NY Times article on DBT and CBT

Click to here for a recent NY Times article on therapy.  The article points to evidence suggesting that many patients do not receive evidence-based treatment, such as DBT and CBT.

This Week in Adolescent and Adult DBT Group...

Both of our groups are still on the same topic. This week we will review the FAST skill and review the whole Interpersonal Effectiveness module.  The FAST skill is used as a way to keep respect for yourself in relationships; for example, when you are using the GIVE skill over and over and the relationship is not improving.  FAST stands for: (be) FAIR, (no) APOLOGIES, STICK TO VALUES, and (be) TRUTHFUL. 

This week in Adolescent and Adult DBT groups...

We are finally in the same place in both our Adolescent and Family and Adult DBT Groups!  This week we are reviewing the DEAR MAN skill in the Interpersonal Effectiveness module and teaching the GIVE skill.  DEAR MAN has to do with asking for something effectively or saying no.  To do this we Describe the situation, Express our feelings about the situation, Assert ourselves, and lastly, Reward the other person ahead of time.  We do all of this while at the same time taking hold of our Mind, Appearing confident, and Negotiating. 

The GIVE skill has to do with how to keep a good relationship.  To this we (act) Gentle, (act) Interested, Validate, and (use an) Easy Manner.  This skill takes practice, especially when you have negative emotions!

Article on Exercise and Stress

Click here to read an article from this week's NY Times about how exercise can help protect children and adolescents (and adults, too!) from stress.  This is similar to the PLEASE skills in DBT in which balanced levels of exercise can help reduce emotional vulnerability. 

Article on Anti-Depressants and Therapy

Click here to see an interesting article on how therapy may be a helpful treatment for people with depression who have not improved with medication.