Mindfulness-Based Therapy at Midwest Counseling: DBT, CBT, and ACT
Mindfulness-based therapy helps individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in the present moment. By developing mindfulness skills, people learn how to respond to stress more effectively, reduce emotional distress, and build healthier coping strategies.
Rather than reacting automatically to difficult experiences, mindfulness-based approaches encourage individuals to pause, observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, and choose more intentional responses. Over time, this practice can lead to greater emotional balance, improved resilience, and stronger overall mental health.
At Midwest Counseling & Diagnostics, many of our therapists incorporate mindfulness techniques into several evidence-based treatments, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
These approaches are widely used to support individuals experiencing:
- Anxiety and chronic stress
- Depression and mood challenges
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Trauma and PTSD
- Eating disorders
- Relationship and interpersonal challenges
- Life transitions and burnout
Our goal is to help clients develop practical skills that promote emotional awareness, psychological flexibility, and long-term wellbeing.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, mindfulness-based treatment designed to help individuals manage intense emotions and build healthier coping skills. One of our DBT clinicians, Rose Metivier, LCPC, likes to say “DBT is a set of tangible and actionable skills, that help smuggle in a different world view. This approach can help you increase tolerance of ambiguity, the unwanted/unexpected, and get clear on what helps you build a life worth living.” We offer DBT as individual therapy and group therapy here at Midwest Counseling.
DBT focuses on four key skill areas:
- Mindfulness – developing present-moment awareness
- Emotional regulation – understanding and managing strong emotions
- Distress tolerance – coping with difficult situations without becoming overwhelmed
- Interpersonal effectiveness – improving communication and relationships
DBT therapy can be particularly helpful for individuals who experience intense emotional reactions, difficulty managing stress, or challenges in relationships.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) combines mindfulness practices with values-based action. One of our ACT clinicians, Dr. Danielle Doucette, states “I see ACT as a powerful way to build psychological flexibility, with the goal of individuals engaging in a life that they want to show up in, one that is in line with values, regardless of anxiety or other internal difficulties.”
Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts or emotions, ACT helps individuals learn to accept internal experiences while committing to behaviors aligned with their values and goals.
Through ACT therapy, clients learn to:
- Develop psychological flexibility
- Reduce avoidance of difficult emotions
- Clarify personal values
- Take meaningful steps toward a fulfilling life
ACT is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and life transitions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals recognize how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another.
When combined with mindfulness techniques, CBT encourages individuals to observe their thought patterns with greater awareness rather than automatically reacting to them.
Mindfulness-integrated CBT can help clients:
- Identify unhelpful thinking patterns
- Respond to thoughts with greater flexibility
- Reduce anxiety and rumination
- Develop healthier coping strategies
This combination of mindfulness and cognitive skills can lead to more balanced emotional responses and improved mental wellbeing.
At Midwest Counseling & Diagnostics, our therapists offer individual therapy that tailors treatment to each individual’s unique goals and experiences. We have licensed clinicians who are trained in DBT therapy, CBT therapy, and ACT therapy, allowing us to create personalized treatment plans that support meaningful and lasting change.
Through compassionate, evidence-based care, we help clients build the skills needed to feel more grounded, resilient, and empowered in their daily lives.
If you’re interested in learning how therapy can support your mental health, our team is here to help. To connect with our intake coordinator, Rachel Brennan, and find a therapist who may be a good fit, complete our contact form to get started.
Taking the first step toward therapy can open the door to greater self-awareness, emotional balance, and long-term wellbeing.
your healing journey today.