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DBT Therapy in New Jersey
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Written By: Amanda Stevens, B.S.
- Reviewed By: Dr. Po-Chang Hsu, M.D., M.S.
- Updated:
- Published:
- Reading Time: 10 minutes
Find out how DBT therapy can help you achieve self-acceptance and personal autonomy.
DBT Therapy can help you recover
Restore Balance with DBT Therapy in NJ
Today there remains a societal stigma around mental health disorders, making it difficult to seek help. Maybe you’ve known for a long time that you struggle with a mental health condition, such as substance use disorder, alchol addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or behavioral health or mood disorder.
But– maybe you’ve been reluctant to address it for one of many possible reasons. Or maybe you’ve recently been diagnosed and you’re not sure where to turn next.
Whether you struggle with borderline personality disorder, substance abuse, or other mental health conditions, dialectical behavior therapy may be an effective solution to help you regain control.
Abolute Awakenings is here to help you overcome obstacles and achieve optimal wellness.
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understanding dbt therapy in NJ
What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that aims to increase mindfulness and help people learn to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their relationships.
DBT was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), but has since been modified to address a wide range of other mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and substance abuse disorders.
It is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach that combats negative thinking to promote positive outcomes.
The core skills of dialectical behavior therapy are mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectivenesS. The concept behind DBT focuses on giving people strategies to live the best version of their lives possible, with more productivity and fulfillment.
How is DBT Different from CBT?
Although the two modalities share similarities, with DBT, clients are taught to evaluate the way they interact with the world around them, themselves, and others. In CBT, there is a focus more so on one’s thinking patterns and behaviors. CBT is largely evidence-based and widely accepted as an effective psychotherapy treatment. It is often a process of challenging one’s current thoughts and behaviors to illicit improvement in both. The primary treatment goal of CBT is to change one’s thought processes and actions. DBT, while based on CBT principles, also includes a mindfulness component. There is more of an emphasis on self-acceptance and validation, and making appropriate changes when necessary. DBT may be a more suitable treatment choice for those facing several crises simultaneously, having suicidal thoughts, or needing assistance regulating their emotions.
how DBT therapy can aide recovery
What to Expect from DBT Therapy in NJ
There are 4 components of DBT including mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Improvement in these areas helps increase coping skills and independence.
Increasing one’s mindfulness skills brings the focus to the present. This pertains to both internal things like thoughts, feelings, and impulses, in addition to external things like what you see, hear, smell, and touch. Mindfulness and meditation can help slow your thoughts through meditation, relaxation techniques, and learning to live in the present moment so that clients have an easier time coping with difficult emotions. It reduces the chance of spiraling into negative thought patterns and impulsive behavior.
Interpersonal Effectiveness enhances one’s ability to be a self-advocate while maintaining positive relationships. Improving your ability to communicate and listen carefully, manage difficult people, and maintain respect for yourself and those around you can increase your interpersonal effectiveness.
In turn, this lowers your stress and anxiety levels and makes resolving conflict with others easier, leading to more enjoyable and productive relationships.
Stressful events and situations are generally not pleasant to anyone. However, for some people, coping in these scenarios is especially difficult, especially those with panic disorder, OCD, or other behavioral health disorders. DBT teaches the distress tolerance skills necessary to deal with difficult obstacles one is bound to encounter throughout life. Facing challenges with confidence and resilience is exactly what DBT helps with. By focusing on a positive long-term outlook, you can use distress tolerance techniques to position yourself appropriately.
Through this evidence-based therapy approach, it’s possible to end your dependence on substances like drugs and alcohol.
Emotional regulation helps reduce the control that intense feelings have on one’s response to various scenarios. Learning how to effectively manage your emotions allows you to reduce your emotional vulnerability. Identifying, naming, and changing (if necessary) your emotions puts you in a position of power when faced with life’s challenges. This leads to a reduced risk of engaging in self-destructive behaviors.
It’s common for people with anxiety to catastrophize everything. Left unchecked, this thought process can cause people to self-sabotage, making life difficult for the affected people[1].
CBT is able to help provide the coping skills and stress management techniques necessary to loosen the grip of anxiety on one’s life.
We Accept With Most Major Insurance
If you or a loved one is ready to get help but finances are holding you back, give us a call. We can work with your health insurance provider.
What to expect from dbt therapy
What DBT Looks Like at Absolute Awakenings
Dialectical Behavior Therapy works by striking an appropriate balance between self-acceptance and embracing the way things are and employing useful techniques to change thoughts and behaviors when necessary. At Absolute Awakenings, we use a variety of methods aimed at identifying and emphasizing your strengths, pinpointing thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions that may be holding you back, and developing the skills necessary to collaborate with others and build positive relationships.
DBT at Absolute Awakenings may take place in either individual therapy or group therapy, or a combination of both. Through both approaches, our clinicians will help you engage with yourself and others in a positive, kind, and productive way. You will participate in exercises and learn skills to help you avoid behavior that hurts both yourself and those around you.
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Hear from Our Alumni
A jewel among many local drug and alcohol rehab treatment centers in Denville, New Jersey, the care and treatment options you’ll receive at Absolute Awakenings is second to none. From not knowing if you’ll ever feel in control again to being confident in the path you’re on, we are invested in YOU every step of the way.
Answers to Common Questions About DBT Therapy in NJ
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy FAQs
DBT is an evidence-based treatment for multiple mental health conditions, most notably BPD. In one study, at the end of the first treatment year, 77% of patients no longer met criteria for a BPD diagnosis[1].
Generally, DBT takes 6 months to a year to be effective, however each individual has unique circumstances and needs. Therefore, this will vary substantially.
The number of sessions may vary based on the individual, but typically DBT requires a minimum of 6 months of treatment, with clients spending 6 sessions on each of the 4 modules that include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
In DBT, New Jersey residents can expect to have their emotional experiences validated, identify feelings, thoughts, and beliefs that may be harming their mental health, and learn strategies to navigate all these complexities to cope better and interact with others more effectively.
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How DBT Therapy in NJ Can Help You
Dialectical Behavior Therapy can help individuals with a variety of mental health challenges heal from emotional wounds and restore balance. It was originally developed for those struggling with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, today it is used to treat conditions such as OCD, panic disorder, substance abuse disorder, alchohol addiction, PSTD, ADHD, eating disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD),
major depressive disorder that can lead to self-harming behavior and/or chronic suicidal ideation.
With DBT, it’s possible to restore balance and regain personal autonomy. If you or a loved one suffer from BPD, self-harm behaviors, or chronic suicidal ideation, don’t wait. Call today.
To address borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy is often the treatment of choice. It is heavily focused on targeting emotional dysregulation, making it an effective reducer of BPD symptoms.
DBT has been demonstrated to be a deterrent of self-harm behavior. By learning one of CBT’s core values, distress tolerance, individuals can effectively navigate acute episodes of intense stress and anxiety, thus reducing their desire to react by self-injury.
In turn, this lowers your stress and anxiety levels and makes resolving conflict with others easier, leading to more enjoyable and productive relationships.
It’s been found DBT is an effective means of reducing chronic suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and depression. With DBT, it’s possible to heal from emotional wounds and live a life of freedom.
discover a path of healing & transformation
Restore Your Personal Autonomy with DBT Therapy in NJ
Your emotions are valid, your feelings are real, and you are not alone. Let’s address the obstacles your mind has placed in your path to healing. With DBT, restoration can be yours. Our clinicans are here to help you live the life you deserve.
- Effectiveness of dialectic behavioral therapy in routine outpatient care: the Berlin Borderline Study – PMC (nih.gov)
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