Baker Family Counseling, LLC
Karen Baluch, LPCC-S, LICDC, LMHC
Certified EMDR practitioners
179 Broad Street, Conneaut, Ohio 44030
1418 W. 3rd Street, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
440-487-7930 office
208-418-9051 fax
email: bakerfamilycounseling@bakerhealth.org
Meet Kevin, the playful Westie with some big emotions! Kevin learns to stay calm with DBT skills!
Read his story below….
Kevin the Wise Westie -Learns to Stay Calm
Kevin, a fluffy, happy, and oh-so-playful Westie puppy, had a problem—he struggled to control his emotions. Whether chasing his tail or barking at a falling leaf, Kevin’s excitement often got the best of him. But when he felt scared or upset, his little body would tremble, and he’d yip until his throat was sore.
One sunny morning, Kevin’s owner, a kind woman named Ms. Lily, noticed Kevin was extra barky. The mailman had just walked by, and Kevin was still growling and hopping in circles. “Kevin, sweet boy,” Ms. Lily cooed, kneeling beside him. “I think it’s time you learn some skills to stay calm.”
Ms. Lily had learned a lot about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and thought they might help Kevin too. “Let’s start with STOP,” she said.
Skill 1: STOP
“Okay, Kevin. S is for Stop!” Ms. Lily commanded gently, holding up a hand. Kevin froze, one paw in the air.
“T is for Take a Step Back,” she said, nudging him gently. Kevin wobbled back a step, confused but curious.
“O is for Observe,” Ms. Lily pointed to the window. Kevin peered out, noticing the mailman was far down the street now.
“And P is for Proceed Mindfully,” Ms. Lily encouraged. Kevin gave a little sniff and decided there was no danger. He trotted to his bed, wagging his tail.
Ms. Lily grinned. “Good boy, Kevin! Let’s try another.”
Skill 2: TIP
Later that day, a rumble of thunder shook the house. Kevin leaped under the table, shaking. Ms. Lily joined him on the floor.
“T is for Temperature,” she said, wrapping a cool, damp towel around Kevin. The chill felt soothing, and Kevin’s tremors slowed.
“I is for Intense Exercise,” Ms. Lily said, grabbing Kevin’s favorite squeaky toy. They played tug-of-war until Kevin’s nervous energy melted away.
“And P is for Paced Breathing,” she instructed, rubbing his chest in slow, rhythmic motions. Kevin took deeper, steadier breaths. The storm still grumbled, but Kevin stayed calm.
Skill 3: DEAR MAN
The next day, Kevin spotted Ms. Lily cooking bacon. His little body quivered with excitement. He yipped and jumped, but Ms. Lily held up a finger. “Kevin, let’s try DEAR MAN to ask nicely.”
“D is for Describe,” Ms. Lily said. “Tell me what you want.” Kevin sat and gave a soft, pleading bark.
“E is for Express,” she continued. Kevin wagged his tail wildly, eyes wide with excitement.
“A is for Assert,” Ms. Lily guided. Kevin put his paw on her knee gently.
“R is for Reinforce,” she said, pulling out a treat. “Ask calmly, and you’ll get rewards!” Kevin’s ears perked up.
“M is for Mindful,” she reminded, patting his head. Kevin focused on her face.
“A is for Appear Confident,” she encouraged. Kevin stood tall, chest puffed out.
“N is for Negotiate,” she finished, breaking off a piece of bacon. Kevin got a taste, and he happily trotted away.
Skill 4: Radical Acceptance
One rainy day, Kevin realized he couldn’t go to the park. He barked and whined, pawing at the door. Ms. Lily knelt beside him.
“Kevin, sometimes things don’t go the way we want,” she said. “That’s when we use Radical Acceptance. We accept reality as it is.” She showed Kevin a cozy blanket and a chew toy. Reluctantly, Kevin flopped down. Soon, he was happily gnawing away, accepting his rainy-day fate.
A Wise Westie Emerges
Over the weeks, Kevin practiced his DBT skills. He learned to pause, observe, and react calmly. He greeted the mailman politely, handled storms like a champ, and asked for treats with grace.
One sunny afternoon, Kevin trotted up to Ms. Lily, a wise glimmer in his eye. He sat proudly, chest puffed out. Ms. Lily laughed and scratched his ears.
“My wise little Westie,” she beamed. “Look at you—calm, cool, and collected.”
Kevin gave a happy bark and a wag of his tail. He had learned that even the most excitable pups could find peace with the right skills—and maybe a treat or two!
By Karen Baluch, LPCC-S, LMHC, LICDC
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