Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive and structured cognitive-behavioral therapy that was initially developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). 

However, it has proven to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, self-harm, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and more. 

DBT emphasizes integrating acceptance and change strategies to help you develop healthier coping mechanisms and improve your life.

Here are the key components and principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy:

1. Dialectics: “Dialectical” refers to the integration of opposites or opposing forces. In DBT, this means finding a balance between acceptance and change. It encourages you to accept yourself and your current circumstances while working toward change and improvement.
2. Four modules of DBT skills:
   • Mindfulness: Focuses on being present in the moment, increasing awareness of thoughts and feelings without judgment.
   • Distress Tolerance: Teaches skills to tolerate distressing situations without resorting to harmful behaviors.
   • Emotional regulation: Helps you identify and manage intense emotions healthily and effectively.
   • Interpersonal effectiveness: Provides strategies for assertiveness, setting boundaries, and maintaining healthy relationships.
3. Individual therapy: Meet with your therapist one-on-one weekly to work on specific issues, address obstacles, and set goals.
4. Group skills training: Participate in group sessions where you learn and practice DBT skills. The skills are taught in a structured format, and you are assigned homework to reinforce your learning.
5. Phone coaching: DBT therapists often offer phone coaching, allowing you to reach out for support and guidance between sessions, especially during crises or challenging moments.
6. Consultation team for therapists: Therapists who provide DBT consult with each other in a team setting to ensure they adhere to the principles of DBT and effectively support you.
7. Hierarchy of treatment targets:
   • Life-threatening behaviors
   • Therapy-interfering behaviors
   • Quality of life issues
   • Skills acquisition and generalization
8. Validation and support: DBT therapists provide validation and support to you, acknowledging your experiences and emotions without judgment. Validation is a crucial aspect of building trust and rapport.

DBT incorporates acceptance and mindfulness strategies alongside behavioral change techniques, making it a holistic approach to therapy. It helps you regulate your emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and develop skills to manage distressing situations more healthily.

The dialectical approach encourages finding the balance between acceptance of oneself and the need for change to lead a more fulfilling life.

As the mental health landscape evolves, our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care remains the same.

We're here to support you through your journey toward improved mental well-being. Call us at 888-903-5505 or schedule an appointment online.

At Telapsychiatry, our commitment is to offer you thorough individualized care that meets your needs.