Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a specialized type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Considered part of the “Third Wave” of CBT, the treatment was initially created in the early 1990s by Dr. Marsha Linehan. DBT is evidence-based, meaning that it has a large body of research behind it, showing that it has been effective in treatment. It was initially designed to treat symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and works by balancing principles of acceptance (e.g., of challenges, a person’s circumstances, etc.) and change (e.g., skills focused on changing how we react to emotions).
Intense Emotions Can Make You Feel Isolated
Intense emotions, thoughts, and behaviors can rule your life. Stress, medical issues, relationship strain, and other factors contribute to mental distress. As a result, some people feel plagued by hopelessness and confusion.
Many People Suffer From Intense Emotions
If you feel things more intensely than others, you are not alone. People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) or other mental health concerns struggle with an array of symptoms. Anxiety, depression, challenges in interpersonal relationships, or patterns of self-harm can make people feel alone in their suffering.
DBT Can Help You Find Emotional Freedom
Relationship issues, reduced stress tolerance, and past trauma can lead to problems in your physical and mental health. These complex concerns can numb you as you try to find a solution for healing. Working with an experienced therapist who specializes in DBT can help you process your feelings and cope with triggers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Managing the powerful emotions of mental health concerns can feel overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t have to let intense feelings rule your life. The Center For Collaborative Behavioral Health offers fully adherent and comprehensive DBT to help people manage emotions and cope with triggers.
What Mental Health Concerns Does DBT Address?
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) addresses a wide range of mental health issues. Although it’s designed for those with BPD, it has proven effective for many other concerns and disorders. DBT can help address anger, shame, interpersonal conflict, stress intolerance, and many other problems. At its core, DBT is a treatment for addressing emotion dysregulation and it can be extremely helpful and freeing for anyone who feels that they have big emotions and difficulty managing them.
Who Can Benefit From DBT?
Some symptoms of BPD are similar to other mental health concerns. Everyone will have a different mental health journey and experience unique symptoms. If you’re struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or uncontrollable emotions, DBT can help.
Does DBT Focus On Certain Components For Recovery?
Yes. Comprehensive DBT offers four primary treatment modalities: individual therapy, skills group, phone coaching, and therapist team consultations. DBT aims to strengthen awareness and equip people with the tools to manage intense emotions and build a life worth living, a life that is driven by their values and goals and not by the emotions that often interfere.