Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a form of psychotherapy where therapists guide patients through processing troubling thoughts and feelings that are causing self-harming behavior or suicidal thoughts. Patients participate in group and private therapy, where therapists use the latest DBT techniques to create a positive self-image. Then, they help patients develop healthy coping skills for managing their symptoms. Dialectical behavior therapy is essential for men and women who need help controlling their thoughts and emotions.
At Crestview Recovery, we work with men and women 18 and over who are struggling with substance use, personality disorders, or other mental health disorders. We offer a full range of behavioral and holistic therapies through our residential and outpatient programs that can include DBT, depending on the type and severity of your symptoms. To learn more about dialectical behavior therapy and how it can benefit your health, call 866.262.0531 today to speak with our friendly team.
What Can Dialectical Behavior Therapy Treat?
DBT is an offshoot of cognitive-behavioral therapy and was originally developed for treating patients with borderline personality disorders. It soon became apparent that the skills in DBT could be used to treat multiple types of mental health disorders, especially for high-risk patients. It teaches patients who have poor self-images how to stop the endless loop of negativity and replace it with healthy and positive thinking.
Dialectical behavior therapy can treat many types of mental health disorders where patients are at risk of harming themselves. This includes:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Substance use disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Eating disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
At Crestview Recovery, our certified behavioral therapists are skilled in DBT techniques that give patients the skills they need to replace their negative thoughts and opinions and replace them with new healthy ways of thinking. Patients discover the power within them to manage their symptoms and lead happy lives.
DBT Techniques You Will Learn During Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy is an evidence-backed program that combines several techniques for helping patients change the way they see themselves. They learn healthy coping skills for regulating their emotions and gain confidence in maintaining a positive self-image.
Here are the four dialectical behavior therapy techniques that patients will learn during their treatment program:
1. Distress Tolerance
This technique teaches patients how to accept change and learn how to manage stressful situations better. They learn coping skills such as breathing techniques to calm down during tense moments that allow them to focus on the present and stop any distracting thoughts or emotions.
2. Emotional Regulation
Therapists will guide patients toward understanding and accepting their thoughts and feelings for what they are. This DBT technique helps patients fell less vulnerable and feel more confident in controlling how they feel in any situation.
3. Mindfulness
One of the beneficial skills in DBT is the art of staying in the present. Mindfulness techniques teach patients how to focus on the current situation and learn how to be better observers of their thoughts and emotions and what is around them. It can teach them how to calm down in the heat of the moment. Then, they can react rationally instead of freezing or experiencing a panic attack.
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness
This technique teaches patients how to communicate their feelings more clearly, let go of animosity toward themselves or others, and be assertive in saying no without getting upset.
Dialectical behavior therapy techniques are very effective in treating addiction and other mental health disorders. This is especially the case for patients who are having suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors.
Crestview Recovery: Uses DBT and Other Beneficial Therapies for Treating Mental Health Disorders in Portland
At Crestview Recovery, our team uses the latest DBT techniques to help men and women 18 and over change the way they see themselves and the world around them. They learn how to process their emotions in a healthy way and develop coping skills for managing their symptoms and triggers.
Reach out to our knowledgeable staff today at 866.262.0531 to learn more about our dialectical behavior therapy and beneficial programs.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
