Anxiety is a mental health condition that affects millions of people all over the world, and students are no exception. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on anxiety in school settings, as it can have a significant impact on academic performance and overall wellbeing. Thankfully, there is help available for those who are struggling with anxiety. One of the most popular approaches is Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Read on to learn more about how DBT can help students manage their anxiety.
What is Dialectical Behavioural Therapy?
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy that was originally developed by Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington in the late 1980s. It combines elements of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with mindfulness practices to help people develop an understanding of how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are connected. The aim of DBT is to teach people skills they can use to cope with difficult situations and work towards their goals in life.
How Can DBT Help Students With Anxiety?
DBT techniques can be especially beneficial for students with anxiety because it helps them gain insight into their feelings and reactions without judgement or criticism. This allows them to recognize patterns in their behaviour that may be exacerbating their symptoms and start making changes that will improve their mental health. In addition, DBT teaches coping strategies such as mindfulness meditation, which can help reduce stress levels at the moment. Finally, DBT also focuses on building self-esteem and acceptance, which can be particularly important for students who are feeling overwhelmed by expectations from family members or peers.
What Are The Benefits Of DBT For A Student With Anxiety?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been touted as an effective therapy for adults and teens dealing with anxiety, and it is becoming increasingly popular among students. Through individual counselling and group sessions with a therapist trained in DBT, students can build the skills needed to manage their anxiety more effectively. DBT can help a student identify anxious thought patterns, such as catastrophic thinking or misinterpreting social interactions, that may be exacerbating their fears. As the student practices practical strategies like ‘Opposite Action’ and ‘Radical Acceptance’, they gain more confidence in understanding themselves and their environment better. This calms their anxiety over time, improving mood regulation and developing greater emotional resilience overall.
What Can A Student With Anxiety Expect From DBT?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that is tailored to the needs of people with Anxiety. It combines counseling and psychotherapeutic interventions as a formal psychotherapy and helps people to develop skills for managing emotions in a healthy way. During DBT, a student with Anxiety can expect support and guidance in developing individualized treatment plans that address specific challenges they face. The therapist will help the student identify their emotions and behavior, break them down into smaller parts, identify strengths, discuss goal setting, review academic successes and challenges, provide feedback or reinforcement, and craft strategies to manage anxiety going forward. At its core, DBT provides education, support, and psychotherapy techniques to help people learn better ways of managing anxiety.
How Long Will DBT Take To Work For A Student Suffering/Dealing With Anxiety?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, has been shown to have beneficial effects on those dealing with anxiety. This psychotherapy approach is provided by professional therapists who helps patients of all ages recognize and appropriately deal with the thoughts and emotions that contribute to their anxiety. It can sometimes take weeks or even months of counselling sessions before an individual starts to notice positive results. During these regularly scheduled sessions, therapists can set goals for the student to work through and learn effective ways of managing their anxiety and emotions better. There is no definitive answer as to how long it will take for a student’s treatment with DBT psychotherapy to be successful; as everyone responds differently and at different rates, each case will depend on both the patient’s effort in therapy and guidance from their counsellor.
How Do I Know If DBT Is The Right Treatment For A Student With Anxiety?
Deciding whether Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is the right psychotherapeutic treatment option for a student with anxiety can seem like a challenging decision. It is important to consider what successful outcomes look like and be honest about your expectations before seeking out a therapist. It may be helpful to seek professional advice, such as from a qualified counselor, in order to make an informed decision about DBT. Talking through potential options and discussing triggers, symptoms, and treatments with a psychotherapy practitioner may help determine if DBT will offer the appropriate level of support for the individual’s unique needs.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy is an effective approach to managing anxiety in students. Through its combination of cognitive-behavioural therapy and mindfulness practices, it helps people gain insight into their thoughts and emotions so they can better understand why they feel anxious or overwhelmed. Additionally, it provides coping strategies that can help reduce stress levels in the moment and foster self-acceptance so students can build confidence in themselves and move forward with greater peace of mind. For many young people struggling with anxiety, DBT offers hope for a brighter future free from fear and worry.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Sarah Jackson, BBA, MACP, RP (Qualifying), or another Kitchener psychotherapist at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
