Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an research-based form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop healthy coping strategies. Originally developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has expanded to support individuals struggling with substance abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, and co-occurring mental health disorders. At Aliya Mental Health, DBT is integrated into comprehensive treatment plans to promote emotional regulation, mindfulness, and long-term recovery.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
DBT is a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach that combines standard behavioral therapy techniques with principles of mindfulness and acceptance. The term “dialectical” refers to the balance between acceptance and change, helping patients validate their experiences while building healthier patterns of behavior.
What Skills Does DBT Teach?
DBT focuses on four core skill sets to help patients manage thoughts, emotions, and relationships:
Encourages living in the present moment, observing thoughts and feelings without judgment, and developing self-awareness.
Teaches strategies to identify, understand, and manage intense emotions to prevent destructive behaviors.
Helps individuals communicate effectively, maintain relationships, and set healthy boundaries.
Provides tools to cope with crises or high-stress situations without resorting to harmful behaviors.
What Are the Goals of DBT?
The primary goals of DBT are to:
- Reduce self-harming or risky behaviors
- Improve emotional regulation and coping strategies
- Enhance interpersonal effectiveness
- Promote long-term mental health stability and resilience
How Does DBT Work?
DBT is delivered through a combination of individual therapy, group skills training, and phone coaching. Therapists provide structured guidance, homework assignments, and personalized strategies to help patients apply DBT skills in real-life situations.
DBT Techniques
DBT incorporates skills training, mindfulness exercises, behavior analysis, role-playing, and homework assignments to help patients practice healthy coping mechanisms and develop lasting behavioral changes
What Does DBT Treat?
DBT is effective for both substance abuse and mental health disorders and is often used in co-occurring treatment programs.
DBT helps individuals manage triggers, cravings, and emotional dysregulation that contribute to substance use, supporting relapse prevention and sustained recovery.
DBT is effective for anxiety, depression, trauma, and borderline personality disorder, helping patients build coping skills and emotional resilience.
For individuals with both mental health disorders and substance use challenges, DBT provides a structured, research-based approach to address complex needs simultaneously.
What Are the Benefits of DBT
Engaging in DBT offers a range of benefits:
- Improved emotional regulation and stress management
- Enhanced interpersonal relationships and communication skills
- Reduced self-harming or impulsive behaviors
- Increased mindfulness and self-awareness
- Better coping strategies for trauma and anxiety
- Long-term mental health stability and resilience
How Effective Is DBT?
Research demonstrates that DBT is highly effective for reducing self-harm, managing mood disorders, and supporting substance use recovery, making it a reliable component of comprehensive treatment plans.
Can DBT Help Me?
Yes. DBT can help anyone struggling with emotional instability, unhealthy coping behaviors, or relationship challenges, particularly those seeking structured, skills-based therapy for long-term growth and recovery.
Tips for Successful Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Commit to attending individual and group sessions regularly
- Practice homework assignments and skills exercises consistently
- Apply mindfulness and distress tolerance strategies daily
- Communicate openly with your therapist about progress and challenges
- Be patient with the process; behavioral change takes time and effort
Is DBT Covered by Insurance?
Many insurance plans cover DBT therapy as part of behavioral health or mental health treatment. Aliya Mental Health works with patients to verify coverage and maximize benefits for DBT within individualized care programs.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) at Aliya Mental Health provides patients with the tools, skills, and support to regulate emotions, improve relationships, and achieve long-term recovery. Call us today or fill out our secure contact form to learn more about DBT programs near you and start your journey toward emotional wellness.