Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specialized, mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy designed to help children, adolescents, adults, and families more effectively regulate their behaviors and emotions. Although the strongest evidence exists for DBT as a treatment for people with borderline personality disorder, DBT has been found to be effective for a wide variety of mental health conditions.
Evidence based Improvement in:
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Impulsive behaviors
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Emotional ups and downs
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Anger
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Addictions
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Eating disorders
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Self-harm
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Suicidal thinking
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Relationship or family conflict
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Borderline personality features
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), in combination with high risk behaviors
DBT is a multi-component therapy, which consists of three parts:
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weekly individual therapy
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weekly skills training, either in a group, individually or with his/her family (to be determined by therapist)
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phone coaching by the individual therapist on the use of skills in everyday life situations.
In keeping with the research, our DBT Program offers the following four modes of treatment:
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Weekly individual therapy (45-50 minutes, 1-2 times per week): the patient and therapist use a Diary Card to guide sessions and track progress toward collaboratively determined goals, and to help patients bring mindfulness to thoughts, emotions, urges, and behaviors on a daily basis.
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Group Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Classes (90 minutes, once per week): known as the “backbone” of the DBT model, these skills classes are dynamic learning environments facilitated by licensed DBT therapists
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Phone coaching
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Our team participates in a weekly Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Consultation Team, ensuring the program remains adherent to the DBT model and that each of our therapists provides compassionate, model-adherent, patient-centered care.