The Skillful Podcast

Are you a therapist who wants the experience of being in a DBT skills group yourself? Are you curious about how the skills can help YOU?
 
Marielle and Ed are starting a new skills group designed specifically for therapists to learn the skills together in a supportive online environment. We are excited to offer this group.
 
For more information and to sign up visit www.dbtskillsgroupfortherapists.com
Resources
DBT Skills Handouts and Worksheets

Ask us a Question
We'd love to hear from you! Where are you getting stuck with your skills application? Ask us a question for the chance to have it answered on the podcast. Submit your question here.
Please note that questions, and this podcast in general, are not a substitute for individual mental health treatment.

What DBT skill do you use when your emotion fits the facts? One option is to work on changing the facts. The skill of Problem Solving offers a structured framework to help you change situations that cause painful emotions.
 
Problem Solving begins, like many of the Emotion Regulation skills in DBT, by naming your emotion. Next, identify your goal in solving the problem and come up with a solution to meet your goal. Break the solution down into small steps. Finally, take action.
 
Check in with your Wise Mind when using this skill, because Emotion Mind may distort facts or obscure solutions. Practicing this skill can feel like a lot! This episode walks you through each part of this multi-layered skill.
 
For full show notes, visit our website: https://bayareadbtcc.com/podcast
DBT Skills Discussed
The "What" Skills of Mindfulness

Check the Facts

Opposite Action

Resources
DBT Skills Handouts and Worksheets

Ask us a Question
We'd love to hear from you! Where are you getting stuck with your skills application? Ask us a question for the chance to have it answered on the podcast. Submit your question here.
Please note that questions, and this podcast in general, are not a substitute for individual mental health treatment.

Today's episode discusses the DBT skill of Willingness.
 
Willingness is one of the reality acceptance skills that we teach in Distress Tolerance. This skill can help you let go of fighting what is so you can do what's needed in each situation - without dragging your feet or holding onto a grudge.
 
One way to understand Willingness is to think of its opposite: Willfulness. When Willfulness is present, you're fighting reality, trying to control things, or being passive when action is needed. Your Willfulness might show up differently depending on the situation.
 
For full show notes, visit our website: https://bayareadbtcc.com/podcast
DBT Skills Discussed
Distress Tolerance Part 2
Radical Acceptance
Turning the Mind
Half-smile
Willing Hands
Ask us a Question
We'd love to hear from you! Where are you getting stuck with your skills application? Ask us a question for the chance to have it answered on the podcast. Submit your question here.
Please note that questions, and this podcast in general, are not a substitute for individual mental health treatment.

Once you have grasp of the DEAR MAN skill, you might find yourself getting stuck when you try to use it in difficult interactions. Maybe the other person pushes back, tries to change the subject, or refuses to engage fairly.
 
While we can't force anyone to do anything, we can continue to use our skills to stay as effective as possible during heated moments.
 
For full show notes, visit our website: https://bayareadbtcc.com/podcast
DBT Skills Discussed
DEAR MAN

Introduction to Distress Tolerance & the STOP skill

The "What" Skills of Mindfulness

The "How" Skills of Mindfulness

Ask us a Question
We'd love to hear from you! Where are you getting stuck with your skills application? Ask us a question for the chance to have it answered on the podcast. Submit your question here.
Please note that questions, and this podcast in general, are not a substitute for individual mental health treatment.

Once you have a grasp of the change-oriented skills in DBT (such as Check the Facts, Opposite Action, and Problem Solving) it can be hard to figure out which one to use.
 
This episode walks you through deciding if and when to act on an unwanted emotion.
For full show notes, visit our website: https://bayareadbtcc.com/podcast
DBT Skills Discussed
Check the Facts
Mindfulness of Current Emotions
Problem Solving
Opposite Action
Emotions Explained: Shame
Ask us a Question
We'd love to hear from you! Where are you getting stuck with your skills application? Ask us a question for the chance to have it answered on the podcast. Submit your question here.
Please note that questions, and this podcast in general, are not a substitute for individual mental health treatment.