What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a common form of talk therapy used in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. It’s a type of treatment in which you’ll learn a great deal about yourself and learn to manage your intense thoughts and feelings.
Developed as a treatment for those with borderline personality disorder, today DBT is used for a wide range of conditions. It may be a part of your treatment process at Victory Addiction Recovery Center.
What Is Involved in DBT?
This type of talk therapy is much like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with some differences. In both therapies, you’ll learn to recognize how your thought patterns ultimately direct how you act and the behaviors you struggle with, and you’ll learn how to change them.
With CBT, you’ll understand how your thoughts directly impact your emotions and behaviors. With dialectical, which means “combining opposite ideas,” the focus is on accepting the reality of your life and behaviors, while also learning how to make better decisions.
When Is DBT Used?
There are numerous situations where DBT can be helpful. It is typically a recommendation for those who are facing difficulty managing emotions. For many people with SUD who also have a mental health disorder, this type of treatment can be very effective. It may be used with other needs as well, including those who are facing:
- Self-harming behaviors
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Borderline personality disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
DBT can be very effective in helping to treat conditions that many people who have an SUD suffer, some of which you may not realize are occurring. As a component of our co-occurring disorder treatment, we’ll work closely with you to determine if this type of care is best suited for your needs.
Why DBT Matters
DBT is very important for several reasons. Many times, those who struggle with SUD do so because of their thoughts. You may have intense, negative thoughts that you find hard to control. When you can’t control those negative emotions, you may turn to substances as a way to get relief, even if you don’t know that’s what you’re doing.
DBT helps you recognize what’s really happening. It then allows you to address these factors. You’ll learn how to cope in a healthier manner.
What Happens in DBT Treatment?
After you’ve started working with our therapist and counselor, we’ll work with you to create an individualized therapy plan. Our goal is always to ensure you get the type and level of care best suited to your needs. You can expect several things to occur during this process.
Pre-Assessment
This is when we’ll just start talking about what you’re experiencing. We’ll determine how suitable this therapy may be for you and answer any questions you have. We’ll then explain exactly what you can expect throughout the process and what we’re working to accomplish for your individual needs. There’s never any pressure throughout this process.
Individual Therapy
Most sessions last between 40 minutes and an hour. During that time, we’ll set some goals for the therapy session and work on them. Our goal includes:
- Limiting behaviors that get in the way of any productive therapy.
- Establishing strategies to keep you from self-harming or suicidal behaviors
- Create a plan to reach your goals and improve your quality of life, including addressing the specific factors that are holding you back
- Help you build new skills to replace the unhealthy behaviors you have
You’ll keep track of the emotions you have and the actions that tend to follow them. We’re looking for patterns of behavior and what’s triggering them.
Group Training
Many times, group therapy can be a powerful tool for DBT effectiveness. You’ll learn to develop critical skills and navigate sessions about changing your thought processes with your therapist. During these sessions, you’ll build skills in key areas, including:
- Mindfulness, the practice of being aware and focused on the present instead of worrying about anything that is to come
- Distress tolerance, a process that helps you understand and manage emotions in high-stress situations without engaging in harmful and negative behaviors
- Interpersonal effectiveness, an area that focuses on addressing how to ask for what you need and communicate boundaries to respect yourself and others
- Emotion regulation, a process that allows you to become more aware of your emotions while also learning to address them
The benefits of DBT are numerous. Many people find that they are less likely to turn to substances to manage emotions and mental health matters. You may feel less depressed and more in control over your actions.
Learn How We Can Help You Today
Victory Addiction Recovery Center is built to support you through individual therapy programs. Take the time now to learn more about the wide range of therapy options we offer. Every one of them is an opportunity for you to heal. Contact us now.