Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program

If you or someone you love struggles with mental health challenges, you are not alone. Millions of individuals across the nation struggle with mental health conditions or substance use disorders. While a variety of therapies and treatments can help individuals cope with mental health issues, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a gold-standard treatment for those suffering from intense emotions resulting from these conditions.

Roaring Brook Recovery’s addiction counseling programs in Kentucky support individuals in their recovery through dialectical behavior therapy. Our team of experienced clinicians is committed to helping participants understand their emotions and build the skills they need to manage them.

Call 855.590.9944 today to learn more about our approach to treatment.

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical behavior therapy is an evidence-based treatment that has been created to assist individuals with a variety of mental health conditions, including:

• Anxiety – If you feel intense worry and fear about everyday activities or situations, DBT can help you manage these emotions.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – If you experience flashbacks or nightmares related to a past traumatic event, our counselors can provide the support and tools needed to cope with these difficult experiences.
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD) – If you feel intense emotions that can be difficult to manage, our team of trained counselors can help you cope with these feelings and create healthier strategies for managing them.
• Substance abuse – Drug or alcohol use may become a way to cope with mental health issues, and DBT can help you develop more positive strategies for managing your emotions in healthy ways.

DBT is known for its effectiveness in teaching participants new skills and techniques to manage their emotions and behaviors. This type of therapy is designed to help individuals learn to accept, recognize, and regulate their emotions while also enhancing their interpersonal skills to create stronger, more resilient relationships.

What Are the Four Tenets of DBT?

The four primary components of dialectical behavior therapy are:

• Mindfulness – Mindfulness is the act of being aware of the present moment, including one’s thoughts and feelings, without judgment. It is a way to help individuals cultivate a deep sense of awareness and stay grounded when faced with difficult emotions.
• Distress tolerance – Distress tolerance skills are a vital component of DBT that focuses on surviving distressing situations without using substances or engaging in self-destructive behaviors. It involves identifying and practicing healthy coping mechanisms to deal with distressing emotions.
• Emotional regulation – Emotional regulation skills involve learning how to identify, understand, and manage one’s emotional responses to daily life stressors, including depression, anxiety, anger, and other difficult emotions.
• Interpersonal effectiveness – Interpersonal effectiveness skills help individuals communicate effectively using assertiveness, active listening, and other healthy communication strategies. These skills also help individuals navigate interpersonal relationships, including repairing broken relationships.

While dialectical behavior therapy is often used as part of a larger treatment plan, it can also be effective as an individual approach to mental health challenges.

How Can DBT Support Addiction Recovery?

As part of a comprehensive recovery plan, dialectical behavior therapy can help individuals in recovery learn to manage and regulate their emotions without turning to substances. It is an effective way to build skills that support ongoing sobriety while also learning how to cope with stressors and triggers. Additionally, DBT helps create strong interpersonal skills that are essential for maintaining long-term relationships and recovery goals.

Especially when paired with other addiction treatment modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT can help individuals in recovery gain insight into their emotional responses and heal from the damaging effects of addiction.