The Grouport Journal

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

The Art of Self-Validation: Empowerment From Within

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The Art of Self-Validation: Empowerment From Within

Validation is a critical component of our emotional wellbeing, often sought from external sources like friends, family, or social media. While external validation can be gratifying, it's ephemeral and reliant on others. The power of self-validation, on the other hand, is enduring and independent. This article delves into the concept of self-validation, its importance, and how one can learn to validate oneself.

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Exercises for Releasing Resentment

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Exercises for Releasing Resentment

Resentment can be a burdensome emotion, often rooted in past hurts or perceived injustices. It can weigh heavily on our hearts, impacting our overall wellbeing and quality of life. Fortunately, various exercises can help individuals let go of this lingering negativity. This article presents a detailed exploration of some effective exercises aimed at releasing resentment.

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Interfering Behaviors: An In-depth Exploration

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Interfering Behaviors: An In-depth Exploration

Interfering behaviors are actions that inhibit an individual's ability to function optimally in their daily lives. These behaviors, often linked to various psychological or neurological conditions, can disrupt learning, relationships, and personal growth. This article aims to delve into the nature of interfering behaviors, their potential causes, and strategies for managing them effectively.

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Self-Empowerment: Crafting 'I Am' Statements About Yourself

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Self-Empowerment: Crafting 'I Am' Statements About Yourself

In the journey of self-discovery and personal growth, 'I am' statements play a significant role. These simple yet powerful affirmations can shape our self-perception, influence our mindset, and direct our behaviors towards achieving our goals. Let's delve into the creation, benefits, and application of these statements.

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The Maze of Mind: Common Thinking Errors and Their Influence

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The Maze of Mind: Common Thinking Errors and Their Influence

Our thought processes shape our understanding of the world, our decisions, and ultimately, our lives. Sometimes, these processes can be flawed, leading to what psychologists refer to as thinking errors or cognitive distortions. Understanding these common thinking errors can aid in enhancing our mental clarity and improving decision-making abilities.

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The Purpose of Emotions: Exploring Our Internal Compass

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The Purpose of Emotions: Exploring Our Internal Compass

Human emotions, diverse and complex, form an integral part of our lives. They color our experiences, guide our actions, and create the tapestry of our internal world. Understanding why we have emotions can provide us with significant insights into human behavior and our interactions with the world around us.

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Affirmations 101: A Beginner's Guide to Empowerment

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Affirmations 101: A Beginner's Guide to Empowerment

Affirmations are positive, powerful statements that can transform our mindset and help us overcome negative thoughts or self-doubt. For those new to the concept, this article aims to provide an introduction to affirmations and tips to get started on a journey towards self-empowerment and positivity.

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Embracing Discomfort: Learning to Sit with Uncomfortable Feelings

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Embracing Discomfort: Learning to Sit with Uncomfortable Feelings

Life is an intricate blend of joys and discomforts. Often, our natural tendency is to lean towards joy and away from discomfort. However, understanding and managing our emotions involve learning to sit with uncomfortable feelings as well. This article aims to explore the importance of accepting these feelings and offers techniques to manage them effectively.

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Opposite of Flow: Navigating Life's Stagnant Phases

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Opposite of Flow: Navigating Life's Stagnant Phases

In psychology, the concept of 'flow' represents a state of total absorption in an activity where one loses track of time and self-consciousness. It's a state of hyper-focus and high performance. But what happens when we experience the opposite of flow? When we feel stagnant, disconnected, or disengaged? This article aims to explore the idea of life's 'stagnant phases'—the opposite of flow—and strategies to navigate these periods.

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Understanding Dysregulated Behavior: Causes, Manifestations, and Approaches

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Understanding Dysregulated Behavior: Causes, Manifestations, and Approaches

Dysregulated behavior, typically characterized by an inability to control or manage personal responses, particularly emotional responses, to various stimuli in the environment, is a topic of concern across many areas of psychology and mental health. This article aims to provide an understanding of dysregulated behavior, its causes, how it manifests, and potential approaches to handle it.

