Psychotherapy is crucial for helping individuals with mental health disorders. Since there is no effective one-size-fits-all approach for mental health treatment, different therapeutic modalities are necessary. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy is likely the most widely known method for working with individuals who seek therapy.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is another popular form of psychotherapy. It started as an alternative to CBT with an emphasis on mindfulness and emotion regulation for patients with borderline personality disorder. Since its introduction, DBT has been a staple treatment approach for mental health disorders of all kinds. What are the six main points of DBT?
What Are the 4 Modules of DBT?
Treatment in dialectical behavior therapy centers around four main skills: core mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation. Developing these skills is essential for anyone seeking to manage their mental health and build a fulfilling life.
- Core mindfulness: Mindfulness is the basis of all DBT approaches. Learning to “live in the moment” makes for a more valuable and fulfilling life.
- Distress tolerance: Developing the skills necessary to tolerate distressing situations without acting out is a crucial part of the DBT process.
- Interpersonal effectiveness: Interpersonal skills can be challenging for people battling mental health disorders, so DBT seeks to bolster interpersonal effectiveness.
- Emotion regulation: Effective emotion regulation enables individuals to manage situations as they arise, rather than lashing out during heightened emotional states.
What Are the 6 Main Points of DBT?
The structured approach to dialectical behavior therapy also includes a six-point set of focuses for effective treatment. What are the six main points of DBT?
- Acceptance and change: Resistance to change is the leading cause of stress and turmoil for people who struggle with mental health disorders. Accepting circumstances as they are and making positive changes leads to more effective regulation and lasting relief.
- Behavioral: Problematic behaviors are another source of distress. Learning to replace risky or harmful behaviors with healthy, constructive ones helps bring about recovery.
- Cognitive: Cognitions (or thoughts) are challenging to control when you live with a mental health disorder. DBT helps individuals catch, check, and change their thoughts, so they aren’t in a constant fight with their minds.
- Skill sets: Developing new skills makes the recovery process easier and more effective. DBT equips people with the skills they need to manage their mental health and lead a productive, fulfilling life.
- Collaboration: Interpersonal skills are a necessary part of life, but can be a struggle when living with a mental health disorder. Building collaboration skills and fostering an environment that supports growth are valuable aspects of DBT.
- Support: Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, nor does it happen in a vacuum. An active, engaged support system is vital for anyone trying to overcome a mental health disorder, and DBT ensures every person has a support system in place.
DBT for Mental Health Treatment
If you’re struggling with your mental health and want to find a program that offers dialectical behavior therapy, Lifeskills South Florida can help. We specialize in working with individuals with mental health disorders and providing them with the clinical excellence needed to achieve sustained recovery. To learn more about our programs, please contact us to speak with an admissions specialist or complete our online contact form today.
