Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Summary

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that was originally developed to help individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) manage their intense emotions and improve their relationships with others. However, DBT has also been shown to be effective in treating other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders.

DBT combines traditional CBT techniques with mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies to help individuals develop skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. The goal of DBT is to help individuals learn to balance acceptance and change in order to live a more fulfilling life.

Some key components of DBT include:

  • Individual therapy: Weekly one-on-one therapy sessions with a trained DBT therapist to work on developing skills and addressing individual concerns.
  • Skills groups: Weekly group sessions where individuals learn and practice DBT skills, such as emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
  • Phone coaching: Between-session phone support from a therapist to help individuals apply skills in real-time situations.
  • Consultation team: Ongoing consultation and support for DBT therapists to ensure effective treatment delivery.

DBT is a highly structured and comprehensive approach to therapy that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. It is typically delivered over a course of several months to a year, depending on the individual’s needs and goals.

If you struggle with intense emotions or have difficulty regulating your mood and behavior, DBT may be an effective treatment option for you. Contact our trained DBT therapists to learn more about how DBT can help you improve your mental health and well-being.

What Mental Illnesses is DBT for?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), a mental health condition characterized by intense emotions, unstable relationships, and impulsive behaviors. However, DBT has also been shown to be effective in treating a range of other mental health issues, including:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Substance use disorders
  • Eating disorders, such as bulimia and binge-eating disorderBipolar disorder
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Self-harm behaviors and suicidal thoughts

DBT focuses on helping individuals develop skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. By learning these skills, individuals can better manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with others. DBT is typically delivered over a course of several months to a year, and involves individual therapy sessions, skills groups, phone coaching, and consultation team meetings.

If you are struggling with any of these mental health concerns, or have difficulty regulating your emotions or behavior, DBT may be an effective treatment option for you. It is important to work with our trained DBT therapists to determine if DBT is right for you and to receive personalized treatment that meets your unique needs and goals.

What is the difference between DBT and CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are both evidence-based forms of therapy that focus on helping individuals manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. While there are some similarities between CBT and DBT, there are also some key differences.

Here are some of the main differences between CBT and DBT:

  1. Target population: CBT is typically used to treat a range of mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety disorders, and OCD, while DBT was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), and has since been shown to be effective in treating other mental health concerns, such as substance use disorders and eating disorders.
  2. Emphasis on acceptance: While both CBT and DBT focus on helping individuals change problematic thoughts and behaviors, DBT places a greater emphasis on acceptance and mindfulness. DBT encourages individuals to accept their emotions and thoughts without judgment, and to use mindfulness techniques to manage intense emotions.
  3. Group therapy: DBT includes group therapy sessions, where individuals can learn and practice DBT skills in a supportive group setting. CBT typically does not involve group therapy, although group therapy may be used in some cases, such as for social anxiety disorder.
  4. Phone coaching: DBT includes between-session phone coaching, where individuals can receive support and guidance from a therapist to help them apply DBT skills in real-time situations. CBT typically does not include phone coaching, although some therapists may offer occasional check-ins between sessions.
  5. Treatment duration: DBT is typically delivered over a longer period of time than CBT, often spanning several months to a year. This is because DBT involves multiple components, including individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, and phone coaching, which require more time and commitment than traditional CBT.

Ultimately, the choice between CBT and DBT depends on the individual’s specific mental health concerns, their personal preferences, and their therapist’s expertise. Both CBT and DBT can be effective forms of therapy for managing a range of mental health concerns, and individuals should work with a trained therapist to determine which approach is best for them.

What to expect after DBT?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is designed to help individuals develop skills to manage difficult emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and reduce problematic behaviors. The specific outcomes of DBT can vary depending on the individual’s unique needs and goals, but here are some general outcomes that individuals may expect after completing DBT:

  • Increased emotional regulation: DBT is focused on teaching individuals skills to manage difficult emotions, such as anger, sadness, and anxiety. After completing DBT, individuals may feel more confident in their ability to manage intense emotions without resorting to problematic behaviors.
  • Improved interpersonal relationships: DBT includes skills training in areas such as assertiveness, active listening, and conflict resolution, which can help individuals improve their relationships with others. After completing DBT, individuals may feel more confident in their ability to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts in a healthy way.
  • Reduction in problematic behaviors: DBT is often used to treat conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD), which can be associated with impulsive behaviors such as self-harm, substance use, and binge eating. After completing DBT, individuals may experience a reduction in these problematic behaviors.
  • Increased mindfulness: DBT includes mindfulness practices, such as meditation and breathing exercises, which can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. After completing DBT, individuals may feel more connected to their internal experiences and better able to regulate their emotions.
  • Improved quality of life: By developing skills to manage difficult emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and reduce problematic behaviors, individuals may experience an overall improvement in their quality of life. After completing DBT, individuals may feel more confident in their ability to cope with life’s challenges and pursue their goals and values.

It’s important to note that the outcomes of DBT may not be immediate or permanent, and individuals may need ongoing support and practice to maintain the skills they learned in therapy. Additionally, DBT may not be the right fit for everyone, and it’s important to work with a trained therapist to determine the best course of treatment for your specific needs and goals.

Getting support

Are you struggling with intense emotions, difficult relationships, or problematic behaviors? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) may be the solution you’ve been looking for.

DBT is a comprehensive treatment approach designed to help individuals develop skills to manage their emotions, improve their relationships with others, and reduce problematic behaviors. This evidence-based therapy has been shown to be effective in treating conditions such as borderline personality disorder, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.

At Pacific Integrative Therapy, we offer expert DBT services with a team of highly trained therapists who will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals. Our DBT services include:

  • Individual therapy: Work one-on-one with a DBT therapist to develop and practice skills to manage difficult emotions, improve relationships, and reduce problematic behaviors.
  • Skills groups: Join a group of peers to learn and practice DBT skills in a supportive environment.
  • Phone coaching: Receive support and guidance from your therapist outside of therapy sessions to help you apply DBT skills in real-life situations.
  • Consultation teams: Our therapists participate in regular consultation teams to ensure the highest quality of care and treatment for our clients.

Whether you are struggling with intense emotions, difficult relationships, or problematic behaviors, DBT can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our DBT services.