What is DBT?

At Coastal DBT, we provide a client-centered and evidence based approach to mental health therapy through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT is a scientifically proven therapy that helps individuals develop skills to regulate emotions manage distress, improve interpersonal skills and increase mindfulness. We promise to work with you to understand your unique needs and tailor treatment to help you meet your goals and most important ly, live a life worth living! With Coastal DBT expect a safe, non judgmental, supportive and collaborative enviroment.

But, HOW do we do this? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan. While it was originally used to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), today it is also used for many disorders, including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. DBT combines elements of mindfulness, acceptance, and dialectics (avoiding black and white thinking) to help individuals manage emotions, improve relationships, and achieve a life worth living.

In addition to core modules of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT emphasizes the balance between acceptance and change, and on helping individuals build a life worth living. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment and helps individuals become aware of thoughts, emotions, and sensations without impulsively over reacting. Distress tolerance helps individuals cope with difficult situations without resorting to impulsive or harmful behaviors that often make the situation worse. This includes techniques such as self-soothing, distraction, and radical acceptance. Radical acceptance is in DBT involves fully accepting a situation’s reality without judgment or resistance, even if it is painful or difficult. Emotion regulation skills helps individuals understand and manage emotions in a healthy and adaptive way. These skills include identifying and labeling emotions, understanding how emotions work, increasing positive emotional experiences, and reducing vulnerability to negative emotions. This is especially helpful for intense and overwhelming emotions. . Interpersonal effectiveness improves communication and relationships with others and thus how effectively assert needs, set healthy boundaries, navigate challenging social situations and maintain self respect.

A comprehensive DBT program includes individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching, and therapist consultation. Individual therapy occurs in a supportive, highly collaborative non judgmental atmosphere that allows the client to explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Group skills training sessions are structured and educational, providing clients with opportunities to learn and practice the skills taught in DBT. Phone coaching allows clients to contact their therapist for support and guidance outside of scheduled sessions, which can be especially helpful during times of crisis or distress. Therapist consultation is an important component of DBT, where therapists receive supervision and support from other DBT-trained professionals to ensure that they are adhering to the principles and techniques of DBT.

Looking for a DBT therapist in South Carolina? Columbia, Charleston, Greenville or anywhere else? Contact us at 803-525-4085 or through our Google form .