Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Adapted
The Theory
According to Marsha Linehan, PhD., invalidating environments you may have experienced during upbringing as well as biological factors yet unknown, cause you to react abnormally to emotional stimulation. You get upset quickly, it becomes very intense and you can't get back to normal as easily as the people around you. You may feel as if your life is always in crisis, or that you are at the whim of your emotions.
People frequently confuse Borderline Personality Disorder with Bipolar Disorder. Both create marked changes in mood, but a psychiatrist should be able to differentiate between the manic aspects of Bipolar Disorder and the emotional reacvitity of Borderline Personality Disorder.
Because of past invalidation, people don't have any methods for coping with these sudden, intense surges of emotion. DBT is a method for teaching skills that will help you gain control.
How I conduct treatment
During once or twice weekly psychotherapy sessions a particular problematic behavior or event from the past week is explored in detail, beginning with a "chain analysis" of events leading up to it, going through alternative solutions that might have been used, and examining what kept the client from using more adaptive solutions to the problem:
Both between and during sessions, you will learn adaptive behaviors, especially as they occur within the therapeutic relationship, emphasizing new skills in managing emotional trauma rather than mimimizing the trauma by avoiding the crisis.
Telephone contact between sessions as part of DBT procedures can be helpful in fostering trust and is encouraged.
Who is DBT for?
DBT was designed for women with Borderline Personality Disorder, and has also been used in treating substance abuse patients. It is not for everyone. Some people benefit by starting with supportive psychotherapy, and then transitioning to DBT. Interpersonal Psychotherapy can also be useful in treating symptoms of depression or anxiety.
If you have questions please feel free to contact me, David Martorano, M.D. at dmm@malibupsychiatry.com
Skills of DBT
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Assertiveness and social skills training that will empower you.
Distress Tolerance: Cuts your problems in half. You will no longer feel distressed about feeling distressed!
Reality Acceptance: Life's not perfect, and it's certainly not fair. Accepting your reality allows you to work on what will improve your quality of life.
Emotion regulation: Implementing DBT skills will demonstrate that you have control over what happens to you, and consequently, control over your emotions.
Mindfulness: Learn how to resolve the dialectic between your rational and emotional minds and stop being willful.
Goals of DBT
- Decrease suicidal behaviors and thoughts
- Decrease responses or behaviors that interfere with therapy
- Decrease behaviors that interfere with or reduce quality of life
- Decrease post-traumatic stress responses
- Enhance self-respect
- Learn new behavioral skills
To Schedule a Consultation, Please Call 310-593-4827
CBT - DBT - ISTDP - IPT - SUPPORTIVE - INSIGHT ORIENTED
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