolescent patients that are dealing with
self-destructive and treatment-interfering behaviors. We have
been using this skills group since 2009 in addition to our
cognitive behavioral therapy, behavior modification, etc. We
recently added DBT to our Psych and Dual Partial Hospitalization
Programs.
Our DBT Skills Group consists of four content
areas:
- Mindfulness
- Distress Tolerance
- Emotional Regulation
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
Mindfulness is about being in the here
and now most of the time. It is about doing one thing at a
time. When individuals use mindfulness in their lives, they
are able to stay in balance, remain non-judgmental and be as
effective as possible.
Distress Tolerance is about learning
to tolerate frustration. It is about being able to deal with
stress, drama and crisis in skilled ways.
Emotional Regulation is about learning
impulse control. This includes tolerating, managing and
coping with emotions, impulses, urges and cravings while not acting
automatically or without thinking it through.
Interpersonal Effectiveness is about
being effective in relationships. Here individuals balance
investment in relationships, commitment to self and the ability to
communicate effectively.
DBT provides the skills necessary for learning to deal and cope
with relationship conflict, overwhelming emotions and severe
stress. Skill groups meet Monday through Friday. These
important skills reduce the size of emotional waves and help keep
life in balance. Patients implement new techniques and
strategies that have a tremendous impact on their ability to cope
with distress and pain.
Patient Satisfaction surveys have given us a successful
response.
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