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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy aimed to help clients understand thought processes, develop new skills, and regulate their emotions. At Peachtree Recovery Solutions, we offer dialectical behavioral therapy as part of our addiction treatment services to help individuals handle stressors that come with recovering from drug addiction, alcoholism, and dual diagnosis disorders.
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What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment approach developed by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan in the late 1980s. It was initially designed to aid those struggling with borderline personality disorder, including chronic self-harm instances. However, over time, its application has expanded, proving effective in treating a variety of mental health disorders and substance abuse issues. DBT hinges on the philosophical concept of ‘dialectic,’ which resolves the tension between opposing forces, emphasizing the balance between change and acceptance.
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How Does DBT Work?
DBT works by enhancing individuals’ abilities in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Clients are taught critical skills that allow them to navigate through emotional extremes, reduce conflicts in relationships, and handle unexpected or stressful situations. Through individual and group therapy, individuals learn to recognize and alter negative behaviors or thought patterns, contributing to their issues or suffering.
Components of DBT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses heavily on behavioral skills training. This training is essential for individuals struggling with emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal conflicts, often evident in various mental health disorders. DBT includes four main modules of behavioral skills, each addressing distinct aspects of the challenge at hand:
Mindfulness:
Mindfulness teaches individuals to live in the moment, experience one’s emotions and senses fully, yet with perspective. It’s about being aware and present in the current environment and context.
Distress Tolerance:
Often, people with severe emotional dysregulation can find it unbearable to sit with difficult emotions. Distress tolerance skills offer a way to accept and tolerate distress without reacting impulsively. These skills are aimed at helping individuals cope with crisis situations where emotions are heightened and potentially dangerous behaviors might ensue. It focuses on surviving and tolerating crisis moments without making the situation worse..
Emotional Regulation:
Emotional regulation helps individuals learn to regulate their emotions to decrease the frequency of unwanted emotions and to reduce emotional suffering.
Interpersonal Effectiveness:
This module focuses on strategies for asking for what one needs, saying no, and coping with interpersonal conflict. Interpersonal effectiveness skills teach individuals to maintain self-respect and healthy relationships with others. These skills are critical, especially for those whose symptoms include impulsivity and risky behaviors, often impacting relationships and self-image.
Benefits of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Atlanta
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) has gained widespread endorsement in the addiction treatment community due to its tangible benefits in treating a range of disorders and its overall positive impact on emotional well-being. Here are several key benefits of DBT:
Enhanced Emotional Regulation: Through skills like mindfulness and distress tolerance, individuals learn to gain control over intense emotions, reducing instances of emotional outbursts and impulsive actions. By understanding and acknowledging their emotions, individuals can make informed, rational decisions.
Improved Interpersonal Relationships: DBT helps individuals develop communication and conflict-resolution skills. Interpersonal effectiveness training provides the tools for expressing beliefs and needs, setting boundaries, and negotiating solutions to problems, all while keeping self-respect intact.
Crisis and Conflict Management: Through distress tolerance and mindfulness, individuals learn to tolerate stressful moments rather than avoiding or exacerbating them. They develop the ability to face these situations rationally, leading to a more proactive and thoughtful approach to resolving crises and conflicts.
Increased Mindfulness: Individuals undergoing DBT often experience an enhanced awareness of themselves and their environments. This heightened mindfulness allows for a fuller, more enriched experience of the present moment, free from the influence of past biases or future anxieties.
Skills for Long-term Coping: DBT isn’t just about solving immediate problems; it’s about providing long-term strategies to manage emotions and reduce psychological distress. These skills remain with individuals throughout their lives, helping them cope with future stresses or crises.
How Can DBT Help in Addiction Treatment?
For those struggling with addictive disorders, DBT’s emphasis on behavioral change, combined with its strategies for managing pain, stress, and negative emotions, contribute significantly to the recovery process. It addresses the triggers of substance abuse and teaches patients healthier coping mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of relapse.
How Can DBT Help Mental Health Disorders?
DBT has been a proven treatment for mental health conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and eating disorders. By focusing on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, individuals learn to manage their symptoms, reduce the severity of mood swings, and improve their quality of life.
Other Services We Offer in Atlanta
Our comprehensive care includes several other therapeutic and support services, such as:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Vivitrol Treatment
- Suboxone Treatment
- Naltrexone Treatment
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Holistic Rehab
- Trauma Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Red Light Therapy
Each of these services complements DBT, ensuring a holistic approach to recovery and well-being, addressing physical, emotional, and mental needs.
Begin Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Atlanta Today!
Our dedicated addiction professionals are here to navigate this path with you, providing the necessary tools and support for your unique needs. Contact us today to discover how our DBT program and other services can help you create a new chapter of wellness and resilience. Your journey to healing and empowerment starts now.
For more information or to get answers to any questions you have, visit our admissions page now or call (678) 325-7250 Help for addiction is just around the corner.
We Work With Most Major Insurance
Did you know most major health insurance plans with out-of-network benefits can help cover most of the costs associated with our program? Click below to find out your coverage and treatment options for our addiction treatment facilities in Atlanta.
