WELCOME TO MORRISTOWN DBT

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

provider contact us

All groups are currently being conducted

remotely via a HIPAA compliant version of Zoom.