Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an advanced cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) model. Typically, DBT focuses on developing healthier coping strategies and emotional responses for effective emotion regulation. At Spark Wellness, our Portland DBT integrates coping strategies and emotion regulation into our evidence-based treatment programs. Through our DBT clinic in Portland, you or a loved one can find comprehensive healing for sustained recovery. Additionally, as a modality, DBT also helps patients manage emotional distress and reduce conflict by emphasizing balance and acceptance. Thus, DBT has become an essential component of our approach to holistic psychotherapy.
Dialectical behavior therapy is a comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapy, traditionally used to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, DBT programs have expanded to help treat a variety of other mental health conditions.
Substance use disorder (SUD) and other mental health conditions can lead to dysregulation, poor coping strategies, and low distress tolerance. DBT emphasizes the balance between acceptance and change to help patients manage emotional distress and reduce conflicts, leading to greater well-being. DBT is effective for treating conditions like substance use, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health disorders.
The therapy techniques you learn from your DBT therapist can help foster mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation. With therapeutic features such as individual therapy and skills training, you can enhance emotional regulation and balance, leading to greater overall well-being.
DBT is an effective psychotherapy for a wide range of disorders. Challenges with substance abuse and other mental health disorders can have a profound impact on your psychological health. Substance use can impair attention and memory, and contribute to depression and anxiety. Additionally, mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and self-harm can increase emotional dysregulation, behavioral changes, and unhealthy coping strategies. Thus, core features of DBT, like mindfulness and adaptive coping strategies, are integral to addressing the emotional distress of substance abuse and other mental health conditions.
Due to its approach to adaptive coping strategies, DBT has become a well-established psychotherapy for multiple and severe psychosocial disorders. Whether you or a loved one is experiencing self-harming behavior, suicidal ideation, depression, and or substance abuse, DBT can help significantly decrease emotional distress.
Traditionally, DBT was developed from CBT to treat borderline personality disorder. With DBT, patients with BPD can navigate emotional distress, decrease relationship conflict, and reduce self-destructive and self-harming behavior. Further, DBT has expanded to be an effective treatment for several other conditions. Listed below are some of the other conditions DBT can be used to treat:
DBT was developed from CBT, so they share several similarities. Both CBT and BDT address unhealthy coping strategies and emotional well-being. Moreover, in a CBT or DBT program, patients learn how their thoughts influence their behaviors, such as substance abuse. Through greater self-awareness in CBT and DBT, patients can focus on building adaptive coping strategies to change negative thinking patterns. The primary difference between CBT and DBT lies in the focus of the treatment.
In a CBT program, you and your licensed professional counselor work together to address specific challenges and situations. For instance, you may build practical skills in skills training to redirect negative thinking and change how you behave in situations. In contrast, a DBT program focuses on multiple aspects of you and your life. With DBT, you learn to accept and cope with upsetting feelings and emotions related to yourself, others, and your environment. Moreover, CBT is a short-term treatment, while DBT is typically used in a long-term treatment program.
As its name suggests, DBT is influenced by the principle of balancing opposites. Through dialectical behavior therapy in Portland, Oregon, patients are coached on finding ways to maintain two seemingly opposite perspectives at once. With techniques like mindfulness, we promote balance while avoiding black-and-white, all-or-nothing thinking. Moreover, as a psychotherapy, DBT promotes acceptance and change by helping patients develop new skills to manage painful emotions and decrease relationship conflict. The four main techniques focused on in a DBT program are mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation to help you achieve balance and serenity.
Several modalities are effectively used in a DBT program:
Our team is dedicated to offering steadfast support throughout your DBT therapy journey. This consistent, ongoing support is vital for sustaining progress, avoiding relapse, and achieving lasting success. We ensure continuous development and healing by providing individualized guidance, frequent check-ins, and a nurturing environment.
Whether you are seeking telehealth or in-person support for yourself or a loved one, you can find support at Spark Wellness. Our licensed clinicians perform detailed assessments to tailor DBT therapy to you. With a comprehensive and holistic approach to care, we can address your specific needs to ensure personalized treatment. Our comprehensive evaluation is designed to help us assess if DBT is right for you. After reviewing a series of assessment questions and educating you on how DBT works, we will together decide whether our DBT program could be effective for you.
As providers of a DBT clinic in Portland, we are well-equipped to build a DBT program tailored to your specific experiences and needs. Thus, what a DBT session looks like for one patient may not be the same for another patient. However, understanding what you may encounter in your DBT session can provide insight into what you can expect during your sessions. A DBT program typically includes individual therapy and group therapy sessions in DBT skills groups. In these individual and group sessions, you will be taught a variety of skills to practice throughout your treatment program.
During individual therapy sessions, you work with your DBT therapist to identify and reframe negative thought patterns. Identifying and reframing negative thoughts helps you develop healthier emotional and behavioral responses. Your DBT therapist is here to help you stay motivated in your program, overcome obstacles, and integrate the skills you've learned into your daily life. In comparison, your group therapy sessions are held in a group setting with other patients by your DBT therapist. During weekly group therapy sessions, you will learn, practice, and apply DBT skills in a supportive environment.
Similar to typical psychotherapy, in group therapy, you and your peers are encouraged to share your experiences and support each other in your DBT skills groups. In addition to peer support in DBT skills groups, you may also be assigned homework to complete between group sessions.
In general, DBT sessions can be broken into four stages of treatment:
There will always be stressors in life and challenges that increase emotional distress. However, with the support of DBT, you will have a toolbox of adaptive coping strategies to manage triggers and overcome future challenges. When you face stressors, DBT will help you manage current thought patterns and prepare for future challenges, ensuring sustained recovery and support for your mental and emotional well-being. Some of the other benefits of a DBT program at Spark Wellness include:
Our team of clinicians is dedicated to offering steadfast support throughout your DBT journey. We provide consistent, ongoing support because it is vital for sustaining progress, avoiding relapse, and achieving lasting success. Together, we ensure continuous development and healing by providing individualized guidance, frequent check-ins, and a nurturing environment. Moreover, our holistic approach supports building comprehensive care plans personalized to your unique needs. Our comprehensive approach empowers you to overcome challenges and embrace a brighter future.
Treatment and recovery do not have to be a daunting process when you have access to flexible and compassionate care that meets you where you are. With support, you can start building a life worth living as healing and hope transform you and your life. Are you ready to unlock lasting change at Spark Wellness and transform your life with DBT? You can start your journey to profound healing and recovery today with our evidence-based, Portland DBT program.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be an effective psychotherapy to support a variety of mental health challenges. DBT can be a powerful tool for several challenges, including overwhelming emotional distress, self-harming behaviors, and self-destructive substance abuse. Through adaptive coping strategy techniques, such as emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, you can recognize and dismantle negative thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns. With our comprehensive Portland DBT program, Spark Wellness can support healing and long-term recovery for a life worth living. Call us at (971) 359-4753 to learn how DBT in a holistic, patient-centered treatment program can help transform your life.
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