Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Everyone struggles at some point in their life. It’s not smooth sailing for anybody. At some point, everyone is going to encounter some form of opposition or hardship. There are times when this external hardship, combined with internal factors such as a mental health condition or a genetic predisposition, can cause people to turn to unhealthy substances or behaviors as a means of coping with their difficulties.
In California, a state with around 39 million people, it’s inevitable that there will be many who struggle with substance abuse, process addiction, and mental health. Many of them will need treatment to address their concerns, and one of the treatments that can be used is Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Twilight Recovery is a luxury rehab center in Mexico, just a short drive south of San Diego, and we want to help people with mental health concerns or substance use disorders.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach initially developed by psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. It combines elements of cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts from dialectics, mindfulness, and acceptance strategies. DBT was developed as a treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has proven effective at treating conditions other than borderline personality disorder.
One of the key features of Dialectical Behavior Therapy is its dialectical approach, which emphasizes finding a balance between acceptance and change. Therapists using DBT validate clients’ experiences while also encouraging them to work towards positive change. Overall, DBT aims to improve emotional stability, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life for individuals struggling with significant emotional challenges.
What is DBT’s Relationship to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is rooted in the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) but expands upon them with additional components. Both therapies emphasize the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and aim to promote positive change. However, DBT incorporates mindfulness, acceptance strategies, and a dialectical approach that CBT does not typically include.
DBT’s mindfulness techniques help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions without judgment, enhancing self-awareness and emotional regulation. Acceptance strategies in DBT encourage clients to accept themselves and their experiences while also working towards change, fostering a balanced approach.
What Do DBT Sessions Feel Like?
DBT therapy sessions typically foster a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Therapists aim to create a safe space where clients feel heard, validated, and understood. Sessions often begin with a check-in, allowing clients to discuss their emotions, experiences, and any challenges they faced since the previous session.
DBT sessions can feel structured yet flexible, with therapists guiding discussions around specific skills and techniques tailored to each client’s needs. The therapist may introduce new skills or reinforce previously learned ones, incorporating role-playing exercises, worksheets, or guided meditations to enhance learning.
The atmosphere in DBT sessions should be nonjudgmental and validating, with therapists emphasizing acceptance and compassion. Clients are encouraged to speak openly and honestly without fear of being judged. Therapists often use dialectics, balancing validation with gentle challenges to promote growth and change.
Sessions may include discussions about real-life situations and how to apply DBT skills effectively. DBT therapists help clients identify behavioral patterns, emotions, and thoughts and work collaboratively with the patient to develop personalized strategies for managing challenges and achieving goals.
DBT sessions should feel supportive and empowering and be focused on practical skill-building. They provide a structured yet empathetic environment where clients can explore their experiences, learn new coping strategies, and work towards creating positive changes in their lives.
An important aspect is that DBT often uses diary cards. These cards can help track emotions, thoughts, and behavior and can be used for homework assignments in between sessions. They also provide space for reflection, and therapists can review entries to offer feedback.
What Skill Does DBT Teach?
DBT teaches various skills designed to help individuals manage their emotions, improve relationships, and cope with distressing situations more effectively. The skills training in DBT is concerned with the four following modules:
Mindfulness
DBT encourages individuals to actively engage in the present moment, acknowledging thoughts and emotions without criticism or attachment. This practice fosters self-awareness, enabling better emotional regulation by allowing individuals to observe their internal experiences without immediately reacting to them.
Distress Tolerance
In DBT, distress tolerance skills are essential for managing overwhelming situations. These skills include distraction methods to shift focus from distressing thoughts, engaging in self-soothing activities for emotional comfort, and practicing radical acceptance, which involves acknowledging and accepting challenging circumstances without judgment or resistance.
Emotion Regulation
DBT’s focus on emotion regulation empowers individuals to navigate their emotional landscape more effectively. Through identifying and labeling emotions, understanding barriers to regulation, and adopting healthy coping mechanisms, individuals can enhance their emotional resilience, fostering a more balanced and stable emotional experience in various life situations.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
DBT’s focus on interpersonal effectiveness skills equips individuals with tools to enhance communication, establish boundaries, and manage relationships successfully. By learning assertiveness, effective communication techniques, and conflict-resolution strategies, individuals can navigate interactions with others while upholding self-respect and fostering healthy, fulfilling relationships.
What Conditions Other Than BPD Does DBT Work to Treat?
While Dialectical Behavior Therapy was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT treatment can be adapted to address a wide range of mental health issues and can be effective for a variety of mental health conditions, including:
Depression
DBT’s integration of mindfulness practices, along with its focus on developing emotion regulation skills, can be tools for individuals struggling with depression, a disorder characterized by persistent low moods, feelings of emptiness, and even suicidal behavior in severe cases.
By cultivating awareness of thoughts and emotions without judgment and learning to regulate emotional responses, DBT can support improved symptom management and enhance overall mood stability.
Anxiety Disorders
The distress tolerance and mindfulness practices learned in DBT may offer effective coping strategies for individuals dealing with various anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. These skills empower individuals to manage anxiety symptoms and cultivate a sense of calm and control.
Eating Disorders
DBT’s comprehensive approach addresses the emotional and behavioral facets of eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. By targeting emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and developing coping mechanisms, DBT helps individuals develop healthier relationships with food, manage impulses, and address underlying emotional issues contributing to their eating disorders.
Substance Addiction
The emphasis that DBT places on coping skills and relapse prevention strategies provides vital support for individuals navigating recovery from substance use disorders. By fostering mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation, DBT equips individuals with tools to manage cravings, cope with triggers, and maintain sobriety successfully.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
DBT’s emphasis on distress tolerance and emotion regulation helps individuals with PTSD manage triggers effectively and alleviate symptoms. By cultivating skills in mindfulness and emotion regulation, DBT helps individuals develop resilience, cope with traumatic memories, and navigate daily challenges with greater ease and stability.
Bipolar Disorder
DBT skills, particularly mindfulness and emotion regulation, can help individuals with bipolar disorder navigate mood swings and build coping strategies for intense emotions. By fostering awareness and regulation, DBT supports stability and enhances individuals’ ability to manage their condition effectively.
What Are the Drawbacks of DBT?
While DBT has proven to be an effective treatment for many individuals, it’s not without drawbacks. One such drawback is its intensive nature, which typically involves weekly individual therapy sessions, group therapy, phone coaching, and homework assignments. This level of commitment can be a challenge for some individuals to maintain, particularly if their conditions make it hard for them to maintain focus or consistency.
Another drawback is that DBT requires a skilled and trained therapist. Finding a qualified DBT therapist can be difficult, especially in areas with limited mental health resources. Additionally, the structured nature of DBT may not be suitable for everyone’s needs, as some individuals may prefer more flexible or less directive approaches to therapy.
DBT skills training and its focus on behavioral change may also overlook deeper underlying issues in some cases. While it addresses symptoms effectively, it may not always delve deeply into the root causes of emotional struggles or trauma.
Furthermore, DBT’s emphasis on acceptance and change can sometimes create tension for individuals trying to balance these two aspects. Some may find it challenging to fully embrace acceptance while also striving for change, leading to potential conflicts or resistance within therapy.
We’re Here To Help
There are too many people across California and the United States as a whole who need therapy to address their struggles with their mental health or substance abuse. Too many people will not be able to find the help that they need because some will never acknowledge the problem, or they won’t have access to DBT or the right therapy that could help them with their struggles.
At Twilight Recovery, we want to give people the help that they need to make positive changes in their lives. Contact us now, and we can begin your recovery journey.
