Life can be filled with difficulties, and we all feel pain, sadness, or fear at times. For some people, these emotions can become so overwhelming that they are unable to function in daily life.
As part of its outpatient Women’s Program, Princeton House Behavioral Health offers an Emotion Regulation Program to help women in acute emotional distress increase
their self-compassion and coping skills and regain control over their lives.
“Sometimes, life just gets the best of us — we may struggle to regulate feelings like sadness, worry, or fear,” says Judith Margolin, PsyD, Clinical Director of the Women's Program. “We’re here to help women increase self-awareness and develop the skills needed to compassionately deal with the difficulties they are experiencing.”
Women admitted to the Emotion Regulation Program may suffer from underlying depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorders, and are often experiencing overwhelming distress brought on by life events, such as loss or relationship difficulties. The program uses group and individual therapy; expressive therapies such as yoga, art, and writing; and family involvement, with a focus on:
- Self-compassion, including ways to move from self-criticism toward more self-kindness and acceptance, and a greater sense of contentment and safety in life.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a highly effective way to learn skills to deal with distress and overwhelming emotions.
- Mindfulness, which is the ability to be present in what’s happening in the moment, in a nonjudgmental way.
“We teach clients that although being imperfect, failing, or suffering may be inevitable in life, we can replace self-criticism with a kinder approach,” Dr. Margolin says. “If you’re compassionate with yourself, you’re also more likely to direct kindness and compassion toward others.”
In addition to emotion regulation, the Women’s Program offers specialized programs in women’s DBT, trauma, trauma and addiction, emotional eating, and a teen girls’ program. Programs are offered at locations in Princeton, Hamilton, North Brunswick, Moorestown, and Eatontown at the partial hospital and intensive outpatient levels.
For more information, call 888.437.1610 or visit princetonhouse.org/women.
One Patient's Story
Learn about one patient’s success with our Women’s DBT Program.
