Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Advantages of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
It is a type of evidence-based psychotherapy. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was initially developed to help people deal with interpersonal conflicts and personality disorders. There is evidence that DBT helps with substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and other problems (Dimeff & Linehan, 2008). The therapist's style and approach are influenced by their understanding of Dialectical Thinking. This article describes some of the key benefits of this treatment.
Dialectical thinking
The philosophical framework of dialectics is influential in determining the approach and style of dialectic behavior therapy. Dialectical thinking emphasizes a balance between acceptance and change. The therapist uses a range of therapeutic strategies to help patients achieve balance. They may suggest solutions that balance the two philosophies. Here are some of the advantages of dialectical thinking.
Using a dialectical worldview in psychotherapy has a number of benefits. It emphasizes the importance of understanding people as processes and rejects black-and-white thinking. It also stresses the benefits of relabeling and developing multiple modes of therapeutic communication. Dialectical therapists often use cognitive-behavioral techniques such as mindfulness exercises. While this approach does not address the root cause of psychological problems, it is effective in helping people manage their emotions by improving positive thinking.
Distress tolerance skills
A core component of DBT is teaching clients to cope with distress. This includes teaching techniques such as delay gratification and self-soothing. These techniques are particularly effective for people who struggle with self-harm. They are also useful for people suffering from a wide range of other mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, work stress, and other life stressors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches patients how to manage their feelings and distress in a crisis.
In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), patients learn to cope with negative feelings using "distress tolerance" skills. These skills help patients minimize negative behavior in response to stress. These skills can include "self-soothing" exercises that engage the five senses. Distress tolerance skills (DTS) can be customized to suit each person's personal needs, and include petting a dog, having a massage, or wearing comfortable clothes. Aside from these strategies, these techniques also teach clients to recognize the pros and cons of reducing impulsive reactions.
While DTS might solve every stressful situation, it can be effective in regulating emotions. These skills are not a magic wand for all your problems, but they can help you cope. Although they do not cure every emotional condition, they can enable you to deal with life stressors more effectively. After mastering these skills, people are able to better cope with difficult situations in the future. If you are interested in seeing a DBT therapist, visit Clearview Counseling Center to see one of our DBT clinicians.
Benefits of DBT
Dialectical behavior therapy can help clients who are impacted by suicidal ideations and harmful behaviors. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a well-established treatment for individuals with multiple and severe psychosocial disorders, including those who are chronically suicidal thoughts (Dimeff & Linehan, 2008). DBT is also effective with clients diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder. The DBT protocol includes specific treatment stages and targets. The therapy includes orienting the patient to the program, reaching an agreement on the treatment targets, and gaining commitment. Dialectical strategies are key components of the therapy. The core strategies involve validation, problem-solving, and communication. Other strategies are case management, environmental intervention, and supervision. Each stage of the therapy is designed to help the client manage their symptoms and reduce suicidal behaviors.
During the first stage of DBT, patients must be able to agree that reducing suicidal behaviors is the highest priority. The agenda of the therapy is determined by the patient's explicit commitment to not committing suicide. The pre-treatment stage may be reinstated to further strengthen the patient's commitment. DBT requires that patients complete worksheets between the sessions, which are reviewed during future sessions to identify possible triggers that might have contributed to the situation. Because DBT enables patients to recognize triggers leading to self-harming behaviors, it is an effective approach to helping people who are being impacted by suicidal ideations and self-harming behaviors.
Decreases psychiatric hospitalization
Dialectical behavior therapy emphasizes acceptance of oneself and others. This means learning to tolerate painful emotions and behaviors without sacrificing the benefits currently enjoyed. Patients learn to accept themselves as they are, while simultaneously learning to accept the pain and suffering that they cause. The Middle Path, which emphasizes that things are not black and white, can help people manage extreme patterns of thought and achieve a better balance in their lives.
The American Psychiatric Association (1998) estimated that DBT reduced psychiatric hospitalization by up to 56%. Compared to outpatient care, DBT reduced the number of face-to-face emergency services contacts by 80% and the number of days spent in hospitals by 77%. A Reliable Source shows that DBT reduces the need for psychiatric hospitalization by six to seven days. Moreover, DBT decreases the number of psychiatric hospitalizations by an average of six days.
Dialectical behavioral therapy has been widely used for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. Dialectical behavioral therapy reduces suicidal behavior and ideation by about half. In 1991, a randomized controlled trial found that dialectical behavior therapy outperformed other treatments for borderline personality disorder. Dialectical behavior therapy is more effective when a person is more motivated to change and avoid distress.
Reduces emergency room visits
One study shows that dialectical behavioral therapy reduces emergency room visits and self-directed violence. It also shows that DBT may reduce emergency room visits for people with severe mental illnesses, such as borderline personality disorder. Though it is still not clear why DBT is beneficial for these patients, it is known to be effective in reducing the risk of self-harm, psychiatric crisis services, and hospitalizations.
The study included outpatients with frequent suicidal thoughts identified through a routine Patient Health Questionnaire depression screening. A total of 18 882 patients were randomly assigned to receive either a care management intervention or a skill training intervention. The care management intervention involved systematic outreach and the introduction of 4 dialectical behavior therapy skills, including mindfulness, and the usual care group received usual care. The interventions were meant to be supplemented ongoing mental health care.
How Can Clearview Couneling Center Help?
Clearview Counseling Center has several therapists trained on different modalities to assist individuals, couples, and families impacted by different challenges. Working with a therapist helps clients learn new coping skills to better manage current stressors or triggers, which enhances their quality of life. If you need help, give us a call at (915) 200-4002 or visit our website. We know that finding a trained therapist can be a time-consuming process; that is why we have simplify it. For our website, you can schedule an appointment with ease; you do not even have call us. You can schedule your appointment in 2-3 minutes by clicking on the request appointment link. You can also call us if that is more convinient for you. We look foward to empowering to live the life that you deserve!
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References
American Psychiatric Association (1998). Gold Award: Integrating dialectical behavior therapy into a community mental health program. Psychiatric Services, 49(10), 1338-1340. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.49.10.1338
Dimeff, L. A., & Linehan, M. M. (2008). Dialectical behavior therapy for substance abusers. Addiction science & clinical practice, 4(2), 39-47. https://doi.org/10.1151/ascp084239