Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
What is DBT?
DBT was originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan (1993) for the treatment of Borderline Personality disorder and suicide related behavior. Through rigorous clinical research and the culmination of data showing its effectiveness in the treatment of BPD, DBT has become known as the most effective and efficacious treatment for BPD and self-injurious behavior.
Who We Treat
Further clinical research in the last two decades has shown DBT to be effective in the treatment of other mental health conditions including PTSD, Substance Use Disorders, Eating disorders, Adolescent self-injurious behavior, and treatment resistant Mood disorders.
DBT can be helpful to anyone seeking the ultimate goal of building a life worth living. Through a balance of "Acceptance" and "Change" oriented skills it seeks to help individuals change their dysfunctional behavior patterns while building new behaviors consistent with their own values and life goals.
Comprehensive DBT Treatment Components
1) Individual therapy at least once a week by a DBT trained professional
2) DBT skills training group once a week (a 6-8 month curriculum)
3) Phone coaching services for patients
4) DBT therapists actively serving on consultation teams that are meant to ensure the practitioners fidelity to the model as well as therapy to the therapist.
Skills Training Modules
- Core Mindfulness Skills
- Distress Tolerance Skills
- Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
- Emotion Regulation Skills
- Walking the Middle Path
- Behaviorism & Values Work
Stages of Treatment
In Stage 1, the patient is often miserable and their behavior is out of control: they may be trying to kill themselves, self-harming, using drugs and alcohol, and/or engaging in other types of self-destructive behaviors. The goal of Stage 1 is for the individual to move from being out-of control to achieving behavioral control.
In Stage 2, individuals may feel they are living a life of quiet desperation: their life-threatening behavior is under control, but they continue to suffer, often due to past trauma and invalidation. The goal of Stage 2 is to help the patient move from a state of quiet desperation to one of full
emotional experiencing.
In Stage 3, the challenge is to learn to live: to define life goals, build self-respect, and find peace and happiness. The goal is that the individual leads a life of ordinary happiness and unhappiness.
For some adults and teens Stage 4 is needed. In this stage individuals work to find a deeper meaning through a spiritual existence. The goal of Stage 4 is for the individual to move from a sense of incompleteness towards a life that involves an ongoing capacity for experiences of joy and freedom.
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Our DBT Practices in South Florida
