The Grouport Journal

Explore all things mental health. Check out some of our latest journals below.

5 Signs a DBT Skills Group is Exactly What You Need

DBT

5 Signs a DBT Skills Group is Exactly What You Need

Do you feel like you can’t get ahead? Like life is just beating you down, or that challenges are overwhelming you to the point of chronic, debilitating anxiety, depression, PTSD, disordered eating, insomnia, or other mental health concerns? Do you feel like your emotions run your life, and you’re exhausted by the ups and downs? If these experiences are familiar to you, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, could be the solution you’re looking for. ‍If you’re unfamiliar with this type of tre

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How DBT Skills Help With Everyday Stressors

DBT

How DBT Skills Help With Everyday Stressors

No matter who you are, the reality is that you will eventually deal with stress of some kind. This is a simple fact of human existence. Jobs, children, relationships, health, driving, you name it - everyone will experience stress.‍Unmanaged stress can increase your risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, Alzheimers’s, depression, GI problems, diabetes, and asthma, along with chronic physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, and insomnia. ‍When looking to manage stress, it’s importan

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DBT Skills for Developing Self-Compassion

DBT

DBT Skills for Developing Self-Compassion

Although not frequently discussed when referring to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training, self-compassion is a beneficial and powerful side effect of this specialized type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). ‍Part of the reason DBT can result in a greater sense of self-compassion is that throughout the DBT modules, students will learn to activate their “wise mind,” which is essentially a stronger and more powerful awareness of yourself, your emotions, your instincts, and yo

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DBT Skills for Coping With Job Loss

DBT

DBT Skills for Coping With Job Loss

Careers fulfill a number of functions in our lives, including satisfying our need to achieve, bringing us income, creating a sense of belonging and stability, and helping us to feel empowered and accomplished. Therefore, when losing a job (which can often be so integrated with your identity), we can notice an immediate and significant decline in your mental health. According to a Gallup poll in 2013, unemployed Americans are more than 2x as likely to be treated for depression as those with full-

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Understanding Anxiety Disorders and the Power of DBT

DBT

Understanding Anxiety Disorders and the Power of DBT

Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, affecting millions. These disorders take various forms, each with distinct characteristics and symptoms. Fortunately, therapeutic approaches like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provide effective treatment options. Additionally, according to the U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services, there are five significant types of anxiety conditions, which will cover here. This article will delve into five common types of anxiety disorders and discuss how DBT can aid in managing their symptoms.

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How DBT Skills Help With Climate Anxiety

DBT

How DBT Skills Help With Climate Anxiety

As concerns rise for our climate and the future of our world, so does the anxiety that’s sweeping the planet. Increases in frequency of widespread wildfires and the length of wildfire season, along with rising temperatures and shifts in weather patterns leave many concerned and considering the long-term consequences for the Earth as well as the mental health of those who inhabit it. ‍The sobering ramifications of climate change are real, and present. It’s normal to react to these with emoti

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Utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Regulation: Three Quick Skills

DBT

Utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Regulation: Three Quick Skills

Anxiety can be an overwhelming and pervasive mental health challenge, affecting millions worldwide. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), emphasizing practical skills for managing distress and regulating emotions, can be useful for those looking to control their anxiety better. This article will highlight three quick DBT skills that can be used to regulate anxiety: "STOP," "TIPP," and "Wise Mind."

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How to Use DBT Skills to Cope in Crisis

DBT

How to Use DBT Skills to Cope in Crisis

If you’ve ever felt your emotions are so completely overwhelming that you can’t restabilize yourself and may return to unhealthy or high risk behaviors, DBT can help.  Helping individuals to cope in crisis situations is one of the primary goals of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). The skills and tools taught throughout DBT can be used in a variety of circumstances and throughout many daily experiences to minimize stress and reduce emotional suffering. If you’re dealing with a high-st

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DBT Skills to Know - Setting Goals

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Setting Goals

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally created for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder by Marsha Linehan in the 1970’s. This structured variation on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy consists of what is often a year-long process of walking through the four main modules, and usually involves both group therapy, individual therapy, and even on-call phone consultations to mitigate crisis situations in the patient’s life as they may arise. ‍While the initial phase of DBT invo

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DBT Skills to Know - Non-Judgmental Stance

