What is DBT?
DBT is an acronym which stands for Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
The word Dialectical has Greek origins and speaks about seeking balance in the way we live our lives.
“The main idea of dialectics is that there is an opposite of everything, and we tend to be the most effective when we can find balance between opposites. So, being dialectical means finding a balance.”(Eich, J. 2015).
DBT is a behavioural therapy because it pays attention to our thoughts and behaviours and provides an opportunity to change the unhealthy parts of our lives.
When your teen is going through a difficult time, it is hard not to be impacted by it. DBT offers parents the skills to cope and provides ways of effectively responding to challenging situations.
The course covers common difficulties parents with adolescents face and explores the developmental dilemmas inherent in adolescence.
DBT for Parents covers the following:
- Mindfulness Skills: At the foundation of DBT is mindfulness as it builds a deeper awareness of ourselves and our children. This facilitates the ability to recognize our own state of mind and the state of mind of our little ones.
- Emotional Regulation Skills: Next the course covers emotional identification skills.
- Distress Tolerance: How to manage during times of crisis.
- Interpersonal effectiveness: These skills help build a better connection and clearer communication with your teen.
Sessions are held in a group or individual therapy setting and run over 10 sessions.
Please Note: DBT holds the assumption that every parent is already doing their best and that growth does not come from blaming ourselves or others.