Dialectical Behavior Therapy

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What is dialectical behavioral therapy?

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) helps you to understand the thoughts and feelings that motivate your behavior. This type of psychotherapy involves a process known as “dialectics,” a dialogue that promotes emotional balance through acceptance and change.

The goal of DBT is to end “all-or-nothing” ideas about yourself and the world and learn to accept the coexistence of opposites, i.e., good and bad, black and white, etc.

Can I benefit from dialectical behavioral therapy?

Some of the mental health conditions that the trained providers at Nugent Family Counseling Center can address with DBT include:

• Borderline personality disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Addiction
• Eating disorders
• Trauma
• Stress

DBT can help you learn to regulate your emotions, tolerate distress, and stay in the present moment rather than reacting based on deep-seated fear, self-doubt, and other negative feelings. It also helps you have positive interactions and better communication with other people.

How does dialectical behavioral therapy work?

DBT at Nugent Family Counseling Center usually involves both individual and group therapy. DBT focuses on four specific skills:

Distress tolerance

DBT helps you control how you respond to distressing circumstances. You learn strategies to avoid impulsive reactions, self-harming behavior, or substance use when faced with a negative experience. 

Emotional regulation

DBT helps you recognize negative emotions right when they arise. You also learn to adjust your thinking to regulate your emotions, so your feelings don’t control your behavior.

Mindfulness

As you become more aware of yourself and others, DBT helps you stay in the present moment. You learn to respond with attentiveness to any given circumstances.

Interpersonal effectiveness

By helping you understand your own feelings and those of other people, DBT teaches you to navigate conflict constructively. It also gives you skills in communication and assertiveness. 

Typically, the skilled team at Nugent Family Counseling Center recommends DBT as part of a comprehensive, integrative treatment plan. Your customized plan may also include neurofeedback, aromatherapy, and other treatment options.

To learn how DBT can help you gain control over your emotions, and improve your relationships, schedule a consultation with a mental health expert at Nugent Family Counseling Center. Call the nearest location or book an appointment online today.