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Empowering Yourself: The Impact of Personal Affirmations

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Empowering Yourself: The Impact of Personal Affirmations

Personal affirmations, positive statements about oneself, serve as powerful tools for self-empowerment and personal growth. This article will explore the nature of affirmations, their potential benefits, and how to create effective personal affirmations.

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The Spectrum of Extreme Emotions: Understanding and Managing Intense Feelings

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The Spectrum of Extreme Emotions: Understanding and Managing Intense Feelings

Emotions play an essential role in our lives, shaping our experiences and interactions. However, when emotions become extreme, they can be overwhelming and challenging to manage. This article explores extreme emotions, their potential causes, and effective ways to cope with them.

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Interpersonal Factors: Influences on Human Connections

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Interpersonal Factors: Influences on Human Connections

Interpersonal factors play a vital role in shaping the relationships that we form throughout our lives. They influence the dynamics of our interactions, contributing to the formation, sustenance, and dissolution of our connections with others. This article will explore the nature of interpersonal factors, their significance, and their impact on human relationships.

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Six Tiers of Empathy: Understanding the Levels of Validation

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Six Tiers of Empathy: Understanding the Levels of Validation

Validation, the acknowledgment and acceptance of someone else's feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, is a powerful tool for improving interpersonal relationships and fostering self-understanding. Through validation, we help others feel heard and understood, an experience that can foster stronger, healthier relationships. It is also a valuable tool in managing personal emotions. This article explores the six levels of validation, providing a roadmap for increasing empathy and understanding in your interactions.

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Elevate the Now: Techniques to Improve the Moment

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Elevate the Now: Techniques to Improve the Moment

In the dynamic ebb and flow of life, there are inevitable moments of discomfort, distress, and unhappiness. A crucial aspect of emotional well-being is our ability to manage these moments effectively. The concept of 'improving the moment' is a potent strategy in this context. This article will explore the philosophy and methods to improve the moment, enhancing the quality of our daily experiences.

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Present Mind: Engaging with Mindfulness of Current Thoughts

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Present Mind: Engaging with Mindfulness of Current Thoughts

Mindfulness, a practice rooted in ancient Eastern traditions, has gained global recognition as a beneficial tool for mental health and overall well-being. Particularly, mindfulness of current thoughts—attending non-judgmentally to our ongoing thought processes—can be a powerful approach to fostering self-awareness and mental clarity. This article explores the concept of mindfulness of current thoughts and provides insights into its practice and benefits.

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Finding Balance: The Art of Walking the Middle Path

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Finding Balance: The Art of Walking the Middle Path

The concept of "walking the middle path" has been a fundamental principle in various philosophical, psychological, and spiritual teachings. This notion suggests the avoidance of extremes and the pursuit of moderation and balance. This article explores the philosophy of walking the middle path, its applications, and its potential benefits for mental wellbeing.

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The Power of Presence: Explore Observe, Describe, Participate

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The Power of Presence: Explore Observe, Describe, Participate

Understanding and regulating our emotions can often feel like a challenge, but three key skills — observe, describe, and participate — can make the process easier. These skills foster mindful living, helping us engage with our experiences in a more balanced and present way. In this article, we delve into these concepts, their meanings, and how to incorporate them into daily life.

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Decisions with Clarity: Examining the Reasonable Mind

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Decisions with Clarity: Examining the Reasonable Mind

Human decision-making is a complex process influenced by emotions, logic, intuition, and experiences. One way to understand this process is through the concept of the reasonable mind. This term refers to a state of mind that is guided by facts, logic, and rationality. This article provides an exploration of the reasonable mind and offers examples of its application in everyday situations.

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The Power of Acknowledgment: Exploring Validation Skills

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The Power of Acknowledgment: Exploring Validation Skills

In any form of communication or interaction, validation plays a significant role in strengthening relationships and fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding. Validation skills involve acknowledging and accepting another person's feelings, thoughts, and experiences without judgement. This article explores the different aspects of validation skills and how they can be effectively employed in various scenarios.

