Mindfulness of Thoughts with DBT

Greetings, and welcome to the fourth video in this series on dialectical thinking. In the previous video, we learned about the negativity bias which causes us to have ANTs, or automatic negative thoughts. In this video, we will learn how to become more mindful of these ANTs through a variety of simple interventions. So let’s get started.

Okay. So do you remember the magic formula of applied mindfulness that we learned in a, in a previous module? Remember, remember the three components of applied mindfulness, awareness, acceptance, and change? right. So remember that mindfulness, first and foremost, includes awareness of what’s happening in the moment, but mindfulness is not just awareness. It’s also acceptance of what’s happening in the moment. Do you remember how we discussed that you know, awareness and acceptance of the moment in and, in and of themselves often can cause great change, right. In fact, Awareness, and acceptance, is already change, and, and so that’s why we can’t really change anything until we’re first aware and accepting of what is happening. Now, once we become aware and accepting of what’s happening, sometimes we really do need to change something. But my point is, the awareness and acceptance is already change and already creates change.

Harris, R. (2009). ACT made simple: An easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy. New Harbinger Publications.,Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT skills training manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.,Reutter, K. (2019). The dialectical behavior therapy skills workbook for PTSD: Practical exercises for overcoming trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. New Harbinger Publications.

So The reason I’m making this, doing this review right now, is because this is exactly what needs to happen with our thoughts, right. So Changing our thoughts starts with becoming more aware and accepting of them, right? So often, awareness and acceptance al--, alone can cause major shifts in our thinking without further intervention. Now, of course, sometimes further intervention is also required, right? But we can’t change our thoughts if we’re not, first and foremost, already aware and accepting of them. That’s my point.

Harris, R. (2009). ACT made simple: An easy-to-read primer on acceptance and commitment therapy. New Harbinger Publications.,Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT skills training manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.,Reutter, K. (2019). The dialectical behavior therapy skills workbook for PTSD: Practical exercises for overcoming trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. New Harbinger Publications.