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Non-Judgmental Stance

Developing a non-judgmental way of thinking is a critical component of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training, and falls under the Mindfulness module. Mindfulness helps teach participants to observe their own behavior, thoughts and feelings, and to stay grounded and present in the moment. Learning how to do this is the first step in developing new behaviors and making healthy changes. ‍The Mindfulness module of DBT focuses on our need to improve self-observation and awareness th

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DBT Skills to Know - Self-Soothing

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Self-Soothing

The Distress Tolerance module of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) incorporates a number of types of Distress Tolerance skills designed to help distract us and get us through challenging emotions in situations where we feel a loss of control. Decreasing emotional distress as a symptom of situational challenges is one of the primary goals of DBT. There are a number of skills trainings that go into the Distress Tolerance module which can help with this, including: ‍ACCEPTSTIP IMPRO

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How DBT Helps with Bipolar Disorder

DBT

How DBT Helps with Bipolar Disorder

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques are being used in increasing measure in the treatment of various mood disorders and mental health conditions beyond their original intended use (for Borderline Personality Disorder), including for Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder is a highly recurrent and disabling condition marked by major depressive state and manic episodes. ‍The reason DBT shows evidence of success in treatment of Bipolar Disorder is likely because there is growing reason t

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Minimizing Symptoms of PTSD

DBT

Minimizing Symptoms of PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive thoughts about the event. While PTSD is a serious condition, there are effective ways to minimize its symptoms and regain control over one's life. This article will explore strategies for reducing symptoms of PTSD, including mindfulness, exposure therapy, and cognitive restructuring.

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DBT Skills to Know - Emotional Regulation

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Emotional Regulation

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches critical skills relative to Emotional Regulation, which is arguably relevant for people of all backgrounds, behavior types, and with or without mental health conditions. We can all benefit from greater emotional regulation. ‍While emotions are important and feelings are relative in our relationships and day to day life and processing (they help us communicate and understand our experiences), they can also create a great deal of emotional suffering

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DBT Skills to Know - Radical Acceptance

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - Radical Acceptance

The concept of Radical Acceptance is rooted in the idea that all suffering originated not in pain, but in our attachment to pain. In fact, Radical Acceptance has origins in Buddhism with the tenant that relief from suffering begins first and foremost with acceptance. ‍As a Dialectical Behavior Therapy skill, Radical Acceptance refers to the ability to accept our situation when the circumstances are out of our control, which can reduce the suffering we feel. Instead of being attached to our

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DBT Skills to Know - How to Think and Act Dialectically

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - How to Think and Act Dialectically

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is, at its core, founded upon principles of Dialectical thinking, which involves an integration of two foundational opposites: acceptance and change. ‍Learning to think and act in a dialectical manner can open up your thought process and increase your awareness of the different nuances in the world around you, rather than allowing you to exist in extreme black and whites. Extreme highs and lows are what drive many of the mental health conditions DBT is use

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DBT Skills to Know - What is a “Wise Mind”?

DBT

DBT Skills to Know - What is a “Wise Mind”?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is a specific type of psychotherapy under the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy umbrella that was curated for Borderline Personality Disorder. However, this type of therapy has been proven to be successful in the treatment of a myriad of other mental health conditions, including but not limited to anyone struggling with: Overwhelming emotions.Impulsive behavior.Self injury.Suicidal thoughts.Substance abuse.Eating disorders.PTSD and other trauma disorders.&nbsp

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How DBT Skills Help Manage Eating Disorders

DBT

How DBT Skills Help Manage Eating Disorders

Over 28.8 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders are generally classified as a type of mental illness characterized by harmful behaviors related to food. Those with eating disorders (such as bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, ad more) usually struggle with impulsivity, compulsive behaviors, negative body image, and even coexisting conditions like depression, anxiety, and more. ‍Eating disorders are the second most deadly mental illness (the first is

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How DBT Helps with Managing Anxiety Disorders

DBT

How DBT Helps with Managing Anxiety Disorders

These days over 18% of US adults are living with an anxiety disorder. For many people living with chronic anxiety, experiencing a daily, significant and ongoing sense of fear or anxiety can lead to restlessness, panic attacks, isolation, poor sleep, and physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, body aches, stomach pain, and more. These and a host of other symptoms can be debilitating and may significantly decrease the sufferer’s quality of life. ‍Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is usu

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Essential Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills: Distress Tolerance and Mindfulness

DBT

Essential Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills: Distress Tolerance and Mindfulness

Are you interested in learning more about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)? This unique form of psychotherapy - a variation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can be used for a wide variety of mental health issues and conditions. While DBT was specifically developed for treating individuals who have difficulty managing and regulating their own emotions, (such as with Borderline Personality Disorder), this treatment type has also been proven to be effective for a variety of other condi

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The Energy Drain: Exploring the Link Between Anxiety and Fatigue

Anxiety

The Energy Drain: Exploring the Link Between Anxiety and Fatigue

Anxiety is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. One often overlooked aspect of anxiety is its capacity to cause fatigue. This article delves into the connection between anxiety and tiredness, how anxiety can lead to exhaustion, and what strategies can help in managing this challenging symptom.

