What is DBT Therapy & How Does it Work?
If you’ve looked into therapy before, there’s a good chance you’ve at least heard of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). However, DBT—Dialectical Behavior Therapy—isn’t as widely known. But, for the right person, it can be one of the most effective treatment solutions.
DBT is a type of evidence-based talk therapy designed to help people who experience extremely intense emotions. It has many similarities to CBT but helps people accept the reality of their lives while also helping them learn how to change any behaviors and patterns that could be causing them harm.
Let’s take a closer look at DBT therapy, who it works best for, and how it works.
What Is DBT Used For?
One of the reasons why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is often so successful is that it helps people develop a better understanding of their emotions. It’s important to understand where your emotions are coming from—and why. DBT can still help you do that. However, Dialectical Behavior Therapy takes things one step further. It helps you accept and validate who you are and what you feel while challenging you to make positive changes in how you might react to things.
Why such a strong focus on change? People who typically benefit from DBT experience emotions intensely. It’s important to know that your emotions are valid (hence the “acceptance” aspect). However, that doesn’t always mean you’re expressing yourself in the healthiest ways. DBT is often used to improve emotional regulation. Not only will you better understand your emotions, but you’ll also develop the skills to manage them—even when they feel intense.
Who Benefits From DBT?
Anyone who has difficulty controlling their intense emotions is likely to benefit from this type of therapy. If you’re not sure whether it’s right for you, consider where it’s often used.
DBT has been proven to be effective in treating conditions like:
Borderline Personality Disorder
Substance abuse
Eating disorders
Depression and anxiety
PTSD
People handle these disorders and conditions differently. For example, not everyone with anxiety will have a difficult time managing their emotions. Others might find it nearly impossible to keep their feelings inside and might partake in harmful behaviors because of it. Those are the people who are most likely to benefit from DBT.
You’re more likely to benefit from the therapy if you’re committed to making positive changes and reducing harmful behaviors. Remember, however, that you must be ready and willing to undergo change. You also have to commit to each session and any “homework” assigned by your therapist.
How Does it Work?
So, what can you expect if you decide to utilize DBT as a treatment option? First, you’ll go through a pre-assessment with your therapist. Your sessions will all have the same underlying goals. If you’ve been considering self-harm or participating in dangerous behaviors, the first step is reducing those behaviors and working to keep yourself safe.
Then, your therapist will work with you to reduce other negative behaviors that could be hindering growth—especially therapeutic growth. Before learning how to overcome those challenges, you’ll talk about things that are blocking your goals in life and roadblocks that might be hindering your process.
Finally, you’ll learn healthy, effective skills that will help you overcome the negative behaviors and serve as “replacements.” Some therapists offer DBT skills training in groups, where you can learn things like mindfulness, emotion regulation, and other practices that can make it easier to manage your feelings on a daily basis.
If you’re interested in learning more about DBT therapy, feel free to contact me. I’m happy to provide information or help you set up an appointment soon.