Utilizing the “Relaxation” Skill
Skills such as “Relaxation,” mentioned in the video, can be helpful for this family because they can reduce stress and shed the overwhelming feeling of being busy and having lots of things to do. Establishing a relaxation technique may help them deal with stress and be more cooperative (Finney & Tadros, 2018). To bring”Relaxation,” I will first highlight the impact of self-care and stress reduction among the whole family. I would focus on the importance of relaxing, positively affecting individuals, and their ability to team up as a strong patch. Following the explanation of the technique, I would lead the family through a quick relaxation exercise: deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation (Finney & Tadros, 2018). For instance, I could say,” I’ll teach some stress management techniques, let us practice a relaxation exercise together. When you learn how to meditate, it becomes much easier to deal with problems in a structured manner”.
Once we ended up with the exercise, I asked them to share what they felt during and after the exercise. Such openness will enable them to realize the advantages of considering the insertion of relaxation techniques in their daily regimes. I would ask questions such as “Why did you feel before and after the exercise?” or “Did anybody notice any changes in their mind or body?” When we create an atmosphere where people talk about their experiences, they will more likely become motivated to include relaxation in their lives (Norelli et al., 2021). Next, I would help the family to focus on building their toolbox of relaxation techniques. During specific periods or situations, these could be practiced individually or as family members together to relax (Norelli et al., 2021). For instance, I can take advantage of this fact and recommend they try a couple of deep breaths before meals as a family or teach each one of them to use relaxation techniques before going to sleep or feeling stressed. Working with the family to build a plan that shows how resting techniques are applied is my way of teaching them to be their self-care advocates and stress managers.
Enhancing Capabilities through Skills Training
Incorporating the “Relaxation” skill aligns with the first function of DBT treatment: flexibility. “Skills improvement” is one of the purposes of DBT, where I, as a coach, emphasize one of the techniques of relaxation with the family. This will allow them to manage stress better and increase emotional regulation efficacy. One of the critical skills relaxation provides is focusing on the present moment and regulating attention. This ability is the basis of the mindfulness technique (Schimelpfening, 2023). When people learn to concentrate more on the moment, they become much less likely to experience overwhelming feelings of worry about the past and worrying about the future, which may lead to stress and emotional dysregulation.
Additionally, the skills regarding emotional distress and regulation mirror those in the distress tolerance and emotion regulation domains, prioritized in DBT (Norelli et al., 2021). Through learning some relaxation techniques, family members create a system to handle stressful situations and avoid harmful coping mechanisms like anger and frustration.
Addressing Resistance and Reluctance
During the entire video, the families somehow showed behaviors or attitudes of non-cooperation, especially during scaling. When this happens, it is necessary to face them with empathy and without prejudice, as resistance can result from the fears and concerns lying by. An ability to listen actively while mirroring back their feelings or concerns is an excellent action to take. For instance, when the family resists scaling, I would utter, “I see you are not enthusiastic about ranking the degree of your confidence.” Getting out of your comfort zone may cause discomfort or uneasiness (Sunrisertc, 2017). Could I guess what you are thinking of?” This intimidating environment will be a boon for you to leave the hiding place. If that does not work, we can redo it tomorrow. I could take a break and return to the topic once you are more prepared. I can build a working relationship based on collaboration and trust by displaying flexibility and respecting a person’s limits.
Motivation Enhancement and Providing Cures to Addictive Disorders.
The strategy of addressing resistance and reluctance aligns with the third function of DBT treatment: “increasing patients’ commitment to change and lowering behaviors considered to be incompatible with a life of the quality.” Affirming and addressing the person’s sentiments and touching on their concerns would create an environment that welcomes conversations and collaboration and, in the long run, with the aim of advancing their motivation to participate in the counseling session (Sunrisertc, 2017). Furthermore, upon the appropriate comprehension of the root causes of resistance or unwillingness, I may resolve any dysfunctional behavior or acting that may hinder my progress. For example, suppose a family member’s resistance comes because they fear being judged or criticized. In that case, I should work with them, and we will develop more effective ways to communicate and strengthen their interpersonal effectiveness skills, which takes much work from a DBT therapist.
In summary, the “Relaxation” skill from the IMPROVE acronym that can be introduced to the family can make a significant difference in a family’s capabilities by providing a valuable method of alleviating stress and regulating one’s emotions. An empathic and validating approach in dealing with resistance and swing time can promote motivation and avoid developing dysfunctional behavior, the two most critical functions of DBT treatment (Norelli et al., 2021). Via these tactics, the wholeness of the family will be developed to make the latter more collaborative and effective in tackling the issues besides promoting emotional and interpersonal well-being.
References
Finney, N., & Tadros, E. (2018). Integration of Structural Family Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy With High-Conflict Couples. The Family Journal, 27(1), 31–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480718803344
Norelli, S. K., Long, A., & Krepps, J. M. (2021). Relaxation Techniques. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513238/
Schimelpfening, N. (2023, May 1). What to know about dialectical behavior therapy. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/dialectical-behavior-therapy-1067402
Sunrise. (2017, September 13). Six life-changing skills to successfully manage your next emotional crisis. Sunrise Residential Treatment Center. https://sunrisertc.com/distress-tolerance-skills/#:~:text=Take%20in%20air%20four%20second
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