Calming the Emotional Storm
by Sheri Van Dijk, MSW
Summary
A more approachable, self-help-oriented adaptation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) than clinical workbooks, this book is specifically aimed at readers who experience emotions as sudden, intense "storms" that feel difficult to see coming or manage once they start. It bridges clinical rigor and everyday readability especially well.
Who it's for
Readers whose emotional intensity feels sudden and overwhelming — like a storm arriving with little warning — who want DBT-based skills without a dense clinical workbook format.
Key takeaways
- DBT-based skills adapted specifically for sudden, intense emotional swings rather than chronic low-grade distress
- Techniques for building distress tolerance in the moment an emotional "storm" hits
- A more approachable, less clinical writing style than denser DBT workbooks, without losing the substance
Sheri Van Dijk specializes in DBT for mood disorders, and this book adapts core DBT skills specifically for readers who experience their emotions as sudden, overwhelming “storms” rather than a steady, manageable hum of feeling.
Its writing style sits between a clinical workbook and a general self-help book — substantive enough to be genuinely useful, but more approachable than some denser DBT resources, making it a good middle option for readers who find fully clinical workbooks intimidating.
Available on Amazon
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