Using self-harm as a way to cope is a temporary solution. It’s a distraction from facing deeper internal wounds. And while you can run from these deep, complex emotions for some time, you can’t escape them forever.
Our DBT therapists have worked with individuals like you for decades. They’ve helped them look internally and evaluate why they engage in self-injury. And above all, they have helped others find healthy solutions to managing unbearable emotional pain.
Our team specializes in providing a comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program. DBT is unique in that it has three fundamental parts that make it so effective. These components include individual psychotherapy sessions and phone coaching with a DBT therapist along with a DBT skills group. The well-rounded support that these three elements provide makes all the difference in helping you find healthy behaviors for dealing with life’s challenges.
Individual Psychotherapy Sessions
You will meet with your individual therapist weekly for psychotherapy sessions. This may sound intimidating at first, and we get that. Talking about the depths of your life with a therapist, who at the beginning of treatment is essentially a stranger, can be difficult. And it’s likely that you’ve never shared about your self-harm behaviors before.
However, all of our therapists have experience working with others who have used self-harm to cope. So, your therapist will understand that it may take you some time to get comfortable with them and open up. And part of their role in your treatment is to create a space where you feel safe to share challenging feelings and experiences.
In psychotherapy sessions, you and your DBT therapist will work together to analyze the thoughts and beliefs that have led you to self-harm. Understanding why you engage in these behaviors is part of helping you prepare to swap them with healthier ones.
DBT Skills Group
One of the main focuses of DBT is to integrate new skills into your life to replace the old. You will learn these skills, along with specific behaviors to engage in each skill, in DBT skills group. During group sessions, there will be other therapists and clients in the space, which can help you feel supported and validated. The four skills that group sessions will focus on are mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. In group, you will learn about specific ways to use these skills in your everyday life when the urge to injure arises.
Phone Coaching
An important part of DBT is phone coaching. What is phone coaching? Well, it means that you are able to contact your therapist whenever you need to. When distressing experiences occur, you are put in a position in which you have a choice. You can choose to engage in healthy or unhealthy behavior to deal with the painful feelings that come up.
And when you feel compelled to self-harm, you can reach out to your therapist. They will listen without judgment and help you slow down while walking you through your options. Having your therapist readily available when you’re not in group or individual sessions can make a world of a difference.