DBT is a leading psychological treatment that is used not just in addiction treatment but helps treat a variety of other mental health disorders. DBT focuses on balancing the reality of who the person is at the present moment and who they want to be by making positive changes in their life. DBT is especially helpful for people who experience more extreme emotions and may have trouble regulating their emotions. In this article, you’ll learn more about what is DBT and how it works.
At Rise in Malibu, we are a luxury drug rehab in Malibu committed to giving comprehensive care to help patients overcome their addiction and live a lasting life of sobriety. We offer a range of treatment methods to help treat your mind, body, and spirit to radically transform your life for the better. Contact us to learn more about how you can overcome addiction and lead a happier, healthier life.
What is DBT?
DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) is a cognitive behavioral treatment used to treat a range of disorders like substance dependence, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and more. DBT was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, but today is a leading psychological treatment.
DBT counseling is a form of talk therapy that is based on CBT (another leading psychological treatment), but DBT is specially designed to help people who experience more intense emotions. DBT helps people accept the reality of their disorder, and works to help patients learn how they can change their lives.
How Does DBT Work?
DBT is a form of talk therapy that works to balance both a sense of acceptance of who the person is and the changes they can make in their lives. Therefore, DBT counseling works to balance the opposites of who the person is and who they want to become, and the changes they need to make to become that person. Balancing both opposites helps the person not think of extremes that can deter their progress towards accepting and changing themselves for the better.
DBT can be done via group settings, one-on-one sessions, or a combination of the two types. Both types of DBT, individual and group, are both effective ways to have the patient accept themselves for where they are at in their life at the present, and then make goals and learn ways to make positive changes in their life.
What Does a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Session Entail?
Dialectical behavior therapy in rehab can be either individual therapy, group therapy, or a combination of the two. In individual DBT therapy, sessions are about one hour or less and involve addressing any negative behaviors that could deter your progress, and then setting goals for change, and subsequently making progress to make those positive changes rather than falling back into unhealthy behaviors.
Meanwhile, during group DBT therapy, this is when a therapist in a group setting teaches a session to a group of people. Therefore, group DBT therapy is different from group therapy which has patients discuss their current problems. Instead, it aims to teach a group of clients in the same room.
When teaching DBT, the therapist focuses on four skills:
- Mindfulness: Practice being aware and focused in the present rather than focusing on the past or future.
- Distress Tolerance: Understanding and managing your emotions during difficult times and not falling back into harmful behaviors.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Learning how to ask for your needs and set boundaries for yourself.
- Emotion Regulation: Understanding and being fully aware of your emotions and having control over your emotions.
Therefore, DBT sessions can be both group or individual and involve a series of skills that help a patient be in the moment, accept their situation and manage their emotions, and then act in accordance to make changes in their life for the better.
Rise in Malibu Offers DBT For Addiction and Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Now you know more about DBT and why DBT is one of the leading psychological treatments. If you are struggling with addiction or another mental health disorder, DBT can be an effective form of therapy to help in your recovery journey.
At Rise in Malibu, we offer a range of treatment options, including DBT, that help patients receive the exact care and support necessary to overcome their addiction. Our team looks to treat the mind, body, and spirit to help clients improve who they are as a whole person, rather than just focusing on their disease. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact us to learn how we can help you on your road to recovery.
