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How Does DBT Transform Lives with Borderline Personality Disorder? A Look Through the Adherent Model

  • Writer: Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
    Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
  • Apr 9

The Adherent Model of DBT emphasizes the importance of both patients and therapists adhering strictly to the therapeutic protocol for successful outcomes. By committing to consistent engagement and structured techniques, this model fosters long-term emotional regulation and personal growth in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder.

How Does DBT Transform Lives with Borderline Personality Disorder? A Look Through the Adherent Model

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is often misunderstood, leaving many to wonder how people living with this condition can achieve stability, meaningful relationships, and emotional resilience. The symptoms of BPD, such as intense mood swings, fear of abandonment, and difficulties in maintaining relationships, can be incredibly challenging both for those affected and their loved ones. But there’s hope, thanks to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).


DBT, developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the 1980s, is a therapeutic approach specifically designed for individuals with BPD. What makes DBT unique is its blend of cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, aimed at helping patients regulate emotions, improve interpersonal skills, and build a life worth living.


But how exactly does DBT work? To answer that, let’s take a closer look at its application through the Adherent Model.


The Adherent Model: A Deep Dive


The Adherent Model of DBT focuses on adherence to the treatment protocol as the foundation of successful outcomes. This model emphasizes not only the importance of patients’ commitment to their therapy but also the adherence of therapists to the structured and evidence-based techniques that have been proven effective.


Here’s how it breaks down:


  1. Commitment to Treatment: DBT requires patients to commit to a long-term treatment plan. This commitment is critical because, unlike other forms of therapy that may focus more on insight, DBT is action-oriented. Patients are encouraged to actively engage with the therapy process, attending individual sessions, participating in group skills training, and practicing what they’ve learned between sessions. This consistent involvement helps build a foundation of trust and stability.


    Click to Learn About What a DBT Group Counseling Session for Trauma Clients Looks Like

  2. Balancing Acceptance and Change: The core dialectic in DBT is the balance between acceptance and change. Individuals with BPD may feel as though their emotional pain is insurmountable, but DBT teaches them that acceptance of their current emotional state doesn’t mean they have to stay stuck in it. By learning skills to regulate intense emotions and improve distress tolerance, patients can move toward change, without invalidating their lived experiences.


  3. Skills Training: DBT is structured around four primary skill modules:


    • Mindfulness: Cultivating the ability to be present in the moment without judgment.

    • Distress Tolerance: Learning to endure emotional discomfort without resorting to self-destructive behaviors.

    • Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing intense emotions in a healthy way.

    • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Building healthier, more stable relationships with others.


    These skills provide patients with tangible tools to manage everyday challenges while reducing the impulsivity that often leads to crisis situations.


    Click to Learn About How to Navigate the Emotional Rollercoaster of Borderline Personality Disorder

  4. Therapist Adherence: For DBT to work effectively, therapists must also adhere to the model. This means therapists must be consistently available for crisis coaching and support and maintain a non-judgmental, validating approach. The Adherent Model posits that therapists, like patients, need to stick to the proven principles of DBT, ensuring that patients are receiving the structured treatment they need for progress.


  5. Behavioral Change Reinforcement: DBT is highly behavioral, and therapists work with patients to reinforce positive changes, even small ones. Celebrating progress, no matter how small, can help individuals with BPD feel encouraged and supported as they develop new coping mechanisms.


  6. Phone Coaching: A particularly unique feature of DBT is its phone coaching component. When patients experience an emotional crisis, they can contact their therapist between sessions for guidance. This real-time support helps prevent impulsive decisions and ensures patients feel continuously supported during moments of vulnerability.


A Model for Success


The Adherent Model helps reinforce DBT's structured approach, ensuring that both patient and therapist commit to a treatment path that is clear, effective, and grounded in evidence. As a result, DBT has proven to be one of the most successful forms of therapy for people with BPD, helping them manage emotional dysregulation, reduce harmful behaviors, and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives.


The model’s emphasis on both patient and therapist adherence creates a therapeutic alliance where consistency and trust flourish. This can make all the difference in helping those with BPD feel empowered, understood, and in control of their emotions and actions.


In Conclusion: A Life-Changing Therapy


DBT has proven to be a game-changer for many living with Borderline Personality Disorder. With its structured and mindful approach, it offers hope for those seeking a path to emotional stability. It’s a reminder that with the right tools, commitment, and support, individuals with BPD can navigate their challenges and lead lives full of meaning and connection.


