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by Robin Sharma
A Step-by-Step Guide to Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT Made Simple by Sheri Van Dijk is a guide for people struggling with difficult emotions and self-destructive behaviors. It introduces a proven therapy called Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and walks the reader through its concepts and techniques.
Your journey through life can often feel like a constant struggle to maintain equilibrium amidst a storm of feelings and despair. But what if there was a guiding light in this relentless tempest – one that not only illuminates the way forward but also empowers you to navigate through the turmoil with grace and resilience?
That’s where dialectical behavior therapy or DBT comes in, comprising a potent compass guiding you through your emotional tempests. Drawing from the practicality of cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT and the mindfulness techniques of Eastern philosophy, DBT presents a unique approach to understanding and navigating your emotions.
Unlike CBT, which often follows specific procedures and protocols, DBT operates on principles that provide therapists – and anyone implementing its strategies – a remarkable level of flexibility. This malleability is particularly beneficial when managing varied emotional challenges, even extending its efficacy beyond traditional therapeutic environments to individuals facing difficulties with emotion regulation.
DBT is built on a principle called biosocial theory, created by Marsha Linehan, DBT's founder. This theory explains that difficulties in handling emotions come from both nature and nurture – in other words, your biology and your environment.
For example, some people might naturally be more sensitive to emotions due to their genetic makeup. These individuals are said to have high emotional vulnerability. When they grow up in environments that don't support or understand their emotional needs, they might struggle more with regulating their emotions.
These unsupportive environments take many forms. It could be a home where expressing emotions is discouraged, for example, or a school where a sensitive child is teased. This mix of personal sensitivity and invalidating environments can sometimes lead to more severe emotional challenges, such as borderline personality disorder.
The beauty of DBT lies in its dialectical approach, which acknowledges these challenges while also recognizing the inherent capacity for change and growth within each individual. It doesn’t ignore the difficulties but embraces them, treating them as opportunities for transformation. DBT encourages both acceptance of current circumstances and an active striving for change, blending these seemingly contradictory perspectives to find an evolving truth – in other words, a middle path.
The potency of DBT extends far beyond the realm of therapy and mental health professionals. Anyone facing life's challenges can employ DBT strategies to better manage their emotions and adapt to their environment, offering a more balanced and healthier way to engage with the world. What’s more is that a growing body of evidence points to DBT as an effective tool for anyone seeking to better navigate their emotional landscape, offering hope for smoother, healthier journeys through life's storms.
DBT Made Simple (2023) is your passport to navigating the complex terrain of emotional well-being. Unraveling the practical strategies of dialectical behavior therapy, it empowers you to turn life’s challenges into catalysts for personal growth and resilience.
DBT Made Simple by Sheri Van Dijk (2013) is a practical guide that offers valuable insights and strategies for understanding and managing emotions effectively. Here's why this book is worth reading:
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Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of DBT Made Simple?
DBT Made Simple teaches practical skills for managing emotions and improving relationships.
How long does it take to read DBT Made Simple?
Reading time for DBT Made Simple varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is DBT Made Simple a good book? Is it worth reading?
DBT Made Simple is worth reading because it provides practical tools for emotional management and self-improvement.
Who is the author of DBT Made Simple?
The author of DBT Made Simple is Sheri Van Dijk.