KZN Advisory Centre

11/02/2026

DBT stands for Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.

It’s about learning how to live with emotions instead of constantly fighting them.

What I appreciate about DBT is that it holds two truths at the same time. You are doing the best you can and you can learn new skills to cope better.

It doesn’t shame you for how you feel, and it doesn’t ask you to “just calm down.” It meets you where you are and then gently teaches you how to move forward.

In practice, DBT helps people learn skills around emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and relationships. That means learning how to ride emotional waves without being pulled under, how to get through hard moments without making things worse, how to stay present, and how to communicate needs and boundaries more clearly.

I often see DBT help people who feel everything deeply, those who struggle with intense emotions, impulsive reactions, self-criticism, or feeling out of control when stressed.

What changes isn’t the presence of emotions, but the relationship with them. Emotions stop feeling like emergencies and start feeling like information.
DBT isn’t about becoming emotionless or “better behaved.” It’s about building a life that feels more stable, more intentional, and more compassionate, especially toward yourself.

11/02/2026

TRAUMA RESPONSES: Your Nervous System Is Trying to Protect You

When we talk about trauma, we often focus on what happened.
But healing begins when we understand how our body responded.

The nervous system has different ways of keeping us safe. None of them mean you are weak, dramatic, or “too much.” They are survival wisdom.

You may notice:

↳ Fight – feeling easily triggered, defensive, or intense
↳ Flight – staying busy, overworking, distracting yourself
↳ Freeze – shutting down, feeling numb or stuck
↳ Fawn – people-pleasing, avoiding conflict to keep peace
↳ Flop – feeling physically drained, powerless, or collapsed

These are not personality flaws.
They are protective patterns your body learned when safety felt uncertain.

Across cultures, families, and generations, many of us were taught to “be strong” or “adjust.” But real strength is learning to listen gently to your own nervous system.

Healing does not require reliving everything.
It begins with awareness, compassion, and small regulated steps.

You deserve healing that feels respectful, steady, and empowering. Trust and allow the Process !!

11/02/2026