Comprehensive interview on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with Laura Schenck, M.A., Ph.D. student and psychotherapist specializing in mindfulness-based behavioral therapies. Learn what dialectical behavior therapy is, how it differs from traditional CBT, and why it’s particularly effective for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and emotion regulation challenges. Discover DBT’s foundation in mindfulness—directing nonjudgmental, open, accepting, and curious attention to the present moment. Understand the four core DBT skills modules: mindfulness (present-moment awareness), distress tolerance (sitting with uncomfortable emotions without self-destructive behaviors), emotion regulation (identifying and managing emotional states), and interpersonal effectiveness (communicating and relating to others effectively). Explore the “wise mind” concept—accessing deep intuitive knowing that balances emotion mind and reason mind. Laura explains how DBT teaches that “in order to move through painful experiences, we must be willing to identify them, accept their presence, refrain from judgment, and ultimately release them.” Includes guidance on DBT training resources and applications for clients beyond BPD diagnosis.
Exploring Alice Miller’s “The Drama of the Gifted Child”
Have you read the book The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self by Alice Miller? If not, I highly recommend it. Alice Miller has much wisdom and knowledge to share with you – whether you are a mental health professional or a lay person trying to get a better understanding of […]
Safety Tips for Social Workers [2 of 2]
Are you a social worker or other mental health provider looking for some work safety guidance? Charles Ennis, a former police officer on a Mental Health Emergency Services Unit in Canada, is back to provide you with some priceless tips on how to keep safe whether you are making home visits, or seeing clients in your office. […]
Social Worker Safety [1 of 2]
Are you a social worker or another type of helping professional who would like to know how to keep safe in your place of employment? Charles Ennis, a former police officer on a Mental Health Emergency Services Unit in Canada, will be helping us address this very important question. He has not only trained many agencies and their […]
A Day in the Life of a Prison Social Worker
Have you ever wondered what a typical day would be like for a social worker who works in a prison setting? This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Kays, a social worker, LGSW, who works with women at a prison in the Northeast region of the United States and will be able to […]
