1st Edition

DBT Metaphors and Stories Understanding the Skills that Make Life Worth Living

By James J. Esmail Copyright 2021
    226 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    226 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    DBT Metaphors and Stories gives therapists and DBT skills trainers the skills they need to make effective use of dialectical behavior therapy and to help clients more deeply understand complex realities.

    Each page is devoted to explaining a specific DBT skill. The book is structured so that it can be used in several ways, including as a reference tool to look up specific skills the reader is struggling to understand or (for skills trainers) to teach. The book can also be read cover to cover, both for understanding the broad array of skills and as a source of motivation to devote one’s self to regular practice of skills. It’s a vital guide for trainers, therapists, and their clients interested in fully harnessing DBT’s power to change lives.

    1. Why Engage in Skills Training? 2. Mindfulness 3. Interpersonal Effectiveness 4. Emotion Regulation 5. Distress Tolerance, Part One 6. Radical and Reality Acceptance (Distress Tolerance, part 2) 7. Dialectics

    Biography

    James J. Esmail, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist at Summit Behavioral Healthcare and in private practice, and he is also an adjunct professor in the graduate school of psychology at Xavier University.

    "I found the creativity and variety of these stories especially appealing. Such focused writing will be appreciated by the individual in a DBT group who is looking for an additional way to understand one of the DBT concepts. I’d be shocked if even experienced clinicians don’t come away from this text with new and exciting ideas."Geof Yager, PhD, professor emeritus, University of Cincinnati, USA

    "To my knowledge, there is no other book in our field that offers such a rich selection of teaching stories to complement DBT skills training materials. The book elucidates core concepts and illustrates the use of DBT skills, making them more accessible. By offering materials that make it easier to both learn and teach DBT skills, this book provides a great service to clients and therapists alike."Rena Mei-Tal, PsyD, ABPP, private practice, USA

    "Dr Esmail illustrates DBT skills in a creative, witty, and unique way that brings often-confusing concepts to life. His stories and metaphors will bring laughter and light-bulb moments, and they’ll motivate the reader to sustained practice of the skills. If you’re looking for an enjoyable read that will deepen your understanding of DBT skills and entertain you along the way, you’ve come to the right place!"Brett Dowdy, PsyD, assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, USA