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For people who are seeking support for resolving a mental health disorder, Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an excellent option to consider.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified version of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). However, DBT incorporates principles of mindfulness. Through utilizing mindful techniques individuals can accept the circumstances of their lives while also learning to make useful changes.
The essential emphasis in DBT is on teaching clients how to both tolerate and regulate strong emotions. This goes hand-in-hand with learning effective ways of reducing stress and cultivating more healthy relationships.
DBT was designed specifically to be especially effective for people with difficult psychiatric conditions. This method of therapy has been proven to achieve results in these individuals. Today it is also used to treat a wide range of mental health disorders. These disorders may include mood disorders, impulse control disorders, and eating disorders.
DBT was developed in the 1980s by psychologist Marsha Linehan.
When professionals observed that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy wasn’t working as well as they expected with certain patients, they revised their approach. The revisions were aimed at helping those who were chronically suicidal and diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. The result of these revisions was Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
DBT is now used to treat a wide range of mental health disorders effectively.
The term “dialectical” means balancing opposites through a back-and-forth process. In the case of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, the opposites that are being brought into balance are:
In DBT, the therapist welcomes the totality of the client’s circumstances and experience. The therapist helps them to reach a similar level of acceptance. At the same time, the therapist works with the client to transform dysfunctional behavior and improve their life.
Change and acceptance would seem to be opposing ideas. However, in DBT they are brought together to achieve positive results.
In DBT, the therapist validates the client’s current experience, while also encouraging and supporting skillful transformation.
However dysfunctional certain behavior may seem, such actions “made sense” in the context of the client’s lived experience. This can be acknowledged, while also offering more skillful approaches to solving the problem. And this is what a DBT therapist does.
Because change is constant and inevitable, healing is possible. And the gateway to this healing process is acceptance through mindfulness. In this way, the tension between acceptance and change is resolved favorably.
The therapeutic process has been described by professionals as being something like a dance. The therapist seeks to balance strategies based on acceptance and change, in response to the client’s resistance or cooperation. It’s a beautifully delicate process that can initiate profound transformation.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy cultivates four essential skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and social effectiveness.
Mindfulness and distress tolerance are skills based on acceptance. Emotional regulation and social effectiveness are skills based on change.
In combination, these four skill-sets support the DBT dialectic between acceptance and change.
Mindfulness is the foundation of all DBT processes. With techniques drawn from both eastern and western meditative traditions, the DBT therapist supports the client’s capacity to:
The distress tolerance techniques in DBT help prepare the client to relate more skillfully to intense emotions and difficult situations.
The therapist offers tools for responding more effectively to stressors, and viewing difficult situations in less overwhelming ways. With these new skills, the individual can cultivate a more optimistic mindset. They will be able to cope with whatever circumstances may arise.
Empowering distress tolerance tools used in DBT include:
So, rather than avoiding distress, the DBT client increases their tolerance and acceptance of difficult feelings or situations.
The emotional regulation skill of Dialectical Behavior Therapy has to do with the nature and function of emotions. DBT patients learn how to relate skillfully to their emotions and feelings. The client learns to fully experience and accept emotions without being consumed or overwhelmed by them.
In this process, the client learns that:
With these new emotional regulation skills, the client is able to acknowledge and have greater tolerance for difficult situations. And they are able to regulate emotions that would otherwise be overwhelming.
The interpersonal effectiveness skills cultivated via Dialectical Behavior Therapy support the client in cultivating mutually satisfying relationships and healthy emotional intimacy.
In this aspect of the therapeutic process, the client learns:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy has been used to treat a wide variety of mental health disorders, including:
In DBT, the therapist validates the client’s current experience, while also encouraging and supporting skillful transformation.
However dysfunctional certain behavior may seem, such actions “made sense” in the context of the client’s lived experience. This can be acknowledged, while also offering more skillful approaches to solving the problem. And this is what a DBT therapist does.
Because change is constant and inevitable, healing is possible. And the gateway to this healing process is acceptance through mindfulness. In this way, the tension between acceptance and change is resolved favorably.
The therapeutic process has been described by professionals as being something like a dance. The therapist seeks to balance strategies based on acceptance and change, in response to the client’s resistance or cooperation. It’s a beautifully delicate process that can initiate profound transformation.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Orange County generally includes a combination of:
Group therapy sessions—where each client has the opportunity to share their experience. Individuals participate in role-playing and other group practice sessions to prepare for real-world situations; and complete homework assignments.
Individual therapy sessions—provide individualized support designed to meet the unique needs of a specific client.
Phone coaching—as support for clients who require additional support with a particularly challenging situation, between group or individual therapy sessions.
To learn more about Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or begin the healing journey, contact us today.
