When a Snowstorm Becomes a DBT Lesson

This week started with historic snow for NYC, and, thanks to our partnership with Dr. Alec Miller's team and the ongoing guidance from our own clinicians, the snowstorm became a DBT lesson for me. As is the case for all of us, the pandemic dominated the past 11 months. It has been foremost in my thoughts, forming a new baseline for my day-to-day work and long-term planning. This week's extended period of snow, though, added a formidable disruption. A snowstorm introduces new responsibilities and needs, not to mention slush and puddles. With DBT guidance in mind, that disruption turned into a moment for radical acceptance skills, specifically a sequential use of awareness, acceptance, and action. First, even though I knew snow would melt, I also knew that related needs would not disappear. I was aware of that problem, and I accepted it as reality. Action could then follow, since I knew that acceptance was distinct from approval. Thinking this through helped me ensure that snowstorm needs were met for the school, and as I put my boots on, it helped me accept the slush and puddles as a reality that I could manage.

By Chris Ongaro
Head of School