While it may sound like Jackie implemented a lot of skills, her treatment took place over many months, and there was a significant amount of problem-solving when they didn’t work. It was important to remind her that treatment is not linear and creating new habits takes plenty of time. She experienced regular setbacks, struggles, and obstacles just as anyone would. By far the biggest hurdles for her to jump were mindlessness and old patterning.
Mindlessness
Mindlessness is lack of intentional awareness, not putting much effort into paying attention. Jackie, as with all newcomers to DBT and mindfulness, struggled at first to focus her attention in moments when she most needed to implement skills.