Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Detox is only the first stage of most addiction therapy programs. To heal mentally, physically, and emotionally, patients must develop a deep understanding of why they came to rely on drugs or alcohol in the first place. Dialectical behavior therapy provides an evidence-based approach to mindful living, allowing patients to identify and address unmet needs.

At Midwest Center at Youngstown, we offer a dialectical behavioral therapy program as part of our holistic approach to recovery, allowing patients to feel emotionally empowered as they begin to navigate sober living. Call our team today at 844.544.0502 to learn more about our multifaceted approach to total wellness, allowing you to improve virtually every aspect of your life moving forward.

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically designed to help individuals regulate challenging emotions. In DBT, therapists validate patients’ emotional responses while assisting patients to evaluate whether their resulting decisions were effective. In this process, the “dialectic” is the tension between acceptance and change, both of which are requirements of lasting growth. In addition, DBT can assist patients in articulating life goals, as well as construct tangible plans of action for achieving them.

In solo or group DBT sessions, patients are introduced to a variety of different methods to help manage negative thoughts and feelings through four main concepts: 1) mindfulness, or the ability to feel more attuned to the moment, 2) distress tolerance, helping patients to come to terms with their current situation, 3) emotional regulation, allowing patients to process powerful emotions more effectively, and 4) interpersonal effectiveness, allowing individuals to be simultaneously more assertive and more empathetic in their interactions with loved ones.

These areas are addressed in a series of successive stages:

Stage 1: Self-destructive behaviors (particularly self-harm or suicidal behaviors)
Stage 2: Quality of life skills
Stage 3: Improved relationship skills
Stage 4: Self-actualization and the ability to engage joyfully with life

What Are the Benefits of Participating in a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program?

Much like CBT, DBT is based on affirmative feedback and designed to emphasize positive decision-making (rather than penalize negative choices). Many patients find this a more motivating approach, allowing them to direct their current actions towards larger life goals. It is also a patient-focused process and has proven to be effective across all demographics.

Over time, DBT can assist with:

Increased mindfulness and awareness of current thoughts and feelings
Providing tools to cope with stressful emotions
Decreased anxiety
Improved personal relationships
Enhanced ability to make positive decisions and control impulses
Reduction of the incidence of self-injury
Heightened self-esteem and self-image

It is also beneficial for patients who experience the following co-occurring disorders and issues:

Anger management
Bipolar disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
Disordered eating
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Impulse control problems
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Self-harming behavior
Suicidal ideation
Survival of sexual trauma or violence

DBT can also be particularly helpful for patients with multiple diagnoses or who have previously struggled with cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition, it is proven to lead to greater overall compliance with recovery protocols and an improved ability to form social connections while in treatment.