Thriving with DBT

The conversation delves into the GIVE skill in interpersonal effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of validation and self-validation. It explores the impact of invalidation and the challenges of self-validation, highlighting the need for compassionate understanding and acceptance of one's emotions. Takeaways The GIVE skill is a powerful tool for effective communication and relationship buildin...

The conversation begins with a mindfulness exercise and reflection, leading to the introduction of the Dear Man skill for interpersonal effectiveness. The discussion progresses to the preparation for using the Dear Man skill, followed by a breakdown of the skill's components: Describe, Express, Assert, Reinforce, Appear Confident, and Negotiate. The conversation concludes with a deep dive into the...

Conflict avoidance feels safe until it starts costing you. In Week 1 of the Interpersonal Effectiveness module, Dr. Alicia Smart and Edward discuss the hidden barriers to genuine connection, including communication myths and the pull toward people-pleasing. Together, they dive into one of the hardest parts of relating to others: balancing your goals, your relationships, and your self-respect witho...

Emotion regulation doesn't start with feelings. It starts with sleep and the other daily habits that set your emotional baseline. Dr. Alicia Smart and Edward finish the Emotion Regulation module by unpacking the PLEASE skill, mindfulness practices, coping ahead, and the role of acceptance in managing anxiety. Edward gets candid about his real-world experience with each skill including how anxiety...

If anxiety or fear show up when you need to speak honestly, this one is for you. Feeling emotionally reactive in high-pressure moments is something most people experience yet few have a concrete plan for. Dr. Alicia Smart and Edward explore how DBT skills like Building Mastery and Cope Ahead can help you prepare for difficult situations before they happen. They walk through practical tools for reg...

Worry has a way of stealing the moments that are supposed to feel good. Edward gets candid about the struggle to be present, the weight of constant worry, and spreading yourself too thin. From mindfulness practices to the role of pleasant events in mood regulation, this conversation offers a grounded look at building resilience from the inside out. Takeaways Mindfulness as a Mood Regulation Tool T...

Anger can be one of the hardest emotions to sit with, especially when it feels completely justified. Dr. Alicia Smart and Edward dig into two powerful DBT skills, Opposite Action and Problem Solving, and what it actually looks like to use them when emotions are running high. From navigating real-life anger to applying mindfulness in everyday moments, this conversation offers a practical and ground...

Catastrophic thinking can feel convincing until you examine it closely. This episode dives into the DBT skill "Check the Facts" as a practical way to untangle cognitive distortions and the anticipatory anxiety that comes with uncertainty. The conversation also explores building an emotional dictionary, processing sadness, and practicing radical acceptance when the pain is still fresh. Takeaways Ob...

Ever wondered what actually happens inside a DBT program? Join expert therapists Dr. Alicia Smart and Dr. Jesse Finkelstein in "Thriving with DBT." In each episode, they conduct real one-on-one coaching sessions with students from TheraHive’s group program. Gain a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are practiced, where people often get stuck, and how to master...

The conversation covers the introduction to emotion regulation and SMART goals, the practice of mindfulness and breathing, the development of emotional resilience and decision making, coping with high-stakes situations and pressure, the use of distress tolerance and skill stacking, and the challenge of tolerating uncertainty and fear-based thinking. The conversation delves into the exploration of...