So, are you ready to start the journey toward emotional resilience?


💬 Ready to start your own healing journey?


Book a session with one of our compassionate therapists at Moody Melon Counseling. We’re here when you’re ready. 🍉



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The Healing Power of Play: How Video Game Therapy Can Help Heal Depression from Unresolved Trauma

  • Writer: Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
    Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
  • Mar 25

Video Game Therapy can help heal depression by providing an immersive and interactive experience that encourages emotional processing and skill-building. Through tailored game experiences, players can confront their trauma in a safe, engaging environment, fostering healing and personal growth.

The Healing Power of Play: How Video Game Therapy Can Help Heal Depression from Unresolved Trauma

Video games, once just a form of entertainment, have increasingly found their way into therapeutic settings for a variety of mental health conditions. Research has shown that games can be a valuable tool in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction, offering an immersive, engaging experience that traditional therapy methods may not always provide. Among the games gaining recognition for their therapeutic potential is Robo Cat Story, a game designed to assist players in processing emotions like grief and survivor’s guilt.


The Growing Role of Video Games in Therapy


A growing body of research has found that video games can offer much more than simple distraction—they can help individuals confront and process deep-seated trauma. Studies have shown that video games, when used in therapy, help with skill-building, like problem-solving and decision-making, and even social interactions by simulating real-life situations in a safe space. In addition, video games track progress in a measurable, objective way, providing constant feedback that’s invaluable to therapeutic work.


One groundbreaking approach, the Video Game Therapy® (VGT®), places the game experience at the heart of therapy. VGT® tailors the game type and experience to an individual’s personality and therapeutic goals using tools like the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) (Bocci, Ferrari, & Sarini, 2023). With this approach, video games become personalized therapeutic tools that assist in emotional processing and development, especially for those struggling with unresolved trauma.


Robo Cat Story: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing


In the realm of gaming therapy, Robo Cat Story stands out as a prime example of how a game can facilitate emotional exploration. Set in a fictional town, players control Dill, who rides in a robot cat named CAT, battling "Soul Pops" and confronting complex emotions like grief, loss, and trauma. The game’s storyline mirrors the journey many people experience in overcoming depression and survivor’s guilt, making it an excellent tool for emotional processing.


Each map in Robo Cat Story presents challenges that feel relatable to those experiencing unresolved emotional pain, encouraging players to confront their struggles in an engaging, interactive way. As players progress through the game, they’re encouraged to think critically, solve problems, and adapt—all of which can transfer to real-life emotional resilience.



The Science Behind Video Game Therapy


Studies show that video games, when integrated into therapy, offer a unique advantage over traditional methods. For example, the Video Game Therapy® (VGT®) approach has been shown to promote emotional literacy, social connection, and identity development, which are key aspects of recovering from trauma (Bocci, Ferrari, & Sarini, 2023). It helps players engage in emotional experimentation in a low-risk, controlled environment.


This approach is grounded in Adlerian therapy, which emphasizes self-awareness, community feeling, and social interest. By aligning video games with therapeutic goals, VGT® makes the healing process both dynamic and engaging. This method has shown promising results in helping players work through their emotional struggles and trauma, especially in cases where traditional methods may fall short (Bocci, Ferrari, & Sarini, 2023).


Could Video Games Be the Key to Healing?


With its ability to immerse players in complex emotional narratives and offer immediate feedback, video game therapy could be the future of mental health treatment for those struggling with depression or trauma. It provides a safe space to work through emotions, face fears, and build resilience—all while keeping the player engaged and empowered.

As we continue to explore the potential of gaming in mental health, Robo Cat Story and similar games could offer groundbreaking opportunities for healing and self-discovery. So, could the next step in your emotional healing journey be through the lens of a video game?


Question to Ponder: How can incorporating immersive video games into mental health treatment change the way we approach trauma recovery? Could games be the new frontier in healing?


💬 Ready to start your own healing journey?


