When considering getting help from a mental health treatment facility, you will have to consider the approaches to therapy you’ll use during your time in treatment. Behavioral therapy is a type of therapy that identifies and addresses the behaviors that a person living with a mental health condition exhibits. And, the reasoning behind these behaviors including underlying mental health issues, emotional responses, trauma, etc. One type of behavioral therapy that has shown great success for people dealing with behavioral responses due to mental health issues is dialectical behavior therapy or DBT. But, what is dialectical behavior therapy, what can one expect from this therapy, and what are its benefits?

Identifying What DBT Is

DBT is a type of behavioral therapy that is used to address behaviors that may lead to self-destruction in patients living with mental health issues. It also is used to identify what leads to these behaviors so that patients can get a better understanding of why they behave in the way they do and to give them better impulse control. And, allow them to develop coping skills to better manage their behaviors. DBT focuses on accepting the things that drive behaviors as well as the changes necessary in order to steer clear of self-destructive behaviors.

DBT Modules

Modules used in DBT include:

Mindfulness: Mindfulness plays a big part in how DBT works. Essentially, mindfulness is the practice that one remains focused on the present moment. For people living with mental health issues, living in the past or worrying about the future is a major reason for anxiety, stress, and negative emotions that can lead to harmful, self-destructive behaviors. So, during DBT sessions, patients are encouraged to practice mindfulness both in and out of treatment.

Distress Tolerance: This module of DBT involves helping patients learn how to manage unwanted emotions that can trigger self-destructive behaviors by providing them with coping skills.

Emotion Regulation: During sessions, patients are guided through pinpointing negative emotions that can lead to negative behaviors. And, help them better understand why they may be experiencing these emotions as well as provide them with resources to manage emotions.

Interpersonal Effectiveness: This aspect of DBT includes helping patients identify and manage healthy relationships. This includes providing insight into how to communicate in healthy ways, set healthy boundaries, and more.

What are the Benefits of Using DBT?

• DBT can be used in a number of different ways to help people living with a variety of mental health issues including substance use disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and more.
• Using DBT can help to decrease the risk of self-harm and suicide
• DBT can provide individuals with methods of managing unwanted emotions and allow people to better handle stressful situations which can lead to improved self-confidence
• People who use DBT can use the coping skills and insight they’ve received through this type of therapy for the rest of their lives

DBT at Delray Beach Psychiatrist

Would you like to see how DBT can impact your life as a person who is diagnosed with a mental health condition? Delray Beach Psychiatrist offers a number of outpatient therapy approaches for people living with mental health issues including DBT. Find out more about our services including dialectical behavioral therapy from our website!