Being Seen, Being You: DBT Skills for a Life Worth Living with Dr. Kiki Fehling

For the therapist who might incorporate a DBT skill here or there but has always wondered what else there is to know...In this conversation, Dr. Kiki Fehling a clinical psychologist and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Certified researcher discusses her journey into Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), its structure, and its application, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community. She explains the importance of consultation teams, the role of mindfulness, and the dialectical approach of acceptance and change. Dr. Fehling shares insights on key DBT skills, such as distress tolerance and opposite action, and highlights the goal of building a life worth living. The discussion also touches on self-care techniques and resources for clinicians interested in DBT. We left you on a a cliffhanger, but the show Dr. Kiki enjoyed and recently finished was...drumroll please...Dying for Sex.Takeaways:DBT was created to help those struggling with BPD and suicidality.The therapy consists of individual sessions, skills groups, phone coaching, and consultation teams.Consultation teams provide essential support for DBT therapists.DBT is effective for various mental health issues beyond BPD, including anxiety and PTSD.Mindfulness skills help individuals reconnect with their emotions and identities.Dialectics emphasizes that acceptance and change can coexist.The goal of DBT is to help clients build a life worth living.Distress tolerance kits are practical tools for managing crises.Opposite action is a powerful skill for changing unhelpful emotional responses.Self-validation is crucial for personal well-being and self-care.Using Skillfull Means to become aware of the being mind vs. the doing mindKeywords:DBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mental Health, LGBTQIA+, Coping Skills, Mindfulness, Self-Validation, Consultation Teams, Emotion Regulation, Therapy TechniquesFor More Information, check out: https://www.kikifehling.com/Want to learn more about DBT?Self Directed DBT Skills WorkbookDBT Skills Training Manual- Dr. Marsha LinehanAnd, the book Dr. Fehling is reading is Queer Dharma...Skillfull Means00:00Introduction to DBT and Dr. Kiki Fehling01:53Understanding DBT: Structure and Purpose04:54The Importance of Consultation Teams in DBT07:46DBT's Application in the LGBTQIA+ Community10:48Key DBT Skills for Coping with Minority Stress13:42Mindfulness and Non-Judgment in DBT18:29Dialectics: Acceptance and Change in Therapy23:05Building a Life Worth Living with DBT26:20Creating a Distress Tolerance Kit31:58Utilizing Opposite Action in Coping Strategies39:19The Fluidity of Self-Exploration and Change40:05Resources for Learning DBT42:49Encouragement for Clinicians to Share Knowledge51:29Self-Care Techniques and Recommendations&The Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly conversation with Lorain Moorehead, LCSW a therapist in private practice.  With guests ranging from expert psychologists, therapists, researchers and authors, each episode offers a deep dive and keeps listeners from intern to advanced supervisor  in mind while dropping gems and aha moments for everyone who loves to learn! If you love learning and want to keep track of some future learning opportunities, grab your personal curriculum here!If you liked this episode, feel free to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us be a top mental health podcast and resource.  See you next week!