Skills for Shame and Self-Criticism: DBT + EBT Tools
Joanna Marino Joanna Marino

Skills for Shame and Self-Criticism: DBT + EBT Tools

Shame and self-criticism can feel motivating, but they often deepen anxiety, depression, and avoidance. This post explains how DBT and evidence-based tools can soften harsh self-talk, reduce shame spirals, and support steadier, values-based choices in daily life.

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DBT Distress Tolerance: Crisis Skills for Real Life
Joanna Marino Joanna Marino

DBT Distress Tolerance: Crisis Skills for Real Life

Distress tolerance skills can help you get through emotional storms without making things worse. Learn what DBT means by “crisis skills,” when to use them, and how to practice them in real life, including options for structured support.

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Family Therapy for Self-Harm: How Sessions Often Go
Joanna Marino Joanna Marino

Family Therapy for Self-Harm: How Sessions Often Go

Family therapy for self-harm is often less about “finding someone to blame” and more about building safety, steadier communication, and practical plans everyone can follow. This guide walks through how sessions commonly unfold, what therapists focus on first, and how caregivers can support change without escalating conflict.

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Teen Mood Swings vs Depression: How to Tell the Difference
Joanna Marino Joanna Marino

Teen Mood Swings vs Depression: How to Tell the Difference

Teen emotions can change quickly, and that can be normal. This guide helps parents and teens tell typical mood swings from possible depression, with clear warning signs, practical tracking tips, and guidance on when to seek evidence-based support.

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OCD and Perfectionism: Breaking the All-or-Nothing Cycle
Joanna Marino Joanna Marino

OCD and Perfectionism: Breaking the All-or-Nothing Cycle

Perfectionism can look like high standards, but OCD can turn “not quite right” into a relentless loop. Learn how all-or-nothing thinking fuels compulsions, what helps in the moment, and how evidence-based therapy like ERP supports lasting change.

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