Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a highly effective form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Initially developed in the late 1980s to better treat chronically suicidal individuals with borderline personality disorder, it has since been adapted to help treat numerous mental health disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapies aim to identify and change maladaptive thinking patterns and create positive behavioral changes. DBT therapy benefits those who have difficulty managing and regulating their intense emotions.
At Arkview Recovery, we rely on evidence-based therapies like dialectical behavior therapy to help clients overcome and learn to cope with mental health disorders. Our DBT program can be one component of a comprehensive, holistic approach to mental health treatment. Call us at 717.744.0756 to see how DBT can benefit you.
How Long Is DBT Therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy is an intensive approach that requires complete engagement to be effective. Because of the intensity, the first question many clients ask is how long DBT therapy takes. While therapists can adjust the length of treatment to meet a client’s unique needs and circumstances, DBT typically lasts six months to a year.
There are four main modules of DBT therapy:
- Mindfulness
- Distress tolerance
- Emotional regulation
- Interpersonal effectiveness
Clients can generally expect to spend approximately six weeks on each module. DBT therapy includes weekly sessions consisting of individual counseling, group therapy, phone coaching, and homework, where clients practice implementing the skills they are learning.
Can You Benefit from DBT Therapy?
As an evidence-based treatment, DBT has been proven effective regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other identifying factors. DBT therapy helps clients learn to tolerate negative emotions. Using DBT, clients learn new ways of thinking that help to improve interpersonal relationships and experience a better quality of life. DBT might be suitable for you if you suffer from mental health disorders, including:
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Eating disorders
- Self-harm or self-injurious behaviors
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorders (SUD)
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
As with most mental health treatment therapies, the level of success you can achieve with DBT depends significantly upon your willingness to participate in the process entirely. Part of DBT therapy includes keeping track of your emotions and behaviors to help identify behavior patterns and guide your therapist in deciding what to work on in sessions.
What Are the Benefits of DBT Therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy is problem-focused and action-oriented. A primary benefit of DBT therapy is that it can treat a wide range of mental health disorders and dual diagnoses. Other significant benefits of DBT therapy include:
- Reduced levels of self-harm and other destructive behaviors
- Decreased suicidal thought
- Increased mental flexibility and practical ability to cope under stress
- Helps regulate and amend unproductive, challenging, or maladaptive thought patterns
- Improves communication and interpersonal skills
- Development of a healthier self-image
- Increased ability to identify triggers and apply coping skills
- Overall improved functioning and better quality of life
Through DBT, clients also learn how to ask for what they want and need in healthy ways while setting boundaries to maintain respect for themselves and others. The main focus of DBT therapy is on acceptance and change.
Discover the Benefits of DBT Therapy at Arkview Recovery
The dialectical behavior therapy program at Arkview Recovery helps clients learn to regulate their emotions, develop healthy ways to manage stress, and improve interpersonal relationships. As an evidence-based therapy, DBT has proven highly effective in treating high-risk, treatment-resistant clients with mental health disorders and dual diagnoses. Clients work with a therapist to develop acceptance and promote positive behavioral changes.
In addition to DBT, we offer:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Medication-assisted therapy (MAT)
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Aftercare
The best way to determine if DBT therapy is best for you is to talk with a mental health professional. Reach out to our team at 717.744.0756 to discover the benefits of DBT.
Kyle is Lead Therapist at Arkview Recovery Center. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Temple University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He has years of experience working directly with individuals who suffer from addiction and mental health disorders. Being in long term recovery himself, Kyle is very passionate about the recovery process. He is heavily involved in the local recovery community in which he enjoys his commitments to service and giving back. His specialty is in group therapy and developing clinical staff. Kyle brings to Arkview a holistic approach to recovery, specializing in mindfulness, reality therapy, and solution-focused therapy.
