What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT can be considered as a sort of cognitive-behavioral therapy that is meant to enable a person to control their emotions, distress, and relationships. Development Dialectical behavior therapy was originally developed by a psychologist called Marsha Linehan in the 1980s to treat a borderline personality disorder (BPD). Nowadays, it is broadly applicable in treatment of various emotional and behavioral issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders.
Dialectical is the word that signifies the combination of two ideas that may seem to be opposite to each other, acceptance and change. Under DBT, patients are taught to treat their emotions as legitimate in addition to trying to change dysfunctional behaviors that can disrupt their orientations. The balance forms a platform of mental wellness and emotional stability.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Used For?
Although dialectical behavioral therapy was initially meant to treat borderline personality disorder, it has been found to be useful in various mental illnesses. It is especially useful to those people who recognize their emotions as very intense or who have difficulties in controlling their impulsive behaviors.
Common conditions treated with DBT include:
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
- Depression and Anxiety Disorders.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- Eating Disorders (e.g. binge eating or Bulimia)
- Substance Use Disorders
- Self-harm behaviour or suicidal ideation.
In both of them, DBT assists a person in being more emotionally controlled, less harmful, and creating a life worth living by developing skills and becoming mindful.
How Do I Find a DBT Therapist?
One of the steps towards recovery is to find a competent dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapist. DBT is a model that is best offered by licensed professionals who have undergone specialized training in this evidence-based model.
Here are a few tips to help you find the right DBT therapist:
- Find certified DBT providers: Find therapists with formal training or certification in accredited institutions of DBT.
- Inquire about full-fledged DBT programs: DBT treatment that combines the individual therapy and the exercise of group skills is the most effective one.
- Inquire whether telehealth is possible: There are several clinics, such as Solutions Healthcare, where virtual DBT sessions are also possible due to their convenience and increased accessibility.
- Check on specialization: Check that the therapist is experienced with your area of worry which is of the trauma, anxiety, or personality disorders.
Structured DBT techniques are applied by our trained clinicians at Solutions Healthcare in assisting clients to build the long-term strategies of coping, emotional control, and enhanced self-identity.
How Does Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Work?
The dialectical behavior therapy works on the basis of four central modules, which develop the necessary life and emotional skills:
- Mindfulness: Training to be in the present and aware of the now without judgment. Mindfulness allows one to note their thoughts and feelings rather than responding unintentionally.
- Distress Tolerance: Acquiring new and constructive ways of managing stress, crisis or emotional pains. This will involve learning strategies such as self-soothing and distraction to cope with the hard emotions.
- Emotion Regulation: Training on how to become aware and how to control intense emotions in order to prevent emotional tantrums or emotional mood swings.Patients are taught how to recognize emotions, become less vulnerable, and have more positive experiences.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Construction of the reinforcing relationship by enhanced communication, boundary enhancement and respectful demands.
DBT therapy is normally combined to include individual therapy, group skills training, telephone training and therapist consultation teams. All these factors combine to make sure that the clients receive uninterrupted support and responsibility as they go through their healing process.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Benefits of DBT
- Better emotional management and self-awareness.
- Impulsivity and self-destructiveness decreased.
- Increased interpersonal competencies and interpersonal satisfaction.
- Better capacity to withstand painful events.
- Less suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
- More self-awareness and relaxation.
Risks or Challenges
DBT can also be associated with difficulties as any other treatment. It may be an emotionally tense process since individuals are provoked to address painful memories and patterns. It also involves regular dedication to homework, practice and attendance. Nevertheless, through the assistance of trained clinicians at Solutions Healthcare, these issues could be overcome and measurable improvement in the emotional and mental state of clients would be observed.
Support at Solutions Healthcare
At Solutions Healthcare, we focus on such evidence-based therapies such as dialectical behavioral therapy to help people facing emotional dysregulation, trauma, and mental difficulties.
Our caring licensed therapists provide a safe and conducive setting where clients can discover their feelings, find out their behavioral triggers and acquire practical skills to apply in real world.
We offer:
- Single sessions of DBT therapy.
- Group DBT skills training
- Telehealth therapy options
- Complete mental health examinations.
- Restoration and relapse prevention.
We think that the process of healing starts with the knowledge and that each person should be provided with the opportunity to live a full balanced life. In case you or someone you know might need some help through DBT, call Solutions Healthcare in the present day at (386) 866-3600 to make an appointment to have a confidential talk.
FAQs About Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
1. What is dialectical behavior therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) represents a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which addresses the issue of assisting individuals in balancing acceptance and change. It trains mindfulness, emotional control, interpersonal, and distress tolerance capabilities.
2. What is an example of dialectical behavioral therapy?
One such application of DBT is when an individual in a highly angry situation employs techniques of mindfulness and distress tolerance to take a break and breathe and evaluate themselves and their emotions before acting on impulse.
3. What is the 24-hour rule in DBT?
According to the 24-hour rule of DBT, in case a client self-hurts, he or she cannot be provided with phone coaching within 24 hours. This promotes responsibility and discourages the encouragement of bad behavior.
4. What’s the difference between CBT and DBT?
CBT is more concerned with modifying behavior and thoughts that are unhelpful whereas DBT embraces mindfulness and acceptance techniques to help them regulate their emotions and accept distress. DBT is particularly useful with individuals who have severe emotional responses.
5. Why is DBT criticized?
There are critics who believe that DBT may be demanding in terms of time or emotional ordeal and therefore needs high commitment. Nevertheless, it has always been reported that it is one of the most efficient strategies in treatment of emotional dysregulation and self-destructive behaviors.
