Relational Skill Building
DBT Skills
I am Christina Thompson, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland. In my six years of practice, I have focused on how people relate to their own experiences and those around them. My work is grounded in a relational approach where we look at the ways you interact with your environment. I provide telehealth for adults and couples located in Maryland from Monday to Friday. We look at patterns together using a mix of DBT, CBT, ACT, and somatic and mindfulness based tools. Our time is spent exploring how you can use specific skills to navigate everyday situations while staying connected to your values. I aim to be a steady presence as we discuss these practical methods.
Exploring Daily Reactions
We start by looking at what happens in your body when you face a difficult moment. Perhaps you notice your breath gets shallow when an email arrives or your shoulders tense during a talk with a partner. I help you observe these physical cues without immediate judgment. We practice noticing the shift from a neutral state to a heightened one. By using DBT skills, we explore how to pause before you act on an impulse. This involves looking at the facts of a situation and acknowledging your physical responses. We work on staying present during these times to see what your body is communicating.
Practicing Emotional Awareness
Understanding how emotions move through your day is a core part of our work. You might find that some feelings linger longer than you expect or arrive with great intensity. We use plain language to label these experiences as they occur. By identifying a feeling when it is small, you can practice skills before the sensation becomes overwhelming. We look at how your daily habits and environment impact your internal state. This is about observing the rise and fall of different moods throughout the week. We discuss ways to maintain a regular routine that allows for more consistent observation of your internal patterns.
Navigating Social Interactions
Relationships often involve a delicate balance of needs and boundaries. You may find it difficult to state a preference or notice that you tend to agree with others even when you feel differently. I use a relational lens to explore how you communicate with friends, family, or partners. We look at how to describe your perspective clearly and how to listen to others without losing your own sense of self. We practice specific ways to ask for what you need and how to say no firmly. This work focuses on being effective in your social world while maintaining your own personal values and integrity.
Incorporating Mindfulness Skills
Mindfulness is a practical tool we use to stay in the current moment. Instead of focusing on what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow, we practice attending to what is happening right now. This involves noticing your thoughts as they pass through your mind without labeling them as right or wrong. We integrate somatic techniques to stay aware of how your physical self feels in the present. By practicing these skills, you can learn to make choices based on the information you have in front of you. This grounded approach helps you stay connected to your current surroundings and your own physical presence.
Practical Focus
What We Can Work On
- Noticing physical cues in the body
- Labeling emotions with plain language
- Practicing clear communication skills
- Using mindfulness in daily routines
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Related Pages
Your Next Step
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