Evidence-Based Therapy
DBT is a proven therapeutic approach designed to help individuals accept their feelings while building awareness of the complex emotions and thought structures that influence their behavior and choices.
Understanding DBT
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach used to treat substance use disorder and a variety of mental health conditions. DBT can help clients learn new ways to cope with their emotions, memories, and urges.
Clients learn to accept their feelings as a valid part of their experience, and build awareness of the complex emotions and thought structures that influence their behavior and choices. This acceptance-based approach helps individuals move from feeling out of control to feeling in control in difficult situations.
Originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven highly effective for treating substance use disorder, self-harm behaviors, eating disorders, and other conditions where emotional regulation is a core challenge.
Core Skills
DBT focuses on developing four main skills that work together to help individuals establish emotional regulation, improve relationships, and enhance overall quality of life.
Learning to be present in the moment without judgment. Mindfulness helps clients observe their thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed by them, creating space between experiencing an emotion and acting on it.
Developing skills to ask for what you need, set boundaries, and navigate relationships in healthy ways. This includes learning to say no when necessary while maintaining self-respect and strengthening connections with others.
Understanding and managing intense emotions rather than being controlled by them. Clients learn to identify emotions, understand what triggers them, and reduce emotional vulnerability through self-care and positive experiences.
Building the capacity to tolerate and survive difficult situations without making them worse. This includes crisis survival strategies and acceptance techniques that help individuals get through painful moments without resorting to harmful behaviors.
For individuals struggling with substance use disorder, DBT addresses a critical challenge: emotional dysregulation. Many people turn to substances as a way to cope with intense emotions they don't know how to manage. DBT provides the tools to regulate emotions without relying on substances.
The distress tolerance skills in DBT are particularly valuable for individuals in recovery, teaching them how to survive cravings and urges without acting on them. Instead of avoiding uncomfortable feelings through substance use, clients learn to sit with discomfort and let it pass naturally.
DBT also addresses the relationship difficulties that often accompany substance use disorder. The interpersonal effectiveness skills help clients rebuild trust, communicate needs, and create healthy boundaries with others - all crucial for maintaining long-term recovery.
Treatment at Luna
Clients work one-on-one with their therapist to address specific challenges, set goals, and apply DBT skills to their unique situations. Individual sessions provide personalized support and help clients stay motivated between group sessions.
In group settings, clients learn and practice the four core DBT skills together. The group format provides opportunities to practice interpersonal effectiveness in real-time and learn from peers facing similar challenges.
At Luna, DBT is integrated with other evidence-based therapies including CBT, attachment-based therapy, and family systems therapy. This comprehensive approach ensures clients receive well-rounded treatment that addresses all aspects of their recovery.
Learning DBT skills requires practice outside of therapy sessions. Clients complete homework assignments and diary cards to track their emotions, practice new skills, and monitor progress between sessions.
"The goal of DBT is to help clients shift from feeling out of control to feeling in control in difficult situations, establish emotional regulation and engagement, and improve their overall health and quality of life."
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy has been shown to be particularly effective for individuals who experience intense emotions and have difficulty regulating their emotional responses.
Individuals struggling with addiction who use substances to cope with overwhelming emotions.
Those who experience rapid mood changes, intense anger, or difficulty managing emotional responses.
People who struggle with setting boundaries, communication, or maintaining healthy relationships.
Individuals engaging in self-destructive behaviors as a way to cope with emotional pain.
Those with dual diagnosis including borderline personality disorder, PTSD, eating disorders, or depression.
People who frequently experience crises or suicidal ideation and need better distress tolerance skills.
Learn more about our comprehensive treatment approach and how DBT integrates with other therapies.
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