Who benefits from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?

DBT is for people who have trouble dealing with intense emotions. A person may have developed coping skills which seem to relieve stress in the short term. However, in the long term this tends to interfere with their quality of life.

These coping skills may take the form of
• Ongoing emotional distress
• Impulsive risk taking
• Chronic interpersonal conflict
• Uncontrollable or repressed anger
• Self-injurious behavior
• Suicide attempts
• Withdrawal from work, family, and social relationships

DBT is not only for people with severe or life threatening behaviors. In fact, it is highly effective for people with long term anxiety or depression, bi-polar disorders, issues with perfectionism, self-esteem, or people who have difficulty identifying, naming or expressing their emotion effectively.

How does it work?

DBT consists of two parts.

1. A weekly emotional skills training class where we focus on:
• Mindfulness – learning to relax and trust yourself.
• Emotional regulation – becoming more in control of your emotions.
• Distress tolerance – learning to cope with problems without creating more of a crisis.
• Interpersonal effectiveness – creating more rewarding relationships.

2. Weekly individual sessions where you learn to apply the skills to your individual situation.

Nuts and bolts

• The DBT groups are ongoing, and one can join anytime.
• The first group is held at Kristen Lund’s office on Monday nights 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• The second group is on Tuesdays 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Both male and female adults are eligible for the group.
• Most medical insurance companies cover DBT.
• Kristen Lund facilitates both DBT groups and individual DBT treatments.
• If you need an individual DBT therapist you can use me, or I can refer you to another therapist.

If you are interested or have questions, please call or email me.

Kristen Lund, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W.
Email: kristenlund.lund@gmail.com
Phone: 612-245-4683