Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of therapy that was initially designed for use by those with personality disorders. DBT therapy has been one of the most helpful therapies for those who struggle with borderline personality disorder (BPD). In more recent years, the mental health community has realized that DBT therapy techniques have a value that extends far beyond treatment for personality disorders. DBT has the potential to help everyday people better organize their lives.
If you’re interested in more information about the benefits of DBT counseling as part of an addiction treatment program, TruHealing Gaithersburg can help. Reach out to the professionals at TruHealing Gaithersburg online or at (833) 625-0398 to speak with a trained representative about dialectical behavior therapy.
How Does DBT Differ from CBT?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been practiced for decades as a form of talk therapy that involves a set number of sessions with a CBT-trained counselor. In CBT therapy, counselors work with patients to identify behaviors and thought patterns that are having a negative effect on a person’s life. Often, an individual’s perceptions are not realistic. Both cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy aim to replace negative associations with positive and healthy attitudes about how you approach situations and move through the world. These life skills can be applied to everyday life situations and provide useful tools that help those with mental health challenges feel more confident about their choices and actions.
Top 20 DBT Skills to Succeed
At TruHealing Gaithersburg, our team has found that many of our clients respond positively to dialectical behavior therapy sessions. That’s why DBT is such a commonly used therapeutic approach at our recovery center. In fact, our clients can gain many skills through extended use of DBT.
Twenty of the skills learned in DBT that help people succeed in their recovery include:
- Motivation
- Awareness, acceptance, and action skills
- Mindfulness
- Paying attention
- Tolerance to distress using ACCEPTS (activities, contributing, comparisons, emotion opposites, pushing away, thoughts, sensations)
- Breathwork
- Emotional regulation
- Goal setting
- Avoiding the negative
- Self-soothing uses senses
- Emotion regulation goals
- Distress tolerance skills
- Reality acceptance skills
- Coping strategies
- List the pros and cons of your situation
- Take time to reflect
- Be considerate when you act
- Objective effectiveness
- Interpersonal effectiveness
- Self-respect effectiveness
- Finding the right moment
The Benefits of DBT for Mental Health Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) helps clients find healthy and positive approaches to the challenges of everyday life. DBT counselors often provide homework assignments for clients to reflect on between sessions. DBT Counselors use specialized techniques that teach clients useful life skills and methods that help them accept their personal situation and promote positive thinking and healthy behaviors.
In DBT therapy, clients learn effective methods for managing problematic thoughts and behaviors, learning to control these behaviors, and learning how to make better decisions and engage in ways that are more appropriate and grounded in realistic perceptions. DBT has demonstrated success in a client’s ability to complete drug addiction treatment programs and maintain a life free from drug use.
Retrain Your Brain with DBT at TruHealing Gaithersburg
Many people find that dialectical behavior therapy is an effective therapeutic approach to help them heal from the psychological effects of mental health disorders, addiction, or both. At TruHealing Gaithersburg, our experienced team of mental health professionals has years of experience guiding people in DBT sessions.
Learn more about the benefits of DBT from our outstanding professionals at TruHealing Gaithersburg today either online or at (833) 625-0398. We look forward to helping you learn techniques to live a healthier and more positive life, so don’t wait another day to contact TruHealing Gaithersburg today.