DBT, also known as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, is an evidence-based therapy for a variety of mental health problems. It treats depression, stress, trauma, anxiety, powerful emotions, and self-harming behaviors by combining awareness with effective behavioral methods.
Certified DBT practitioners can offer acceptance and support to people in therapy. Many of the people they work with have difficult-to-treat medical issues. They devise strategies for achieving goals, fostering well-being, and effecting positive long-term change.
Contents
- 1 What Exactly is DBT?
- 2 What is the procedure for DBT?
- 3 Sessions of Individual Psychotherapy
- 4 Sessions of Group Psychotherapy
- 5 DBT has four modules:
- 6 The Advantages of DBT
- 7 DBT treatment is effective for the following disorders:
- 8 Where Can I Find DBT Therapy Near Me?
- 9 Online DBT Therapy
- 10 Can I do DBT on my own?
- 11 Conclusion
What Exactly is DBT?
Marsha M. Lineham, a psychologist, developed Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in the late 1980s. DBT was developed to assist individuals suffering from frequent suicidal thoughts, a symptom of borderline personality disorder.
DBT is currently being utilized to treat people with severe or persistent mental health disorders. DBT addresses issues such as self-harm, eating disorders, substance misuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder.
It is a type of talking therapy that is designed to help people cope with difficult emotions. This therapy tries to teach patients how to accept and manage their emotions in order to better modify possibly harmful or unhealthy behavior.
What is the procedure for DBT?
DBT includes both individual and group therapy. The number of sessions for each type is determined separately, though both types are often recommended for the best outcomes.
Sessions of Individual Psychotherapy
Individual therapy sessions are typically arranged once per week. Throughout the 1-on-1 sessions, problem-solving behavior is emphasized. Clients discuss suicidal behavior, trauma rehabilitation, and self-esteem enhancements, among other issues.
Therapists assist clients in learning and practicing adaptive behavior. Furthermore, rather than removing patients from emotionally charged situations, they help them cope with their trauma.
Sessions of Group Psychotherapy
This class lasts approximately two and a half hours and is held once a week. The sessions are led by a licensed DBT therapist. During group DBT, participants learn one of the four modules. They are able to discuss and practice the skills they learned in individual DBT sessions.
DBT has four modules:
1. Mindfulness
This module teaches you to be aware of your thoughts, to be present, and to be anchored in the present moment. Mindfulness is required for all group session skills. Patients are taught to remove the judgemental labels of “good” or “bad” from their emotions.
- Interpersonal Competence
DBT teaches people how to interact with others in social settings. It teaches how to ask for what one needs, say no, and effectively cope with interpersonal conflict.
This module teaches patients how to deal with situations in which they desire or resist change. It also increases the possibility of a person’s goal being met while preserving connections.
- Tolerance to Distress
Many approaches of mental health therapy concentrate on addressing upsetting events. DBT, for example, emphasizes the importance of learning to tolerate emotional discomfort or suffering. The goal is to learn how to successfully deal with suffering, and it builds on your mindfulness practice.
Some of the crisis survival strategies you may employ include distraction, self-soothing, evaluating the benefits and downsides, and making the situation better.
- Emotional Control
Some mental health issues make it difficult for people to control their emotions. DBT, as a cognitive-behavioral approach, focuses on ways to help people with these illnesses manage their emotions so they don’t have to deal with them all the time.
You can learn how to detect and name your feelings, improve positive emotional experiences, and take contrary action here. You will also investigate what is keeping you from changing your feelings.
The Advantages of DBT
While DBT was initially created to treat borderline personality disorder, it is currently used to treat a wide range of mental conditions. It can be altered in some circumstances, such as eating disorders, to better suit the disorder’s treatment demands.
DBT treatment is effective for the following disorders:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar Illness
- Eating Disorders
- Illness Anxiety
- Addiction to a Substance
- Depression
- Personality Disorder with Borderline Personality
According to studies published in JAMA by Linehan et al. (2006), DBT is effective in averting suicide attempts. According to this study, people who received DBT were half as likely to attempt suicide.
