If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or mental health issues, perhaps you have heard of dialectical behavior therapy. Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is commonly used for individuals struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders, such as borderline personality disorder. This type of therapy focuses on helping individuals regulate their emotions, increase mindfulness, and improve interpersonal relationships. DBT also encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and make positive changes in their lives.
Skywood Outpatient offers a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program in Royal Oak, MI, to help individuals struggling with addiction and any co-occurring mental health issues. The staff at Skywood Outpatient understands that addiction often stems from underlying issues. We seek to address these deeper issues through DBT, as well as through other addiction therapy programs available.
Contact Skywood Outpatient today at 248.617.6237 if you or a loved one is interested in learning more about dialectical behavior therapy for addiction. Take the first step towards recovery now.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan. DBT focuses on helping individuals regulate their emotions, increase mindfulness, and improve interpersonal relationships. It also emphasizes taking responsibility for one’s actions and making positive changes in one’s life.
DBT is commonly used to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder, but it can also be effective for those struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In DBT therapy, the therapist works with the individual to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. The individual also learns skills to cope with intense emotions and improve relationships with others.
Counseling for DBT is called behavioral counseling because it focuses on changing non-productive behaviors. A therapist may also use individual and group therapy sessions, as well as phone coaching, to help the individual apply their learned skills in real-life situations.
Why Is DBT Used for Addiction Treatment?
Many individuals struggling with addiction also struggle with co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or borderline personality disorder. These underlying disorders can contribute to the development of addiction and make it more difficult for the individual to sustain recovery.
DBT can be a useful tool in addiction treatment because it addresses not only the addictive behaviors but also the underlying mental health issues that may be contributing to the addiction. It teaches individuals coping skills and emotional regulation techniques to help them cope with triggers and prevent relapse.
What Can Be Expected in a DBT Program?
A typical DBT program includes:
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group skills training
- Phone coaching
- Therapist consultation meetings
In individual therapy sessions, the therapist works with the individual to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. The therapist also helps the individual develop a better understanding of their emotions and improve interpersonal relationships.
In group skills training, individuals learn specific DBT skills such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills can be used in daily life to cope with triggers and manage difficult emotions.
Phone coaching is available for individuals to call their therapist in between sessions for support and help using DBT skills in real-time situations.
Therapist consultation meetings allow the therapy staff to discuss progress and any challenges with implementing DBT.
What Are the Benefits of DBT?
DBT has been found to be effective in treating a variety of mental health disorders, including addiction. Some benefits of DBT include:
- Improved emotional regulation and coping skills
- Decreased suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviors
- Improved relationships with others
- Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Decreased substance use Improved overall functioning in daily life
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, DBT can be a valuable tool in promoting recovery. Contact Skywood Outpatient today at 248.617.6237 to learn more about our DBT program. Take the first step towards improving your health and well-being.
Discover DBT at Skywood Outpatient
If you or someone you know is interested in exploring dialectical behavior therapy for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, contact Skywood Outpatient today at 248.617.6237 to learn about how a DBT program can help you. Take the first step towards improved emotional regulation, coping skills, and overall functioning in daily life.