Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Are you are struggling with negative thinking and behaviours, and life just seems a battle? Don’t despair, with the help of an expert therapist, dialectical behaviour therapy could provide you with the solution you are searching for.
What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a modified version of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Its main goals are to teach people who to live in the moment, regulate their emotions, develop healthier ways to deal with stress and improve relationships with those around them.
DBT was originally developed to treat people suffering with borderline personality disorder (BDP), however over time it has been adapted to treat a variety of other mental health conditions. DBT is ideally suited to people who have difficulty regulating their emotions, or are prone to self-destructive behaviours, for example substance abuse or eating disorders). Often this type of therapy is also used to treat people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What are the Core Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Techniques?
DBT has evolved over the years to become an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that is used to treat many mental health conditions. Settings in which DBT are often used include:
- Individual Therapy
With a trained professional where you will learn to adapt your behavioural skills to your personal life challenges
- Group Therapy
Where a group of like minded people are taught behavioural skills together
- Phone Coaching
Provides you the opportunity to call your therapist between sessions to receive guidance on coping with a specific situation which you are finding difficult to handle
Some of the techniques and strategies that are used in DBT include the following:
- Mindfulness
Provides you with skills to help you accept yourself and your current situation and to better prepare you for intense emotions empowering you to cope with them with a more positive long-term outlook
- Distress Tolerance
Helps you focus on the present or “live in the moment.” This helps you pay attention to what is happening inside you (your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and impulses) as well as using your senses to tune in to what’s happening around you (what you see, hear, smell, and touch) in nonjudgmental ways
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
Helps you to become more assertive in a relationship (for example, expressing your needs and be able to say “no”) while still keeping a relationship positive and healthy
- Emotional Regulation
Lets you navigate powerful feelings in a more effective way. The skills you learn will help you to identify, name, and change your emotions. When you are able to recognise and cope with intense negative emotions (for example, anger), it reduces your emotional vulnerability and helps you have more positive emotional experiences
Donna Marie Thomas
Hello, my name is Donna, I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and Registered Member of BACP based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
I have a passion for helping people to enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life via a person centred approach to therapy tailored to meet each individuals specific needs.
Get in touch to find out more or book an appointment with me today.
What Can Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Help With?
With its strong emphasis on emotion regulation skills, DBT is a therapeutic treatment which is used for a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa)
- Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Major depressive disorder
- Non-suicidal self-harm
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorder
- Suicidal behaviour
Benefits of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
DBT can be an effective choice of treatment if you have found it difficult to achieve results via traditional forms of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behaviour therapy is especially useful for people with borderline personality disorder, suicidal ideation or self-harm, helping sufferers develop a more mindful, resilient and adaptable outlook.
The following are some of the benefits of DBT:
- Improves your relationships by teaching you to appreciate the importance of social relationships when it comes to overcoming challenges
- Teaches you new skills and techniques which will empower you way beyond your current problems, acting as a foundation for better health and wellbeing, at home, work and play
- Improve your quality of life by gently helping you make changes to move in the right direction, whilst simultaneously letting you know that it’s perfectly okay to find things difficult
How Innerworth Counselling Can Help
With dialectical behaviour therapy you will receive a safe, soothing and confidential space where you can begin to discuss and understand the root causes of your negative thought patterns and emotions.
It is also a space where you can begin to explore both the emotional and physical aspects of your problems and learn a range of techniques which will allow you to cope better with the symptoms enabling you to take back control of your life.
Take the First Step Now
I offer private DBT therapy, and take a person-centred approach, meaning that I’m non-judgemental, see clients as equals, and collaborate on your healing journey together.
If you feel that you could benefit from DBT therapy, please book an initial consultation. You don’t have to prepare for this, just come as you are and we can look into how I might be able to help.
Additional Information
Here are some links that you may find helpful:
Mind
The team at Mind provide information on a range of mental health problems.
www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on: 116 123.
www.samaritans.org
Contact me today to book a confidential consulation
What My Clients Say
Jason Osborne
I shall be forever bewildered by the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. I had always remained sceptical until my very last session, then the “weight” that suddenly lifted was both physical and emotional and continues to benefit both myself and those around me three years on – thank you Donna.
Jason Osborne
Abigail Johnson
I’ve finally found a solution to my dependency on food. Your weight-loss therapy sessions have seriously transformed my life. Honestly, I could cry, I am so happy and feel like a totally new person, inside and out! Truly amazing Donna.
Abigail Johnson
Charlotte Dickinson
I went to see Donna because my anxiety and depression had spiralled out of control. I now have skills and techniques that I can use for the rest of my life to help me cope with any challenges. Thoroughly recommend psychotherapy from Innerworth Counselling. Donna is warm, professional and clearly passionate about what she does.