Furthermore, when compared to people who received psychotherapy from doctors who specialized in treating suicide and self-harm, they had fewer mental hospitalizations. They were also less likely to discontinue therapy.
Where Can I Find DBT Therapy Near Me?
DBT therapists may be tough to come by. You may always use Google and search for “dialectical behavior therapy near me” along with your location. On the other hand, there are a few websites that may be helpful in your search.
Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. founded Behavioral Tech, which manages the DBT Clinical Resource Directory, to train mental health practitioners in DBT. It is an excellent place to begin your search.
You can use this directory to find therapists and programs that have received DBT training from Behavioral Tech, LLC or the University of Washington’s Behavioral Research & Therapy Clinics (BRTC). Search for treatment programs by continent, nation, state, or province.
You can also try contacting departments of psychology or psychiatry at nearby universities, colleges, or hospitals. You could also look for a government body in your area that deals with mental health issues.
Government agencies are places like the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Social Services, and other similar places. These organizations may be aware of DBT therapists in your area and can make a referral based on your needs.
Online DBT Therapy
Online counseling is much more than a face-to-face conversation. In fact, according to a 2018 survey, an increasing number of people are seeking help through internet counseling.
The patient and therapist communicate online by text, phone, or video chat, which is convenient for both parties. It operates in the same way as traditional face-to-face therapy, but with greater flexibility.
The help you require is literally at your fingertips. Taking the first step toward treatment might be frightening for many of us. Dialectical Behavior Therapy through the internet is the ideal alternative for those who:
- They are unable to locate a therapist in their area or do not wish to travel.
- You don’t have enough time to visit the therapists.
- They wish to keep their therapy private.
- Finding it easier to open up online than in person
- Many online treatment websites provide all-inclusive pricing plans that include an unlimited number of sessions and communications. These are especially helpful for persons who are feeling emotional stress or worry and need to speak with someone quickly.
Dialectical behavior therapy online services like BetterHelp.com seek to help people learn to live in the present moment, improve coping skills, re-establish connections, and gain emotional control.
BetterHelp is one of the most frequently recommended online counseling websites. They have several highly qualified psychologists on staff that have already delivered DBT therapy.
You can contact your therapist from any location with an internet connection. You will also be able to choose the time and mode of contact for your sessions.
They can also provide this treatment in the comfort of your own home or workplace by utilizing their online platform, which was designed expressly to make psychological counseling easy and accessible.
DBT is based on the assumption that our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and how we feel in our body are all interconnected. We are all unique, which means we each have our own set of issues to deal with.
If anything does not feel right the first time, many DBT online programs allow you to switch therapists. As a result, online DBT treatment may be the most suitable solution.
You will still receive assistance from specialists. You may still work hard while also caring for your mental health from the comfort and safety of your own home.
Can I do DBT on my own?
Many DBT online courses are available for patients; however, unlike CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), learning DBT skills on your own might be difficult.
DBT can be intimidating when you first start. So, doing it on your own is rarely as helpful as going to sessions with qualified therapists in person or online.
You can start learning DBT right now by joining an online DBT group on Facebook. DBT groups are made up of people who are in various stages of recovery and are generally well-informed.
If you have any DBT-related questions, you can ask them in the online DBT group, and you will almost always get a practical, realistic, and empathetic answer.
Conclusion
DBT is becoming more popular as a treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions. It is a potent cognitive-behavioral strategy that can help a wide spectrum of people.
If you believe you could benefit from DBT, consult with a competent DBT doctor or healthcare practitioner.
Finding a therapist with experience in each of the four therapy modules is essential because this treatment technique has been proven to have a long-term benefit and lessen emotional pain when done appropriately. For many people, dialectical behavioral therapy offers a ray of hope.