“This might surprise you, but one of the best ways to manage your emotions is simply to experience that emotion and let it run its course”

—Kim L. Gratz

Why DBT Skills?

DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) skills are important in mental health for a variety of reasons. DBT is a form of therapy that focuses on teaching individuals skills to manage difficult emotions, communicate effectively, and navigate interpersonal relationships. Some reasons why DBT skills are important in mental health include:

  1. Emotion regulation: DBT skills teach individuals how to identify, understand, and regulate intense emotions. This is important because difficulty regulating emotions is a common feature of many mental health conditions.

  2. Interpersonal effectiveness: DBT skills help individuals communicate effectively and navigate interpersonal relationships. This is important because relationships are a major source of stress and can contribute to the development and maintenance of mental health conditions.

  3. Distress tolerance: DBT skills teach individuals how to tolerate distressing situations without resorting to maladaptive coping strategies. This is important because many mental health conditions are characterized by difficulty coping with stress.

  4. Mindfulness: DBT skills incorporate mindfulness practices, which can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This can be helpful in managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

“Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it”

—Michael J. Fox