Lawyers Helping Lawyers

• Citation: Vol. 37
• Year: 2025

LAWYERS HELPING LAWYERS

No. Vol. 37 Issue 2 Pg. 11

South Carolina Lawyer

September, 2025

Dialectical Behavior

Therapy (DBT)

BY DR. JANE TURNBULL, PHD, LPC, NCC

Just like there are many different types of lawyers, some who specialize, there are also many different types of therapists with various areas of focus and training. Similarly, lawyers and therapists often adapt their services to meet the needs of the individual client or may need to refer certain clients to other lawyers/ therapists. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right therapist including diagnosis or issues to be discussed, time to devote to therapy, financial stability, insurance coverage, resources available in your area, if you prefer in-person or virtual and if rapport can be built easily in the beginning sessions. In addition to considering who the best therapist is for you, there are now many different types of therapy to choose, each offering its own unique set of skills and tools.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a well-known and commonly used therapy modality; however Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is quickly gaining popularity and with good reason. This form of therapy was originally developed in the 1980s by Dr. Marsha Linehan. Dr. Linehan noticed that CBT was not fully effective for some of her clients with borderline personality disorder and other clients with extreme emotional dysregulation. DBT is beginning to provide positive outcomes for other diagnoses and has been adapted for teens and children. Some lawyers find DBT as a preferred form of therapy because of its complexity, extensive training required for DBT therapists, its many different components, and layers of skills to help people accept, cope and find balance (wise-mind/middle-path).

Because DBT is complex, this is only a short summary, and I encourage you to go to the links included to learn more. Some therapists who are not certified in DBT still use some of the DBT skills because they are useful in helping people become more emotionally regulated no matter the presenting issue. For more information about DBT and the 4 core skills listed below see: https://dialecticalbehaviortherapy.com/

DBT is a structured therapy that focuses on teaching 4 core skills:

1. Mindfulness

2. Acceptance &Distress tolerance

3. Emotional regulation

4. Interpersonal effectiveness

Image from www.ashleymiershealth.com

Some DBT skills I found useful in my practice included: Radical Acceptance (acceptance is easier than forgiveness for some). H7.se Mind (learning to value logic and emotions), TIPP Distress Tolerance Technique (cold shower for anxiety versus warm bath for depression). Even just running cold water on your wrist can send a signal to your brain and reduce anxiety for some. With processing trauma some might not be ready to forgive, and some traumatic events might be too extreme to warrant forgiveness but acceptance with time is necessary to heal and move forward so that one can live fully and thrive. "Acceptance and change - these are the core paradox of DBT: accepting things as they are while also striving for positive change/' https: calusare-covery.com

Some people tend to be more emotional while others logical in their decision making. Neither one is right or wrong but leaning into the other might help someone become more balanced in finding what DBT calls the "middle-path" and ultimately becoming more wise-minded in their decisions, relationships, and work. In dialectical learning, accepting that life is filled with opposites is another useful focus. For example, a lawyer might enjoy the work they do but find it overwhelming and exhausting at the same time. Both can be true and learning to accept both is an important skill in reducing burnout. This is just skimming the surface as there are so many more DBT skills and ways to implement them in your everyday life. As John Hearn (a S.C. lawyer) said when asked about the various DBT skills he uses, "I use DBT skills in little ways every day. Mindfulness helps me pause and check-in with myself before reacting - whether I'm frustrated, anxious, or just overstimulated. Even just focusing my breath or grounding myself in the present moment helps me reset:'

DBT Links:

• Summary of DBT: https://dialectical-behaviortherapy.com

• Training and searching for a DBT Certified Therapists: https://dbt-lbc.org

• Wise Mind video for those that have or work with children: www.youtube. com/watch?v=6tjwixy2ini4

Lawyers Helping Lawyers provides confidential services to all South Carolina law students, lawyers, and judges who are experiencing challenges due to stress, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and other mental illnesses and emotional problems. You can reach Beth Padgett at 803-240-6526, Briana Suhr at 803-978-1190 and Frances Brown Anderson at 803-576-3781.