Tag: DBT

Functioning Levels of the Brain

Posted on by John

The brain is the part of the body that coordinates and controls how our bodies work to understand the world we live in and keep us alive.  Often science breaks brain function down into three regions; the brain stem, the limbic system and the neo-cortex.  These areas are sometimes referred to as the lizard brain, the mammalian brain, and the executive or human brain.   

Here are some of the functions of each area:

Brain Stem (Lizard Brain)

  • Heart rate
  • Breathing
  • Hunger
  • Sleep
  • Fight or flight

Limbic System (Mammalian Brain)

  • Emotions: Love, Anger, Fear, Happiness
  • Habits
  • Memory

Neo-Cortex (Executive or Human Brain)

  • Control of Attention and Awareness (Mindfulness)
  • Override of the lower two systems
  • Problem solving
  • Goal Directed Behavior

In this YouTube Clip, Dr. Russ Harris describes each level of functioning by replicating Dr. Dan Siegel’s hand model of the brain.

Marsha Linehan and Mindfulness Skills

Posted on by John

Marsha Linehan brought mindfulness to counseling and therapy. From her studies she created skills that can be learned to accept and change yourself. In this video she explains the skills of Observe, Describe, and Participate. At Mindful Transitions Counseling of Fort Collins, John Kinnaird LCSW uses mindfulness based therapy and counseling to help clients transition through life challenges.

DBT and Acceptance

Posted on by John

Marsha Linehan, the founder of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), shares how she found acceptance. From her study, she developed skills and counseling strategies to help people accept themselves, solve life problems and move towards their potential.

Mindfulness, Acceptance and Counseling