Lakeside Quarterly
April 16, 2021 – Edition 1, Volume 1
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
By Edward Flynn MA, LPC, NBCCH, DBTC
Edward Flynn is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, and Nationally Certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist/ Instructor with 7 years of clinical practice treating clients experiencing symptoms of childhood trauma, PTSD, LGBTQIA+ concerns, borderline personality and other maladaptive mental health disorders.
DBT, the acronym for Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a method of processing both sides of the mind-emotion response to situations and finding a “middle path” in between thinking and emotional response. In stressful situations when there is a reaction based on instinct, there is no premediated response to balance between mind and emotion. Therefore, response not reaction is mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the result of “Calm Reflection”.
DBT teaches clients how to use mindfulness to demonstrate distress tolerance skills of “Being Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations”, and the act of being mindful in the mind and in the body (Mind-Body Coordination) which improves psycho-emotional intelligence (inner-control).
DBT was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan PhD as a method of improving maladaptive behaviors such as self-injury, suicidal thoughts (passive and severe) and borderline behaviors such as social hypersensitivity (quickly becoming highly emotional in social environments/relationships). DBT instructors assist clients with emotion regulation and distress tolerance techniques that increases the client’s ability to tolerate stress by processing the mind-body connection to stress and how to utilize mindfulness stress reduction techniques to significantly reduce stress.
DBT is currently one of the most popular modes of therapy for individuals and groups because it is a positive outcome solution focused treatment system that uses mindfulness as its central focus. Mindfulness assists clients with enhancing awareness of emotionally charged situations in real time as well as aid clients with being aware of the emotions of others by identifying emotional situations in “real time” which means “as it occurs”. Practicing mindfulness stress reduction techniques teaches the clients to sense situations developing which gives the client time to “cope ahead” of the situation, not making the situation worse; known in DBT as “Wise Mind”.
Intensive Outpatient Therapy Program (IOP)
Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP) is a treatment program for those who are in need of intensive care, but wish to maintain their daily lives. The objective of this therapeutic technique is to facilitate the individual in maintaining quality of life while learning effective methods to manage their emotions and care for themselves.
In IOP, patients discuss topics and learn coping skills that empower and assist them in their recovery. IOP functions as a short term program that is a step down from in-patient care. One further step down from IOP would be one-on-one therapy, which is often implemented as the discharge plan.
People seeking IOP often do so to obtain treatment for symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, impulsivity, substance abuse, eating disorders, loss of ability to function, and more. Interventional means that may be introduced in IOP can be Dialectical Behavioral Therapy which can include Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, in which focuses on challenging cognitive distortions or behavioral reactions in order to improve emotional regulation, personal coping skills, and problem solving.
IOP is introduced by discussion with a therapist that assesses patient background and status of health, in which a treatment plan is then created. A treatment plan for IOP at Lakeside Behavioral consists of a group therapy session facilitated by a licensed therapist. These sessions take place 3 times a week for 3 hours per session. The initial program offered at Lakeside Behavioral consists of group therapy sessions facilitated by a licensed therapist. These sessions take place 3 times a week for 3 hours per session. The initial program offered at Lakeside Behavioral is offered in a 6-week time frame, in which weekly appointments with a licensed psychiatrist are also held for the program’s duration. Supplemental individual therapy can be provided throughout the program if the therapist and patient decide it can be beneficial. The completion of the IOP program consists of a discharge plan, in which step-down care will be implemented.
To contact Lakeside Behavioral for more information on our IOP program, you can reach Trish at (314)-930-3520 (ext. # 3). Scheduling can be done to start the program within 24-48 hours. The cost will depend on insurance benefits. Lakeside Behavioral accepts most major insurances including Anthem BCBS, United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Meritain, and more. Reach out to Lakeside Behavioral for any further questions.
Staff Spotlight: Rosemary Loethen
What do you do at Lakeside Behavioral Health?
First and foremost, I am a TMS technician. However, I have also taken on much of Lakeside’s community outreach and engagement on our social media platforms.
What are your long-term goals?
I plan to transfer to the University of Missouri Saint Louis this fall to finish my bachelor in Psychology with a trauma certificate. From there, I hope to earn my Masters in Counseling to become a Licensed Professional Counselor, certified as a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist.
What is your favorite place in STL?
My favorite place, hands down, is Scottrade Center. There’s nothing I love more than being down by the glass, cheering on the Saint Louis Blues, or being immersed in the music and energy of a concert. There’s just something really special about being surrounded by a crowd of both friends and strangers, all living in the moment together.
What is something you’d like to share?
It was not your choice to struggle with mental illness or addiction; however, it is your responsibility to take steps to manage or recover from one. This isn’t fair, and it is okay if it makes you feel angry or sad. My hope for you is that you can take that anger and sadness and use it to propel you towards recovery instead of allowing it to keep you stuck. There is a light on the other side of the darkness you are experiencing, and the only thing that can keep you from a brighter tomorrow is the self-limiting lie that begins with “I can’t.” It’s okay if you can’t hold that hope for yourself just yet; until you are ready, I will continue holding that hope for you.