Dialectical behavior therapy is a therapeutic approach designed to instill in patients the ability to live in the present and enjoy the current moment of their life. A dialectical behavior therapy program will also help participants develop healthy ways to manage and cope with stressful situations, find balance within their emotions, and ultimately improve their relationships with family and friends. For teens who are working to overcome co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns, this therapy can be a helpful tool.
Contact us online or call 888.291.2309 today to discuss how dialectical behavior therapy at Imagine Fort Collins may be able to help.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
DBT was pioneered in the 1980s by Dr. Marsha Linehan and was originally used to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). Today, dialectical behavior therapy for BPD can help treat those with other mental health concerns because the skills learned in DBT can help improve and regulate emotions, allowing for more tolerance of distress and negative emotion. This method of treatment can help participants be mindful and present within the moment, improve communication, and develop the ability to interact with others in a healthy way.
Dialectical behavior therapy has proven effective in assisting a variety of individuals overcome any number of issues, including:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders
- Bulimia
- Substance use disorders
What to Expect in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
With proven benefits to mental health, dialectical behavior therapy will typically involve a mix of therapies and life skill-building sessions. Patients at Imagine Fort Collins will take part in individual, one-on-one therapy with an experienced therapist who will work diligently to ensure all of their needs are met. Additionally, we can implement the principles of DBT in a group therapy environment. This setting is designed to promote collaborative learning and helpful sharing among others walking a similar path toward recovery.
Being in group therapy with others can help your teen’s mental health by keeping them motivated, holding them accountable, and helping them learn how to utilize dialectical behavior therapy skills going forward in their daily life. Additionally, dialectical behavior therapy can help to clear the obstacles they may encounter both in treatment and outside of the therapy sessions. The benefits on mental health from DBT treatment can be life-saving.
The dialectical behavior therapy for depression at Imagine Fort Collins focuses on providing patients with essential life skills in four areas, which include:
- Mindfulness – Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to being and living in the present. In becoming mindful, patients will learn to observe their own thoughts and feelings without judgment and work to be active and present in the moment. During dialectical behavior therapy, this is accomplished through a number of different exercises.
- Distress tolerance – Instead of escaping negative emotions through harmful actions like substance use, distress tolerance in dialectical behavior therapy will help to increase your teen’s tolerance of negative thoughts and feelings.
- Emotion regulation – The benefits of DBT include understanding, accepting, and regulating your most intense emotions. During dialectical behavior therapy, patients learn strategies to manage and change those emotions to live a healthier and happier life.
- Interpersonal effectiveness – Many of those in a DBT program struggle with conflict in their most important relationships. This is where interpersonal effectiveness matters most.
A dialectical behavior therapy program will help your teen’s mental health by presenting them with techniques to allow them to communicate with others in a way that maintains their self-respect while being assertive. They will see their most important relationships strengthened as a result.
Explore Dialectical Behavior Therapy at Imagine Fort Collins
If you’re ready to see your teen become their happiest and healthiest self, reach out to our team. Discover how dialectical behavior therapy at Imagine Fort Collins can make a difference. Contact us using our secure online form or call us confidentially at 888.291.2309 today.