7 September 2015

Walking the middle road in practice

The idea of ‘walking the middle road’ is a core concept in dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), a therapeutic approach developed by Marsha Linehan which involves excellent strategies to help us recognise and regulate our emotions. The ‘middle road’ approach encourages using “both/and” thinking, which is about seeing things from many different angles and trying to see the grey area rather than seeing things in a black and white way.

This involves validating your own and others’ emotions and perspectives. Validating yourself means telling yourself that what you feel is real, even if others may not understand why you feel that way. This means not necessarily needing others to understand what you feel, which can allow you to better deal with your emotions independently. Validating others involves being mindful of what you think others may be feeling and telling them what you observe. It means telling someone that you ‘get’ what they are feeling, even if you would not feel the same in their position or do not approve of their actions or reactions.

Another part of the ‘middle road’ approach is remembering to balance your attitude between acceptance and change. This means trying to accept your current circumstances and emotions as well as knowing that difficult situations never last forever. It also means trying to accept our own short comings and difficulties, at the same time as persisting in trying to change in order to improve ourselves and the way we cope with the things our lives throw at us.

The ‘middle road’ approach is a helpful mindset that can be used by all of us to help maintain a calm, wise and balanced approach to life.

Dr Rani Simpson=