Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) techniques are one of several types of treatment available to help with drug and alcohol addiction treatment as well as some mental health disorders. DBT allows a person to start to control more of their thoughts and the resulting actions. DBT therapy is one of the services offered at Colorado Medication Assisted Therapy and tends to be a component of the care most patients receive. Learn more about what to expect in this type of therapy and reach out for help today.
Understanding DBT
DBT therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy, an evidence-based treatment program. It is designed to provide people with healthy ways to manage stress, a better ability to manage emotions, and the ability to live in the moment. In many ways, it can help improve the quality of life.
Initially designed to help those with a borderline personality disorder, today it is commonly used for the treatment of mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. DBT is also heavily used in substance use disorder treatment.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Able to Do?
DBT therapy helps a person develop a range of new skills. They may work in an individual or group setting to achieve these goals. The ultimate goal is to help a person to navigate complex problems and stress. Some of the key benefits include:
- Learning to accept, tolerate, and manage challenges in life.
- Understanding how to analyze problems and destructive behavior patterns so they can be changed to better outcomes.
- Exploring how to change thoughts, believes, behaviors, and actions that are unhelpful.
- Improving communication skills with other people, improving their ability to achieve goals.
- Developing skills to manage the challenges a person faces with substance use disorders.
Utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy Techniques
Dialectical behavior therapy techniques are those used by therapists to encourage and manage change. Some examples of these include:
Core Mindfulness: This strategy teaches a person to focus on living in the moment instead of worrying about tomorrow. It focuses on the senses – tuning in to the senses a person feels, to control mood and thoughts.
Distress Tolerance: In this technique, a person learns how to accept the current situation and themselves. They will then learn how to handle a crisis when it occurs, such as through distraction, self-soothing, bettering the present moment, and working through a pros and cons process as needed.
Emotion Regulation
Another DBT therapy involves emotion regulation in which a person learns how to navigate through very powerful and overwhelming feelings in a meaningful way. It can help a person to reduce negative emotional outcomes, such as anger, enabling them to be less vulnerable.
Incorporating DBT Therapy Into Treatment
DBT is often a component of the evidence-based therapy we offer at Colorado Medication Assisted Therapy. Individuals will first receive comprehensive screenings and an assessment to determine if this type of therapy is best. If DBT therapy is recommended, then it becomes a part of treatment along with other therapies. Dialectical behavior therapy techniques are learned over a period of several sessions and practiced in both an individual and group session. For many, this type of therapy is encouraging and easy to embrace because of the impact it adds to their life and the control it provides.
Some of the other therapies available include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Neurofeedback therapy program
- Group therapy programs
- Individual therapy programs
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Mental health treatment
Reach Out to Colorado Medication Assisted Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy is one of the tools available at Colorado Medication Assisted Therapy. DBT therapy may be one component of care a person receives through our treatment programs. For those ready to explore dialectical behavior therapy techniques, the first step is an assessment and consultation. To get started, call 833.448.0127 or connect online to learn more about DBT.
