Big Emotions? Difficulty Coping? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Might Be Right For You

Nov 27

Over the past few years, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has become extremely popular among providers and patients alike–and for good reason. Keep reading to learn more about what DBT is, how it works, and who it is helpful for.

What is DBT?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or “DBT” for short, is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals to understand and cope with difficult emotions. DBT is an evidence-based practice, which means that research and scientific evidence has consistently shown that this form of therapy actually produces change; in fact, the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association consider DBT to be the gold standard of treatment for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT has been adapted from CBT for people who struggle with very intense emotions, and it aims to help individuals accept and feel their emotions rather than focusing on changing behaviors.

DBT is a very structured type of therapy, and it always consists of learnings skills in the following 4 areas:

Mindfulness
Distress Tolerance
Emotion Regulation
Interpersonal Effectiveness

Whether you decide to pursue DBT in an individual or group setting, the materials and skills learned are always the same.

What to Expect from DBT Sessions

DBT takes place most often in a group setting, but someone can also opt to work on developing DBT skills with a therapist in individual sessions.

In a group setting, DBT skills are taught in a way that is similar to attending a class. Each session is typically between 60 and 90 minutes, and homework assignments are almost always a part of the curriculum. Groups typically cover each skill (Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness) as modules and spend a few weeks on each module. The entire curriculum usually takes between 16-24 weeks to complete depending on how long the group spends on each module. It is important to note that it is recommended, and often required, to receive individual therapy sessions as well.

If you choose to do DBT individually, you can expect to have 40-60 minute sessions with your therapist once or twice a week depending on the severity of your symptoms. The goal of these sessions are to reduce harmful behaviors, identify and understand your emotions, and learn how to use the DBT skills during challenging times. Part of your treatment plan may include keeping a diary, completing worksheets and exercises between sessions, and contracting to refrain from using self-harm behaviors (if applicable).

Who is DBT For?

DBT has been shown to help individuals who are struggling with several mental health disorders, including:

Borderline Personality Disorder (and other personality disorders)
Suicidal Ideation/Self-Harm
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Eating Disorders
Depression
Anxiety
Substance Use Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
And more!

DBT is typically used for individuals aged 13 and up, but it has also been adapted into a program called DBT-C for children ages 6-12.

Getting Started with DBT

Does it sound like you or your child might benefit from DBT? The first step is finding a therapist or counselor who can help. At Collaborative Minds Psychotherapy, we have several therapists who specialize in DBT and have availability for individual therapy with both adolescents and adults. We also offer DBT groups for teens, young adults, and adults, so check to see if a session is currently running or ask about being added to our waitlist!

Asking for help can be scary, but we’re here to support you every step of the way! Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute call with our intake coordinator to learn more about our services and to discuss whether or not DBT might be right for you.