Rejecting reality does not change reality. Changing reality requires first accepting reality. Pain can’t be avoided; it is nature’s way of signaling that something is wrong. Rejecting reality turns pain into suffering. Refusing to accept reality can keep you stuck in unhappiness, bitterness, anger. NOTE: Person Growth Worksheets will not be used as homework. These are for your use only. Please DO NOT Submit any filled in sheets in Lesson Group.

1. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Certification
2. What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
3. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Definition

We all use pros and cons to make decisions. This skill can be very helpful when you need to make a decision between two or more options. The objective when using this skill is for you to realize that accepting reality and tolerating distress leads to better outcomes versus rejecting reality and refusing to tolerate distress.

Here's How:

First describe the dilemma at hand. In the event it is crisis behavior that you are hoping to avoid, we would want to look at the pros and cons of the behavior that in the short run, long run, or both is damaging and inconsistent with your goals. Next, examine the pros and cons of the crisis behavior or acting on your urges. Then examine the advantages & disadvantages (or pros and cons) for each of the viable options. Before a crisis behavior occurs, it is helpful to write out the pros and cons and carry them with you so that you can be reminded and rehearse the skill over and over.

• 1
  Describe the crisis behavior you are trying to avoid.
• 2
  Examine the pros and cons of the crisis behavior / acting on your urges.
• 3
  Examine the advantages & disadvantages (or pros and cons) for each of the viable options.

When A Crisis Urge Occurs:

• Review your pros and cons. Get your list and read it over again.
• Imagine the positive consequences of resisting the urge.
• Think about the negative consequences of giving into the crisis behaviors.
• Remember past consequences when you acted on the crisis urges.

Contributor: Dena Cabrera, Psy.D., CEDS, is the Clinical Director of the Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders.

The Impact of Body Image

We’ve all been there.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Certification

The camera snaps a picture and you take a look to see what the camera captured only to realize that shadows distorted the image, creating the illusion that you look much differently than you actually do.

For those who suffer from body image distortion, that illusion is their reality. These individuals may:

• Have a distorted perception of their weight, shape, and size
• Be convinced that other people are attractive but they themselves are not
• Feel ashamed or anxious about their appearance
• Feel uncomfortable or awkward in their own body

The Body Image and Eating Disorder Connection

The problem with negative body image is that it can ultimately lead to an eating disorder. Once the anxiety and pressure to achieve and maintain an imaginary appearance begins to dictate eating habits and actions, an eating disorder has taken hold.

Restricting or purging food can set in motion a pattern of behavior that is not only difficult to break, but dangerous. In order to successfully treat an eating disorder, body image distortions must also be addressed.

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that allows individuals to manage difficult emotions in a non-destructive way.

We are surrounded by emotions and thoughts. Some are positive and others not. These emotions and thoughts can create an internal set of rules on how to behave.

DBT teaches individuals how to recognize those thoughts that trigger reactive emotional states to help find the middle ground; a place where destructive thoughts can be observed from a non-judgmental view-point, breaking the connection between emotions and reactive behavior.

By acquiring the skill set to reduce emotional reactivity, those who struggle with a variety of self-destructive patterns are better able to recognize and manage their circumstances.

The Duality of Change

DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness to create change alongside of self-acceptance. At its core, mindfulness teaches individuals how to accept and tolerate powerful emotions.

At first, this may seem like a paradox. How can one learn acceptance while simultaneously commit to change? It’s about finding the middle ground, a space where non-judgment can coexist with new patterns of behavior.

How Does DBT Help Body Image?

Many people who suffer from negative body image are also emotionally reactive and intense. These characteristics make it difficult to find balance in life.

What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

DBT teaches the skills necessary to regulate emotions by teaching mindfulness techniques that allow for balance and self-acceptance. These skills are used to challenge body image distortions when they surface, as well as the shame and fear that often accompanies eating disorders and negative body image.

The mindfulness techniques taught in DBT take time and practice to adopt. But with that time and practice comes the path to a happy and healthy life.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What has been your experience with dialectical behavioral therapy? How did it assist you with your body image challenges?

About the author:

Dena Cabrera, Psy.D., CEDS, is the Clinical Director of the Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders. Dr. Cabrera oversees all clinical aspects of patient care, leads program development and directs staff training and supervision throughout the Rosewood system.

Prior to being appointed as Rosewoods’ Clinical Director, Dr. Cabrera served two years in the role of Clinical Director of Adolescent Services, and Director of The Rosewood Institute.

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Definition

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on June 25th, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com