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What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a talk therapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
The therapy treatment is specially modified for individuals who feel emotions intensely.
Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been adapted for various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
DBT involves combining traditional cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. It emphasizes accepting and validating the patient’s experiences while encouraging change.
The therapy focuses on building skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Integrating these skills, DBT helps individuals balance acceptance and change, improving emotional stability and interpersonal relationships.
When is DBT Used?
At Steps Recovery Centers, we use DBT as a highly effective treatment option for individuals with challenges managing and regulating emotions. Our expert team finds DBT especially effective for dual diagnosis, when substance abuse and mental health issues overlap. We consider using DBT when a patient typically has one of the following issues:
How Does Dialectical Behavior Therapy Work?
Dialectical behavior therapy can be administered in individual therapy, group settings, or both.
Sessions typically last approximately two hours, and patients meet weekly for up to six months.
DBT has four basic components, and the specific technique depends on the individual patient’s needs and progress.
The following are the four components of DBT:
Learning to use mindfulness
Mindfulness teaches patients to focus on the “here and now” moment and helps them become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Practicing mindfulness and focusing on the present allows individuals to avoid catching up on past regrets or future worries.
When practicing mindfulness, patients learn to:
- Identify and observe their thoughts, emotions, and surroundings
- Describe their situation in a manner that makes it easy for others and themselves to understand
- Actively participate in value-based and goal-directed behaviors
Learning about interpersonal effectiveness
This technique guides patients in communicating effectively, building and fostering healthy relationships, and expressing themselves.
It focuses on interacting positively with people, including family, friends, and colleagues. Patients learn new skills for navigating stressful challenges and dealing with personal relationships.
During the sessions, patients are taught how to:
- Communicate clearly
- Let go of past animosity
- Learn to say no
- Ask for whatever they need without feeling a loss of respect
Learning about distresses tolerance
This module teaches patients techniques to manage their overwhelming emotions and difficult situations.
Patients practice DBT skills training in accepting change and how to manage better and deal with crises.
These include:
- How to improve stressful situations
- Learn to self-soothe
- Identify ways to distract yourself
Learning to regulate emotions
This module is typically the last DBT skill taught at the therapy session.
DBT focuses on techniques that help people understand and manage their emotions. Learning these emotion regulation skills can improve one’s ability to feel less vulnerable, regulate one’s emotions, and become confident in one’s ability to control one’s feelings.
This technique best suits fiercely intense people who often feel overwhelmed, angry, depressed, frustrated, or anxiety-ridden.
Benefits of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
The following are some of the crucial benefits of starting DBT:
With DBT treatment, patients become aware of their complex emotions and thought structures that influence behaviors and choices. This empowers them to make healthy choices when facing overwhelming situations or intense emotions.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy helps patients build self-esteem and improve their relationships. The treatment encourages patients to understand and accept themselves as complex people. When they accept themselves, they take responsibility for their negative thoughts and actions and stop blaming others for their shortcomings.
DBT work enhances interpersonal effectiveness and communication skills, empowering people to handle distress and conflict.
They develop effective strategies and healthy coping skills to maintain positive thoughts and behaviors when facing difficult situations.
What to Expect at Steps Recovery Center
Steps Recovery Center leverages behavioral skills, therapeutic techniques, and tools to improve our client’s mental health and overall well-being. For many patients in Utah, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) provides the best support for overcoming substance abuse and certain mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), anxiety, and depression.
Our licensed and experienced DBT therapists offer a multistage DBT approach alongside other treatment plans designed to change unhealthy thought patterns and improve mood regulation.
The following are the approaches to our Dialectical Behavior Therapy treatment:
Stage 1
This stage addresses severely destructive behaviors such as suicide or self-injury.
The therapy is centered on safety and crisis intervention.
It helps patients achieve some control over their problematic behaviors.
Stage 2
This stage equips one with life skills like distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
The goal of this stage is to encourage patients to experience their emotional pain instead of buying it.
Stage 3
Focuses on enhancing relationships and self-esteem.
This stage seeks to develop skills that promote happiness and stability.
Step 4
Promotes relationship connections.
This stage seeks to empower one to maintain a long-lasting capacity for success and happiness.
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Start Your Path to Healing with DBT Therapy in Utah
Steps Recovery Center offers highly effective Dialectical Behavior Therapy treatments as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan designed to help people improve their relationships and enhance their quality of life.
Our therapists equip patients with the various skills, training, and tools that help them effectively manage their emotions to lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
Steps Recovery Centers is a collection of several different facilities in Utah. We utilize proven methods to help those struggling with mental health conditions regain control over their lives and walk the path of recovery.
Our services include medical detox, residential treatment, day treatment, intensive outpatients, sober living, and alumni aftercare.
Contact a licensed mental health professional at our facilities today to schedule a consultation.
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