As a cognitive behavioral treatment, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is an effective way to treat mental health disorders. Dr. Marsha M. Linehan developed this therapy in the 1970s to treat individuals with chronic conditions such as borderline personality disorder. In the past 40 years or so, it has become the gold standard in psychological treatment for drug abuse and addiction.

THE MEANING OF “DIALECTICAL”

The word “dialectical” refers to the integration or synthesis of opposites. The primary opposites in DBT are acceptance and change. This therapy is an evidence-based practice that helps people build lives that are worth living. The basic standard of DBT is to develop a connection that promotes these goals.

The focus of DBT is to address abnormal patterns of behavior, emotion, social interaction and thought. The premise of DBT is based on a theory that emphasizes the trouble that some people have with controlling their feelings. Most problems stem from an inability to regulate emotion, such as destructive behavior, impulsiveness, disconnection from others and substance abuse. As a result, therapists use DBT to correct these patterns and problems.

THE COMPONENTS OF DIALECTICAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

The DBT that you experience may be different from other patients at Crestview Recovery. This is to ensure that you get the specific help that you need. However, the therapy follows a general guideline that includes three components:

• Individual Therapy – This focuses on improving your motivation and helping you apply the skills that you learn during DBT to specific situations. Therapy sessions take place at least once a week.
• Skills Training – As one of the most important aspects of DBT, skills training focuses on enhancing your potential. The group leader of the class teaches skills and gives homework so that you can practice using the skills every day. Generally, individuals go to classes at least once a week.
• Therapist Consultation – This component is therapy for the DBT providers. Its purpose is to support their work with people who have complex and serious disorders that are hard to treat. It gives them the motivation to provide the best treatment that they can. The providers meet at least once a week.

THE SKILLS THAT DIALECTICAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY TEACHES

The strategies and skills that DBT teaches are balanced in relation to acceptance and change. Distress tolerance and mindfulness relate to acceptance. Distress tolerance teaches you how to endure pain in tough situations. In turn, mindfulness teaches you how to be fully aware and in the moment.

Emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness relate to change. Emotional regulation teaches you how to change the feelings that you want to change. Interpersonal effectiveness teaches you how to say no and ask for what you want while managing relationships and maintaining self-respect.

By learning these skills, you have the tools that you need to control your behavior, emotions, and thoughts. This is beneficial for abstaining from drinking and using. Along with helping prevent relapse, the DBT skills teach you that slipping up doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve recovery. It also gives you techniques to reduce adverse consequences and the dangers of infection and overdose.

GET DIALECTICAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AT CRESTVIEW RECOVERY

If you or a loved one has an addiction and trouble with control, DBT could be the right treatment. Crestview Recovery helps men and women achieve recovery through evidence-based treatment methods. Along with DBT, our master therapists offer:

• Dual diagnosis therapy
• Individual therapy
• Trauma therapy

Regain control over all aspects of your life with the help of qualified therapists at Crestview Recovery. Call 866.262.0531 now to begin your recovery.