DBT: A Therapeutic Mindfulness Treatment Experience

Psychotherapy is an effective, leading treatment option to help reduce and alleviate symptoms of mental distress. Psychotherapy focuses on helping people learn how to identify their thought and behavior patterns and is essential in mental health treatment because it increases well-being and promotes healing.

There are multiple forms of psychotherapy, with one of the most popular being cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals learn how to control destructive and intrusive thoughts, especially thoughts that tend to have a negative influence on emotions. CBT identifies, challenges, and replaces harmful thought patterns with more objective and realistic ones.

Behavioral therapy aims to address what behavioral patterns worsen mental distress or intensify problems and identify new behaviors to replace old ones.

Similarities Between DBT and CBT

Another useful form of psychotherapy, called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that enhances CBT's effectiveness by incorporating mindfulness. While CBT focuses on changing the automatic internal reactions and thoughts within a person, DBT focuses on how a person interacts with others.

Both CBT and DBT work to address unhealthy patterns of thought and address how these patterns may cause self-destructive beliefs and behaviors. A CBT or DBT session would involve working with a therapist to create more constructive ways to think, working to create more beneficial beliefs and behaviors. Although sessions are intimate and productive, most of the work happens with a client challenging their thought patterns outside of a treatment session.

These evidence-based treatments are often incorporated into comprehensive treatment programs and can be delivered through various levels of care depending on individual needs.

How DBT Differs From CBT

The largest difference between both psychotherapies is that dialectical behavioral therapy emphasizes acceptance, validation, and reassurance of distressing thoughts and behaviors instead of trying to eliminate them. These mindfulness components help a client to come to terms with the feelings that they are struggling with. Other forms of treatment work to change thoughts and behaviors instead of normalizing them, which may make it more difficult for clients to accept that change is possible.

With this acceptance in mind, DBT also actively discourages "black and white" thinking and asks clients to consider if two thoughts or opinions might both be true at the same time. Taking a mindful approach to conflicts both internal and external can give clients a sense of peace as they appreciate the nuances in life.

What Does a DBT Session Look Like?

Some therapists or treatment centers may consider evaluating you to see if DBT is the right treatment for you. Most psychotherapy appointments last about an hour. Typically, sessions take place once a week, but in a treatment setting like intensive outpatient programs or partial hospitalization programs, this could be more frequent.

In a session, you will develop unique goals for your treatment experience. Most goals involve:

• Initiating safety protocols to help reduce suicidal and self-harming behaviors

• Reducing problem behaviors that may interfere with the therapeutic process

• Addressing what thoughts, behaviors, and feelings are interfering with your quality of life

• Learning new skills to replace problem behaviors, putting you on the right path to achieve your goals

DBT can be delivered through individual therapy sessions, group therapy settings, or as part of comprehensive outpatient treatment programs.

Finding a Balance of Acceptance and Change

Mental health professionals aim to use a balance of acceptance and change techniques in DBT sessions. Acceptance techniques involve methods of reflection, self-discovery, and acknowledging self-worth. Acceptance also helps because it encourages a client to make sense of their behavior rather than just labeling it as unhealthy.

Change techniques involve challenging unhelpful thoughts and finding new, helpful ways of dealing with mental distress. Sometimes sessions may include role-playing to mimic interacting with others and practicing new skills learned in therapy. This approach is often integrated with other holistic treatment methods for comprehensive care.

What Is DBT Used to Treat?

Dialectical behavior therapy is used to treat numerous mental conditions such as borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, addiction, and many others. Because of DBT's nature of acceptance, it is a leading treatment for the distress that surfaces as self-destructive behavior and low self-esteem.

DBT is particularly effective for individuals dealing with:

• Personality disorders, especially borderline personality disorder

• Mood disorders including bipolar disorder

• Anxiety disorders

• Depression

• PTSD and trauma-related conditions

• Co-occurring disorders where mental health and substance use issues exist together

If you are someone that struggles with regulating emotions or tends to have unstable relationships or impulsive behavior, DBT may be a great treatment option for you.

An Attitude of Mindful Acceptance

DBT focuses heavily on mindfulness, especially in regards to awareness of oneself. Training an individual to gain complete awareness of their internal experience can help them to identify the root causes of problem behaviors. Awareness helps with self-discovery and increases one's sense of self-worth.

DBT teaches a person to increase tolerance to adversity. In life, we are inevitably going to experience challenging situations. DBT can train a person to be tolerant of others, especially learning that each person's viewpoint will be unique.

This mindfulness-based approach often complements other therapeutic modalities such as EMDR therapy for trauma processing or acceptance and commitment therapy for values-based living.

Integration with Comprehensive Treatment

DBT is often most effective when integrated into comprehensive treatment programs. For individuals with severe symptoms, residential treatment may incorporate intensive DBT programming. Others may benefit from DBT skills groups as part of intensive outpatient programs or ongoing outpatient treatment.

Many people also benefit from family therapy that incorporates DBT principles, helping family members understand and support the individual's emotional regulation skills. Virtual telehealth options are also available for those who need flexible access to DBT services.

Personalized DBT Treatment

Every DBT experience will vary from person to person. The core of the DBT treatment experience is that it explores the unique and subjective nature of a client. Every DBT treatment should be as individualized as possible, basing skills training and discussion on the subjective experiences of the client.

For those dealing with specific populations or needs, specialized approaches may be beneficial. This includes gender-specific treatment programs or approaches tailored for teens and adolescents, adults, or other specific groups.

Learn More About Treatment Methods

To explore the full range of therapeutic approaches available and understand how DBT fits into comprehensive mental health treatment, visit our treatment methods page. This resource provides detailed information about various evidence-based therapies, helping you make informed decisions about which approaches might be most beneficial for your specific mental health needs.

Dialectical behavioral therapy is an effective form of psychotherapy that combines approaches from both cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. Through dialectical behavioral therapy, a client will learn how to identify and accept challenging or intrusive thoughts and behaviors. By accepting mental distress, a client becomes empowered by their willingness and ability to change. DBT may be the right treatment for you if you struggle with emotion regulation, unstable relationships, or impulsive behavior.

Find DBT and Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment

Use our comprehensive treatment directory to find mental health providers who offer dialectical behavior therapy and other evidence-based treatments. Our directory helps you locate therapists and treatment centers that specialize in DBT for personality disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, and co-occurring disorders. Whether you need individual therapy, group therapy, or comprehensive treatment programs that integrate DBT with other therapeutic approaches, find providers who can help you develop the emotional regulation skills you need for lasting recovery.