DBT is proven effective for individuals who struggle with intense emotions, difficulties in their interpersonal relationships, or have a history of self-destructive behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is based on the concept of dialectics, which means balancing opposing ideas or perspectives. For example, accepting yourself and changing your behavior might feel contradictory. But DBT teaches that it’s possible for you to achieve both these goals together.
DBT may be utilized in both individual therapy and group therapy to address and manage a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Impulse control disorders
- Self-harm and/or suicidal ideation
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorders
- Eating disorders, such as binge eating and bulimia
What are DBT Skills?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy helps individuals live more in the moment, better manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive behavior, and improve their relationships.
From behavioraltech.org, problematic behaviors evolve as a way to cope with a situation or attempt to solve a problem. The function of DBT Skills Training is to help enhance a client’s coping skills and strategies when facing everyday challenges.
There are four modules taught in DBT:
- Mindfulness: how to be fully aware and present in the moment without judgement
- Distress Tolerance: how to tolerate negative emotions in difficult situations, rather than escape them with problem behavior
- Emotion Regulation: how to understand, manage, and change emotions that are causing distress
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: how to express needs and set boundaries with others while maintaining self-respect
Walking the Middle Path is a module specific to adolescents and their families. This module focuses on resolving conflict and problem solving by balancing acceptance and change.
Upcoming DBT Skills Groups
Sunstone offers several DBT Skills Groups to teach and practice coping skills and strategies from the modules of DBT: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Consider joining our newsletter to stay informed of these and future offerings.