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Dealing with the Struggles: Health Anxiety and its Impact on Life

Anxiety

Dealing with the Struggles: Health Anxiety and its Impact on Life

Health anxiety, also known as illness anxiety disorder, is a specific type of anxiety that revolves around the fear of having a serious illness, despite medical reassurances. For individuals struggling with this form of anxiety, it can feel as if it's taking over their life. This article will explore how health anxiety impacts daily living, why it can feel so overwhelming, and strategies to better manage this challenging condition.

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Navigating Paralyzing Anxiety: Understanding, Impacts, and Ways Forward

Anxiety

Navigating Paralyzing Anxiety: Understanding, Impacts, and Ways Forward

Paralyzing anxiety refers to the experience where feelings of anxiety become so intense that they seemingly paralyze one's ability to think, act, or engage in normal daily activities. This type of anxiety can be overwhelming, but with understanding, it can be managed effectively. In this article, we delve into the nature of paralyzing anxiety, its impacts, and how to work towards a healthier mind.

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Throwing Up From Anxiety: Causes, Implications, and Management

Anxiety

Throwing Up From Anxiety: Causes, Implications, and Management

Anxiety is a natural reaction to stressful situations, but when it becomes excessive, it can lead to a range of physical symptoms, including nausea and even vomiting. In this article, we delve into the relationship between anxiety and vomiting, its implications, and how it can be managed effectively.

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Understanding and Breaking the Anxiety Cycle

Anxiety

Understanding and Breaking the Anxiety Cycle

The experience of anxiety is often described as a cycle, a series of interconnected stages that feed into each other. Understanding this cycle and learning how to interrupt it can be an effective strategy in managing anxiety. This article explores the different stages of the anxiety cycle and provides actionable advice on how to break this cycle.

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The Anatomy of Anxiety-Inducing Situations

Anxiety

The Anatomy of Anxiety-Inducing Situations

Anxiety can be sparked by a myriad of factors, ranging from specific situations to certain thoughts. Understanding these anxiety-inducing circumstances can play a crucial role in managing and reducing anxiety symptoms. This article seeks to elucidate what makes a situation anxiety-inducing and how individuals can cope with such situations.

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Understanding the Link Between Anxiety and Diarrhea

Anxiety

Understanding the Link Between Anxiety and Diarrhea

Living with anxiety is often accompanied by a multitude of symptoms, some of which may appear unrelated to mental health. One such symptom is diarrhea, which can create a challenging dynamic for those dealing with anxiety. This article explores the connection between anxiety and diarrhea and provides insights on how to manage these symptoms effectively.

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Alleviating Anxiety-Induced Neck and Shoulder Tension: Practical Approaches

Anxiety

Alleviating Anxiety-Induced Neck and Shoulder Tension: Practical Approaches

Anxiety is more than just a psychological condition. Its physical manifestations can be quite profound, and often include symptoms like tension in the neck and shoulders. This article provides a detailed look at various strategies that can be employed to relieve such discomfort and improve your overall well-being.

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Decoding Hyperstimulation Anxiety: Insights and Management Techniques

Anxiety

Decoding Hyperstimulation Anxiety: Insights and Management Techniques

Hyperstimulation anxiety represents a heightened state of sensory sensitivity, which can often become overwhelming and result in significant distress. This article delves into an in-depth understanding of hyperstimulation anxiety, its causes, its implications on everyday life, and various ways to manage it effectively.

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ICD-10 Diagnosis: Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety

ICD-10 Diagnosis: Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a common mental health condition, yet many people do not fully understand its implications. This article explores the Social Anxiety Disorder as classified in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), its diagnostic criteria, implications, and management.

