CLINICAL & FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSULTING SERVICES, CFPCS, LLC
WHAT IS DBT THERAPY?
DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It is a comprehensive approach for the treatment of
individuals who have difficulties managing their feelings, behaviors, thoughts, and relationships.
A dialectic is an apparent contradiction or represents polar opposites. A dialectical dilemma is when
two seemingly opposite things might be true, such as; someone can love and hurt you at the same
time. Oftentimes, we think in terms of black and white, right or wrong, but things are rarely that
simple. DBT helps to find the balance and truth between seemingly polar opposites; that grey area
that considers all aspects of a situation or event. For example, DBT treatment is rooted in finding
the balance between acceptance and change. On the one hand, there is a radical, non-judgmental
acceptance of your circumstances and who you are at the current time. But at the same time, there
is a constant push for change and doing things differently and effectively. This is one of the main
dialectics that guides the treatment. The approach utilizes both individual and group therapy
treatments to maximize on benefits.
HOW DOES DBT WORK?
It asks you to commit to treatment
It helps assess your situation and the areas of
functioning that are causing pain or problems
It looks at your life mindfully, gaining meaning
through observation and without judgment
It looks for “both & and” in situations instead
of “either & or”
It balances the need to acknowledge and accept
your reality while simultaneously working
to improve it
It asks you to learn and practice new ways of
thinking, behaving and coping
It asks you to take notice of how you
think, feel and act
DBT GROUP SKILLS
There are four major components of the
educational sessions
MINDFULNESS
Learn how to be in the moment and aware
of situations and judgments rather than always
being lost in your thoughts
EMOTIONAL REGULATION
Learn how to experience, understand, and
ultimately change your relationship to emotions
so that emotions that hurt you linger less and
emotions that benefit you linger more
DISTRESS TOLERANCE
Learn how to put up with emotions and
situations that hurt but can’t be changed without creating more problems for you or others
INTERPERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Learn how to enjoy and build healthy
relationships where you are able to set limits,
stand up for your values, and be empathetic,
direct, and diplomatic
WHO CAN JOIN?
Anyone 14 or older, who is currently in
regular individual therapy, or in treatment
with a psychiatrist, that could benefit from
learning skills to cope with stress and overwhelming emotions
Teen Group - 14 to 17 yrs old
Adult Group - 18 and older
Parents group - for parents/caregivers only
Please call for group days & times
Groups are one hour long and are led by
Dr. Rafanello and/or one of the DBT therapists
The fee is $100 each time you attend
HOW TO JOIN
Contact Dr. Rafanello or have your treatment
All groups are currently being conducted
remotely via a HIPAA compliant version of Zoom.