Why write Real Skills for Real Life

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In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jesse Finkelstein to discuss Real Skills for Real Life, co-authored with Dr. Shireen Rizvi. The book offers a practical, accessible introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), translating a well-established clinical framework into skills that can be applied in everyday life.

Rather than focusing on diagnoses, Real Skills for Real Life centers on universal human experiences—stress, emotional overwhelm, relationship challenges, and loss—and presents DBT as a compassionate, skills-based approach to navigating them. The conversation broadly explores how DBT balances acceptance and change, why a skills-focused lens can reduce shame, and how evidence-based psychological tools can be used outside the therapy room.

This episode is relevant for clinicians, students, and general listeners interested in grounded, practical approaches to emotion regulation, relationships, and resilience in an increasingly complex world.

Jesse Finkelstein, PsyD
Dr. Jesse Finkelstein is a licensed clinical psychologist and DBT trainer based in New York City. He earned his PsyD from Rutgers University, where he received extensive training in DBT under the mentorship of Dr. Rizvi. He has since built a clinical practice specializing in emotion regulation, anxiety, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Dr. Finkelstein is known for his engaging teaching style and his ability to translate complex psychological concepts into clear, practical guidance for both clinicians and the general public. In addition to his clinical work, he provides DBT training and consultation and is committed to making evidence-based skills approachable, flexible, and relevant to everyday life.

Shireen L. Rizvi, PhD, ABPP
Dr. Shireen Rizvi is a licensed clinical psychologist, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University, and an internationally recognized expert in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She trained under Dr. Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington and later founded the Rutgers DBT Clinic, where she has played a central role in training clinicians and advancing the dissemination of evidence-based care.

Dr. Rizvi’s research and clinical work focus on emotion regulation, trauma, and the application of DBT across diverse clinical and real-world contexts. She is board certified in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and books, including Chain Analysis in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is widely respected for bridging rigorous clinical science with compassionate, accessible teaching.

Website: https://www.shireenrizvi.com

Rutgers University Profile / Rutgers DBT Clinic: https://psych.rutgers.edu/academics/clinical-psychology/clinical-faculty/shireen-l-rizvi
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/ShireenRizvi

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shireen-rizvi-phd/
Jesse Finkelstein, PsyD

Website: https://www.drfinkelstein.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjessefinkelstein/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessefinkelstein/