Reflection Journal Three: Related Learning
Aaliyah Edwards-Chambers
School of Behavioral Sciences Liberty University
TRMA 840
Author Note
Aaliyah Edwards-Chambers
Department of Community Care & Counseling
I have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence regarding this article should be addressed to Aaliyah Edwards-
Chambers Email: AEdwards72@Liberty.Edu
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Reflection Journal Three: Related Learning
Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde once stated “I don't want to be at the mercy of my
emotions. I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them” (). This quote resonates with
one of the topics that were covered most recently in class readings. According to () “Many
individuals who meet criteria for borderline personality disorder have histories of childhood
trauma that may have contributed to their difficulty regulating affect” (p. 90). In this week’s
reflection I have chosen to focus on that of Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, while not directly geared at treating distressing memories
from trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder, is often a form of therapy utilized for individuals
who have experienced borderline personality disorder. In which individuals who have this
diagnosis tend to experience emotions in a manner that an individual who had more appropriate
emotional regulation would not experience should they experience / live through the same
emotions.
In utilizing DBT to treat individuals with this disorder, the individual is not only
equipped with the appropriate tools to address the negative emotions they are experiencing, but
as they obtain a grasp on that of said tools the individual is able to move forward with treatment
of their trauma, and thus lessen the likelihood of having severe reactions within their recovery
process.
3 Things Learned
What is Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
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According to Sweezy (2011) “Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) teaches skills for
change and acceptance that are indexed to the impulsive and self-harming behaviors described
under the diagnosis borderline personality disorder in the DSM–IV–R” (p. 90). Often individuals
who have borderline personality disorder are described as individuals who experience
a breakdown in emotional regulation that can make a person more impulsive, have a negative
impact on how they feel about themselves, and damage the connections they have with other
people (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). It is estimated that approximately 1.4% of the
United States population are affected by borderline personality disorder, and that of the
individuals diagnosed approximately 75% of the individuals are women ; Interestingly research
shows that men are equally as affected by this diagnosed however are often wrongly diagnosed
with that of depression or PTSD (National Alliance of Mental Illness, n.d.).
Internal Family Systems
Schwartz explains the framework for an internal system as that of a system in
which anyone can attend to mindfully. It consists of a Self, which he refers to as having the most
prominent characteristics of compassion and curiosity, as well as numerous components that can
be thought of as subpersonalities and which are most readily apparent when one experiences
strong emotions, passionate views, or strong sensations of physicality (Sweezy, 2011).
Furthermore, Internal Family Systems therapy is commonly utilized as an empirically proven
psychotherapy which encourages recovery by allowing patients to recognize and treat their
damaged and protecting inner selves. Internal Family Systems therapy promotes both inner and
outer connectivity by assisting individuals in first connecting with their Self and then, from that
foundation, learning about and healing their parts (IFS Institute, n.d.)
Importance of Integrating DBT and other Therapies
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It is often pertinent and beneficial to integrate DBT and other forms of empirical based
modalities for treatment because often if individuals are still experiencing the maladaptive
coping skills that manifest as a symptom of their borderline personality disorder, they may also
utilize these methods if they are triggered strongly by the trauma that they are addressing in
treatment. However, if the individual is equipped with the appropriate tools to address the
emotions that result as a means of them addressing their trauma it lessens the likelihood of them
harming themselves, or others. According to Schwartz (2019) “The aim of this approach is not to
get rid of your emotions, rather it is to reduce suffering related to ineffective reactions to your
emotions” (paragraph 5). Again, once an individual knows to appropriately address their
emotions that may be triggered, they are less likely to engage in self-harm.
Christian Worldview
Proverbs 1:5 states “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who
understands obtain guidance.” This resonates because as individuals learn the appropriate tools to
mitigate their strong emotions, they receive guidance in a sense on how to address their trauma
and the feelings that come with it. Furthermore, it addresses how we as helping professionals
utilize empirical modalities in an attempt to guide individuals to healthier coping strategies, and
ultimately their recovery.
Furthermore 2 Corinthians 5:17 states “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” I believe that this relates because
as the individual goes through treatment they become a new individual in the sense that they no
longer handle situations to the same extremities that they once did if DBT is indeed successful
and they are able to address their trauma efficiently.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are many empirical based modalities that are specified for
PTSD other treatment methods are often beneficial in that they treat pre-existing issues first and
thus allows the individual to focus on their trauma once everything else has been mitigated.
Furthermore, it can be said that individuals who have trauma, even if not diagnosed with
borderline personality disorder, are able to utilize these modalities in order to lessen the
likelihood of the individual responding poorly to triggers manifested by their trauma.
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References
IFS Institute. (n.d.). What is Internal Family Systems? What is Internal Family Systems? | IFS
Institute. https://ifs-institute.com/
National Alliance of Mental Illness. (n.d.). Borderline personality disorder | NAMI: National
Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI: National Alliance on Mental
Illness. https://nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Borderline-
Personality-Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Borderline personality disorder. National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-
disorder
Schwartz, A. (2019, February 19). One moment, please... One moment,
please... https://drarielleschwartz.com/dbt-for-trauma-treatment/#.ZF3RnRHMK3A
Sweezy, M. (2011). Treating trauma after dialectical behavioral therapy. Journal of
Psychotherapy Integration, 21(1), 90-102. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023011
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