DBT Helps People Learn and Hone Skills to Build That Life Worth Living! It is difficult, if not impossible, to change over-learned behaviors that have served to help a person cope without learning new ways of being in the world (and in one’s body). In DBT, you will receive in-depth training across 4 areas: Mindfulness skills: designed to teach you how to focus attention on the present moment without judgment. Very often, people with EDs have difficulty staying in the “here and now”. Connecting with emotions, with the body, and with food is very activating for someone with an ED. Mindfulness skills help individuals gain insight into their patterns and behaviors and allow them to observe thoughts and feelings without judging or acting on them. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Individuals with EDs often report that they have difficulty asserting their needs, saying no to others, and putting their goals and desires before those of others. Often this comes from a place of fear (e.g., fearful of being rejected/disliked by others) or shame (e.g. the belief that one’s needs are not important). Maintaining relationships and negotiating needs with others is central to our wellbeing.  Interpersonal effectiveness skills will teach you how to effectively communicate with others and how to increase the likelihood of getting your needs met. Distress Tolerance: These skills are designed to help you get through a crisis without making matters worse. In this module, you will learn a range of strategies for coping with stress and crises in a way that minimizes harm and is in line with your values. These are often the first skills you learn to use to interrupt symptoms and gain confidence that there is a different way of navigating difficult situations. Emotion Regulation:Unlike distress tolerance skills, emotion regulation skills are the daily things we teach you to do to improve quality of life and reduce vulnerability to “emotion mind”. You will learn how to observe and describe your emotional world without fear, judgment, or self-hatred. These skills emphasize the adaptive nature of all emotions, teach you how to solve problems, change your emotions when needed, and challenge myths about emotions. 

What Does DBT for Eating Disorders LOOK LIKE?

This evidence-based approach is designed for people with Bulimia or Binge Eating Disorder who DO NOT have major co-occurring conditions that need attention. In DBT, these models are suited for people where the individual is more stable and not in crisis. This approach is also skill-based only and offered individually or in a group setting. It is NOT comprehensive DBT and is not designed for people struggling with suicide/self-injury or other co-occurring difficulties.

At Amanda Doty Counseling, DBT for Eating Disorders is offered both individually and in a group setting.

DBT for Eating Disorder Group starts Saturday afternoons, mid-October, $40 per group, please contact me regarding insurance accepted and Superbill questions