I firmly believe that growth has two paths. To truly flourish, one must balance a desire for change with a true willingness to accept oneselve for who you are. A treatment that embraces this idea is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and it’s the core philosophy I use with my patients every day. I use some of the concepts and strategies seen in DBT to improve the quality of life of the people I work with.  Dialectics is a philosophical concept that suggests two opposing ideas can be true at the same time. For examples you are perfect the way you are and you need to change.  Both of these ideas, although opposing, can be true at the same time.  In treatment, DBT concepts focus on changing things that are getting in the way of living the life you want, while accepting yourself unconditionally. 

Change: Rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Behavior can be changed through increasing capabilities, problem solving, changing thinking, exposure therapy and contingency management.

Acceptance: Grounded in mindfulness and radical acceptance strategies. The acceptance side of the dialectic reduces suffering and angst.

When intertwined, this approach has proven very effective in treating depression, anxiety, eating disorders and body image dissatisfaction. The balance allows for a more holistic approach, a more dynamic understanding and a non-judgmental perspective.