LET'S KEEP IT REAL - DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can be a standard behavioral weight management strategy for adults and adolescents . Traditionally, behavioral weight management programs yield inconsistent outcomes, particularly for emotional eaters. Based on my experience with including DBT in my practice, improved emotion regulation, facilitate greater success in adopting weight management techniques among emotional eaters. A case study of one of my clients reported a history of unsuccessful weight loss attempts, and she initially presented with limited awareness of her emotions. DBT portion of treatment, my client learned to identify emotional eating triggers (e.g., anxious, emotionally displaced, inadequate, etc.). Useful strategies for effectively responding to emotions (e.g., nonjudgmental awareness and checking the facts). Subsequently, during the weight management sessions, my client use of emotion regulation skills expanded as she encountered and overcame barriers to implementing good health and weight management techniques. Post-treatment assessment results indicated that emotional eating decreased. Furthermore, her weight improved and reached her goal and she continued to maintain her weight as a lifestyle approach over the 6-month follow-up. Adults and adolescents seeking help with weight management who also struggle with emotional eating may benefit from emotional eating behavior techniques with DBT prior to focusing on weight management goals.

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