Dialectical Behavior Therapy
If you have any experience in the mental health world you may have heard of a rising treatment called DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). This theory was originally created to help treat Borderline Personality Disorder but has since been known to effectively help treat a myriad of mental health issues.
What is it?
DBT is a therapy that helps a person identify emotions and reactions in the moment and trains them to learn how to react differently to their automatic response. This could mean changing thinking patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses. This in turn trains a person to have a healthy reaction to stress and can help improve their relationships.
Techniques
DBT isn’t a one-stop-shop fix, it takes work to change your thinking. Developing mindfulness skills helps you become aware of what is happening in the moment to help you avoid impulsive behavior. Distress tolerance helps you to accept the situation as it is and gives you the tools to help you calm down. Interpersonal effectiveness teaches you to navigate your relationships in a healthy way. Emotional regulation helps you cope with intense emotions.
How to start
If you think that this treatment might be right for you, talk to your therapist about referring you to someone who is trained in DBT.
Written by Sharla Ball