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Social Anxiety and Autism: A Closer Look at the Distinctions

Anxiety

Social Anxiety and Autism: A Closer Look at the Distinctions

Understanding the nuanced differences between social anxiety and autism is critical to fostering awareness and providing appropriate support. While there are similarities, key differences separate these two conditions. This article will delve into the unique aspects of social anxiety and autism, while highlighting the critical factors in distinguishing between the two.

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A Deep Dive into the Experience of Anxiety

Anxiety

A Deep Dive into the Experience of Anxiety

Anxiety, a common human experience, can be challenging to describe due to its subjective nature. For those who live with anxiety disorders, it often feels like an overwhelming wave that engulfs their daily life. By delving deeper into the emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects of anxiety, we can begin to truly understand what anxiety feels like and how it impacts one's life.

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Anxiety Group Therapy: A Pathway to Shared Healing and Recovery

Anxiety

Anxiety Group Therapy: A Pathway to Shared Healing and Recovery

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health issues worldwide, often leaving individuals feeling isolated and overwhelmed. However, anxiety group therapy provides a supportive platform for individuals to share their experiences, learn new coping strategies, and foster a sense of connection. This article dives into the world of anxiety group therapy, discussing its approach, benefits, and types of exercises often employed.

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Grief Group Therapy: A Shared Journey of Healing After Loss

Grief & Loss

Grief Group Therapy: A Shared Journey of Healing After Loss

Grief is a universal human experience that can leave individuals feeling isolated and overwhelmed. However, grief group therapy offers a unique environment for individuals to explore their feelings of loss within a supportive community of others who have experienced similar pain. This article explores the approach, benefits, and common practices involved in grief group therapy.

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Process Group Therapy: A Path to Enhanced Self-Awareness and Interpersonal Growth

Mental Health

Process Group Therapy: A Path to Enhanced Self-Awareness and Interpersonal Growth

Process group therapy, often known as group psychotherapy, is a form of treatment where individuals meet regularly with a trained therapist to help improve their interpersonal relationships and gain self-awareness. The unique aspect of process group therapy is the focus on the interactions among group members and the shared group experience. This article delves into the world of process group therapy, focusing on its approach, benefits, and typical group dynamics.

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Social Anxiety Group Therapy: Pathways to Confidence and Connection

Mental Health

Social Anxiety Group Therapy: Pathways to Confidence and Connection

Social anxiety, characterized by excessive fear of social situations, can be a significant obstacle to leading a fulfilling life. Social anxiety group therapy offers a supportive space for individuals to understand their anxiety, build coping strategies, and improve their social skills. This article explores the facets of social anxiety group therapy, providing insight into its approach, benefits, and common strategies used.

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Group Therapy Discussion Topics: Stimulating Openness and Personal Growth

Mental Health

Group Therapy Discussion Topics: Stimulating Openness and Personal Growth

Group therapy provides a supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences, learn from others, and develop new coping strategies. The success of a group therapy session often hinges on the choice of discussion topics. Relevant, engaging, and thought-provoking topics can foster open communication and stimulate personal growth. This article explores a variety of group therapy discussion topics that can facilitate insightful conversations and fruitful interactions.

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Group Therapy for Substance Abuse: A Supportive Path to Recovery

Mental Health

Group Therapy for Substance Abuse: A Supportive Path to Recovery

Substance abuse can lead to severe health and social problems, yet overcoming it can be a challenging journey. Group therapy has emerged as an effective approach in the treatment of substance abuse, offering a supportive environment for individuals to explore their experiences, learn coping strategies, and make significant strides towards recovery. This article delves into the approach, benefits, and common techniques utilized in group therapy for substance abuse.

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Navigating Group Therapy: Essential Questions Explored

Mental Health

Navigating Group Therapy: Essential Questions Explored

Group therapy provides a supportive environment for individuals to share experiences, learn new strategies, and stimulate personal growth. It is facilitated by trained therapists, but the direction and depth of discussion largely depend on the questions asked. This article will delve into key questions often used in group therapy, their purpose, and the insights they might foster.

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Practical Approaches in Group Therapy: Techniques Explored

Mental Health

Practical Approaches in Group Therapy: Techniques Explored

Group therapy offers a supportive environment where individuals can navigate their challenges together, learn from each other's experiences, and develop new coping strategies. The effectiveness of group therapy greatly depends on the techniques employed by the therapist. This article delves into some common techniques used in group therapy, their objectives, and how they enhance the therapeutic process.

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