Florida Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program (DBT)

A dialectical behavior therapy program (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy. This type of talk therapy was originally created in an effort to treat borderline personality disorder. In the decades since its creation, it’s been found to be an effective method of treating other types of mental health issues, including addiction.

Today, DBT is recognized as a viable option for treating substance use disorder. Therefore, our licensed therapists at Promises Five Palms provide a Florida dialectical behavior therapy program.

What Is a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program?

In a dialectical behavior therapy program, it’s recognized that some people might react in a manner that is considered by others to be more intense when it comes to certain situations. This is especially true when those relationships involve friends, family, and romantic interests. DBT focuses on the psychosocial aspects involved in treatment in regards to mood regulation.

The DBT program in Florida starts with the understanding that some people have higher arousal levels. This means they increase more quickly than the average in situations like those noted above. Once this higher level of stimulation is experienced, it can take them longer to return to their previous levels of emotional stimulation.

Elements Found in DBT

Regardless of where an individual engages in a dialectical behavior therapy program or which therapist assists them with it, this type of therapy involves three core elements. These include the following:

• Based out of cognitive-behavioral therapy so it helps identify those beliefs, assumptions, and thoughts that can make a person’s life more difficult
• Support oriented so the person can learn more about their strengths
• Collaborative efforts between the therapist and the individual allow for working on relationships

What to Expect in a DBT Program

At first, an individual might meet alone with a therapist in one-on-one sessions. This environment is supportive and non-judgmental. This is also the setting where the person works with their therapy to identify their strengths and learn how to build on them.

The therapist also helps the individual learn about those thoughts, assumptions, and beliefs that can make them feel bad about themselves. With the therapist’s help, the individual learns that there are different ways of thinking that can make their life more pleasant.

In order to maintain the progress that is experienced in each session, individual therapy typically takes place at least once each week. During that time, the therapist works with the individual to address any issues that occurred within the previous week. Problem-solving skills and role-playing are important elements that occur during these sessions.

Group therapy sessions can also be a valuable asset for those people who are undergoing a dialectical behavior therapy program. A typical session is about two hours long and is led by a therapist who has been trained in DBT. During each session, participants learn about four different methods of therapy. These include mindfulness skills, reality acceptance skills, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Using the groundwork laid in the individual sessions, these interactions with groups of people who face the same challenges that are valuable. They provide participants with the ability to practice the skills they learned in a safe and supportive environment.

The therapist is a guide during these sessions. Their role is keeping the sessions on track and to ensure that the rules of engagement are followed. They support each person as they work through the scenarios introduced.

Combining DBT with Addiction Treatment

Individuals can also expect to partake in dialectical behavior therapy sessions as part of their addiction treatment program. This offers up the same values as those who use it for mental health disorders. It is especially beneficial when dual diagnosis treatment is needed.

DBT is often combined with the following:

• Alcohol addiction treatment program
• Heroin addiction treatment program
• Opioid addiction treatment
• Men’s rehab
• Women’s rehab

Therapy at Promises Five Palms

At Promises Five Palms, we provide life-changing treatment for mental health issues. Our Florida dialectical behavior therapy program complements other services such as:

• Anger management
• Expressive therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Family therapy

Contact us today by calling 1.844.675.1022 to learn more about how we can support your recovery through our DBT program in Ormond Beach, FL.