Book a session with one of our compassionate therapists at Moody Melon Counseling. We’re here when you’re ready. 🍉



Reference:

Bocci, F., Ferrari, A., & Sarini, M. (2023). Putting the Gaming Experience at the Center of the Therapy-The Video Game Therapy® Approach. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 11(12), 1767. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121767


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Navigating the Storm: Career Counseling Amidst Family Crisis

  • Writer: Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
    Julie Barris | Crisis Counselor | Therapist-in-Training
  • Mar 20

Career counseling amidst a family crisis can be a transformative process, offering individuals the clarity and support they need to navigate both personal and professional challenges. By addressing the emotional turmoil of family upheaval while focusing on career goals, individuals can find a path forward that aligns with their values and circumstances.

Navigating the Storm: Career Counseling Amidst Family Crisis

When life throws you a curveball, it’s often the family crisis that hits hardest. Whether it's a sudden illness, the loss of a loved one, or a shift in family dynamics, such personal upheaval can feel overwhelming. The weight of it all can affect not only emotional well-being but also the very core of a person’s professional life.


In the midst of such crises, it can be challenging to focus on career goals or make decisions about the future. Yet, career counseling during these difficult times may not only provide the clarity needed but also help individuals regain control and stability over their professional paths.


The Impact of Family Crisis on Career Decisions


A family crisis can throw a person’s career into disarray. For some, the immediate priority becomes caring for a family member or addressing the personal challenges at hand. For others, stress, anxiety, or even grief can cloud their judgment and decision-making. Career paths that once seemed clear can suddenly appear uncertain or unimportant.


For example, consider someone who has recently experienced the loss of a family member. The overwhelming grief may lead them to question their career goals or whether their current job aligns with their values. Alternatively, a family health emergency might demand time and attention that takes the focus off career development. The internal conflict between career aspirations and familial responsibilities can create emotional and professional turmoil, leading to feelings of being stuck.


How Career Counseling Can Help


Career counseling during a family crisis isn’t just about finding a new job or making decisions about career advancement. It's about finding balance, redefining priorities, and helping individuals regain a sense of purpose amidst a challenging time. Here’s how:


1. Reframing the Crisis as an Opportunity for Growth


A family crisis, while traumatic, can also be a catalyst for self-reflection. A skilled career counselor can help clients reframe their current situation, enabling them to view this challenging period as a time for personal growth. This may involve reevaluating what truly matters to them, such as career satisfaction, work-life balance, and aligning their professional choices with personal values.


2. Exploring Flexibility and Adaptability in Career Paths


Family crises can necessitate changes in work schedules, location, or even career direction. Career counseling during these times can assist individuals in exploring flexible work options, remote careers, or alternate paths that align with their evolving responsibilities. This might mean temporarily shifting from a full-time job to part-time work or pursuing a career that offers more emotional fulfillment and fewer external pressures.


3. Building Resilience and Coping Strategies


A family crisis often requires tremendous emotional strength. Career counseling can help individuals build resilience by developing coping strategies for managing stress, setting boundaries, and making sound decisions during uncertain times. Career counselors may introduce tools such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress management techniques to help individuals maintain emotional balance as they navigate the intersection of family obligations and career.


4. Practical Decision-Making and Goal Setting


Career counseling can offer concrete guidance on how to make career decisions even in the face of a crisis. Counselors often use career assessment tools to help clients clarify their interests, strengths, and goals, helping them create a realistic and achievable career plan. This structured approach allows individuals to regain a sense of agency and control, even if their current circumstances feel overwhelming.


5. Support for Long-Term Career Vision


Family crises can lead to a shift in priorities, but that doesn’t mean career goals should be completely abandoned. A career counselor can assist in helping clients create a long-term career vision that accommodates their current family obligations. The counselor can guide the individual in how to strategically align short-term actions with long-term aspirations, ensuring that their career trajectory remains intact, even in the midst of personal challenges.


A Path Forward: More Than Just a Job


A family crisis often brings with it a deep sense of loss and upheaval, but it doesn’t have to derail one’s professional future. In fact, career counseling during these times can help individuals come out of the crisis with a stronger sense of self, a renewed career direction, and healthier coping mechanisms.


The key to overcoming a family crisis while maintaining a focus on career growth lies in understanding that both worlds—personal and professional—are deeply connected. By seeking career counseling during a family crisis, individuals can rebuild not only their career paths but also their confidence and emotional well-being.


Are you ready to reclaim control over your career while navigating life’s toughest challenges?


💬 Ready to start your own healing journey?


Book a session with one of our compassionate therapists at Moody Melon Counseling. We’re here when you’re ready. 🍉



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