Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Chicago

“Most of the time, I just don’t want to be with people. People bother me. My doctor says that this is part of my depression. He says that if I force myself to be with people, it will help. What do you think?”

Boy, did you catch me at a good time. I just spent two days in a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy training workshop with Dr. Tony DuBose. He is one of the world’s foremost DBT therapists .

While it was an advanced workshop, he did spend time on the basic principles of DBT. In terms of DBT, acceptance and change are the two key elements. Furthermore, implementation is based on the individual needs of each patient. So, in my opinion, based on both DBT, your doctor is wrong. You say you have to “force” yourself. I don’t believe you need to do anything you do not “want” to do. I think it is true that being bothered by others might well be a part of your depression. However, the key element is self-acceptance. Through accepting your right to be alone and being comfortable with that choice, you may be able to begin to explore the possible reasons for your choice. Through psychotherapy, with an emphasis on acceptance followed by change, who knows? You may change your mind.

Dr. Manuel S. Silverman, PhD