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5 Signs a DBT Skills Group is Exactly What You Need

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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 Economic Anxiety

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How DBT Skills Help With Economic Anxiety

Many people will argue that we are actively in a recession, while others say the worst of it is just around the corner. Rising gas and cost of goods cost, supply chain constraints, thousands of businesses going under, peak reports of bankruptcies and foreclosures… it's normal to feel stressed and anxious during these trying economic times. ‍If you’re wondering if you’re dealing with economic anxiety, consider these important symptoms: ‍Overspending: Oddly enough, for many people strugg

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How DBT Skills Help With Climate Anxiety

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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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Understanding Anxiety Disorders and the Power of DBT

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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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DBT Skills for Coping With Job Loss

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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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3 Keys to Choosing the Right Online Group Therapy Option

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3 Keys to Choosing the Right Online Group Therapy Option

In digital health and wellbeing, online group therapy has become an increasingly popular choice for those seeking emotional support and connection. This is particularly true for caregivers, who often deal with high-stress levels and isolation. However, choosing the right online group therapy option can be challenging, with many choices available. Here are three crucial factors to consider when selecting an online group therapy that fits your needs.

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DBT Skills for Developing Self-Compassion

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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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How DBT Skills Help With Everyday Stressors

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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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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Caregivers

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Caregivers

In our digitally connected world, online group therapy has emerged as a beneficial and effective tool for individuals seeking support and connection in their caregiving journey. Often battling feelings of isolation and emotional stress, caregivers can find comfort, companionship, and practical advice through online group therapy. This innovative form of support can profoundly impact their resilience and mental health. Let's explore the significant benefits online group therapy offers to caregivers.

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Students

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Students

Midterms, finals, challenging courses, dorm life, social events, sororities and fraternities, prom, PSATs, drama club, sports, college applications, friendships, social media… you name it, the life of a student is busy and there is always something vying for your attention! ‍More and more young adults and college-aged students are understanding the value of professional therapy services, but where do you find the time to prioritize your mental health amidst your class schedule, homework, cl

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Parents

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Parents

Parents know the business of life and caring for children takes priority over self-care, often to the detriment of mental health. It’s easy to get caught up in the day to day rush of waking children for school, packing lunches, running errands, sports practices and games and other extracurricular activities. For a lot of parents, mental health winds up on the back-burner of the constant hustle and bustle of family life. Squeezing in your own therapy sessions can be a chore, and has to take a bac

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Working Professionals

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Benefits of Online Group Therapy for Working Professionals

For working professionals like entrepreneurs, doctors, teachers, lawyers, authors, scientists, accountants, and so much more, the daily strain of rigorous scheduling, deadlines, project management, people management, and more can be overwhelming. The daily grind can put a significant strain on the mental health of working professionals, which in turn can aggravate or even kickstart conditions like chronic anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and more. ‍With conflicting priorities often v

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Setting and Achieving Treatment Goals with Online Group Therapy

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Setting and Achieving Treatment Goals with Online Group Therapy

Effective therapy can shorten the distance between where you are now and where you want to be. Increasing your quality of life through group therapy can be a particularly effective solution, as group therapy (both online and in-person) increases the accountability and support around your mental health journey, which improves your chance of success. ‍Good online group therapy is backed by science and years of studies, and good therapy will get you most of the way to where you want to be. Get

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The Power of Group Therapy: How Shared Experiences Can Help You Heal

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The Power of Group Therapy: How Shared Experiences Can Help You Heal

For plenty of individuals around the world struggling to establish a sense of normalcy and better mental health, individual weekly sessions aren’t enough. Overcoming daily symptoms and improving your quality of life can require additional accountability and support - two major benefits of group therapy. ‍Whether you’re managing mild to severe symptoms of mental health conditions on your own, were recently discharged from outpatient services, or just completed a mental health inpatient progr

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How DBT Helps with Bipolar Disorder

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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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DBT Skills to Know - Self-Soothing

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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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DBT Skills to Know - Non-Judgmental Stance

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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 - Setting Goals

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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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How to Use DBT Skills to Cope in Crisis

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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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Utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Regulation: Three Quick Skills

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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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