The Grouport Journal

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

The Art of Self-Validation: Empowerment From Within

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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

DBT

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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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 - 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 - 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 - 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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Dialectical Behavior Therapy: An Effective Approach for Depression

DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy: An Effective Approach for Depression

Depression is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness, decreased interest in activities, and difficulty functioning daily. While there are many treatment modalities for depression, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is particularly effective in providing individuals with tools to manage their symptoms. This article will delve into the ways DBT can aid in coping with depression.

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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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Is Group Therapy Beneficial for Borderline Personality Disorder?

BPD

Is Group Therapy Beneficial for Borderline Personality Disorder?

Living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a difficult challenge for many. The struggle to control thoughts, actions, and reactions permeates their everyday lives and relationships. Their sense of self is highly dependent on their mood swings and often chaotic relationships with others, and they have difficulty managing stress, conflict, and the emotions of others. Living with BPD essentially means coping with a pattern of regular instability that spans mood, behaviors, identity, commu

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Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Right for Me?

DBT

Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Right for Me?

Do you have intense emotional highs and lows? Maybe regularly find yourself engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, and interpersonal conflict? Have you been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder? Or maybe you can identify with one of the following: ADHDAnorexia NervosaBulimia NervosaAnxiety DisordersMajor Depressive DisorderSuicidal BehaviorOCDPTSD‍If so, Dialectical Behavior Therapy may be the right treatment to get you back on

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How is DBT Different from CBT?

DBT

How is DBT Different from CBT?

Psychotherapy offers exclusive benefits as a treatment method which differs from traditional talk therapy. If you’re at all familiar with psychotherapy, you’ve probably heard the terms “DBT” and “CBT.” DBT stands for Dialectal Behavior Therapy, and CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. If you’re trying to decide which one is right for you, it’s important to understand the differences between the two. ‍Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT is closer in concept to traditional talk ther

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What Everyone Should Know About Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT

What Everyone Should Know About Dialectical Behavior Therapy

If you’re considering Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for you or a loved one, you probably already know the basics: DBT was developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Marsha Linehan specifically for patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). DBT is a highly beneficial treatment for many individuals for various mental health disorders and conditions, and traditionally follows the same path or protocol of treatment through 4 key modules to achieve success. The 4 main stages of DBT are:&n

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How to Talk About Mental Health

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How to Talk About Mental Health

In today’s day and age, mental health is a HOT topic, and we’re excited about that! However, for many people entering a new, sometimes scary world of discussions about inner workings, mindset, worldviews, diagnoses, emotions, and more, it may be daunting to get pulled into a discussion about mental health. ‍If you’re struggling to understand what kind of language to use to participate in discussions around mental health, or even to discuss your own, this guide will help you get started on t

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4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT

4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a modified version of another well-known type of psychotherapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The primary goal of DBT is to help individuals struggling with certain behaviors and mental health conditions to better cope with stress, regulate their emotions, stay present in every moment, and consequently improve the health of their relationships with others. ‍While DBT was initially developed to treat a specific condition - Borderline Perso

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The Top 5 Benefits of Online DBT Group Therapy

DBT

The Top 5 Benefits of Online DBT Group Therapy

When approaching Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), many people are surprised to find that online group sessions actively work on the skill development required to succeed. While it’s often presumed that DBT is most effective in a one-on-one setting, in reality DBT skills are best adopted in a group setting where members can actively practice their new skills and participate in discussion around common mental health challenges. ‍Benefit 1: Community & AccountabilityFor the majority of

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What Therapy is Best For Borderline Personality Disorder?

BPD

What Therapy is Best For Borderline Personality Disorder?

When it comes to Borderline Personality Disorder, there is currently only one empirically-supported treatment protocol for this condition: Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT. A form of psychotherapy developed in the late 1980s by Dr Marsha Linehan, this treatment protocol is based on cognitive behavioral principles applied in specific ways in order to target common symptoms of BPD such as chaotic relationships, emotional lability, instability, and impulsivity. Over the last few decad

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What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Used For?

DBT

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Used For?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, was developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Marsha Linehan following extensive use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). DBT was developed specifically because it became clear that CBT was not fully effective for patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). In order to improve treatment for BPD, Dr. Linehan and colleagues created and tested additional techniques in order to achieve greater success as they sought to improve the health and wellbeing of t

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What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

DBT

What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a modified version of another well-known type of psychotherapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The primary goal of DBT is to help individuals struggling with certain behaviors and mental health conditions to better cope with stress, regulate their emotions, stay present in every moment, and consequently improve the health of their relationships with others. ‍While DBT was initially developed to treat a specific condition - Borderline Perso

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What Are Therapies For OCD?

OCD

What Are Therapies For OCD?

The road to treatment for OCD can be a difficult one, and often requires significant courage and determination to succeed. Establishing a healthy level of support from a group can encourage you during the treatment process and is a healthy and beneficial step as you get started. ‍ERP & SRIsThe majority of psychologists will agree that the best and most effective treatments for OCD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) in combination with medication such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (

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