Individual Counseling - Dialectical Behavior Therapy Explained

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Explained

January 2, 2020

Those who have sought individual counseling in the past may have quickly realized that there are a variety of different therapy treatments, and it’s important to find the type that works best for you. For example, one of the most common types of therapy is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but some of the other most popular types include Psychoanalytic Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy, and more. In today’s post, we will provide you with more information about Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which is the method used at Innerspace Counseling in Old Bridge.

At Innerspace Counseling, we understand that every person is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Our program is designed to help those who tried individual counseling with a therapists and psychiatrists and need a more intense program. This is also a great option for those who may be transitioning out of a hospital setting. With help from trained experts with years of experience, our goal is to help you live the more fulfilling life that you deserve. Explore our website to learn more about our program, and give us a call to request a consultation.

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

DBT is a type of therapy that was originally used to treat borderline personality disorder. However, recently it has been used quite effectively to help those who experience bipolar, PTSD, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. While some types of therapy are designed to help you talk through your problems to help find and solve the root cause, DBT is a form of therapy where professionals will provide you with therapeutic skills to help you manage your emotions and live in the present.

What You Can Expect

If you’ve attended individual counseling sessions in the past, then you most likely associate therapy with going to an office, sitting down, and talking with a therapist one-on-one. However, DBT is a little different. Some DBT programs, including the one offered at Innerspace Counseling, offer individual counseling sessions, as well as group therapy sessions. The individual counseling sessions are designed so that you and your therapist can work one-on-one to ensure that all of your therapeutic needs are addressed. During these sessions, your therapist will help provide you with motivation to keep moving forward, as well as work through any problems in your daily life and how you can apply the skills learned during your sessions.

In addition to your individual sessions, you will also attend group sessions. These sessions are taught by one trained therapist who will lead exercises and moderate discussions. Group members are encouraged to talk about their experiences, difficulties, and any problems they may be facing. Group therapy offers the individual a supportive environment to learn new skills and practice them with others. Depending on the group session, you may also receive homework that will help you practice the DBT skills outside of the therapy environment.

At Innerspace Counseling in Old Bridge, our Dialectical Behavior Therapy program includes individual counseling, group therapy, medication management, and family sessions to ensure that our patients are receiving the well-rounded support they need. We offer an intensive, five-day per week Partial Care Program for those who may be at risk of hospitalization, as well as a three-day per week Intensive Outpatient Program for those who may be stepping down from a partial care program or looking for a more intense outpatient program than traditional therapy. Give us a call to learn more about what our programs entail!

Skills Learned Through DBT

The goal of DBT is to help individuals learn to manage their negative emotions by thinking in the present moment, dealing with stress in a healthy way, utilizing proper coping methods, and so much more. This type of therapy is designed to not only offer you the support you need to tackle your problems on your own, but it will also provide you with a variety of skills that will help you do so effectively. Some of the skills you may learn through Dialectical Behavior Therapy include:

Mindfulness – Through both individual counseling and group therapy, you can learn how to live your life in the present moment. This allows you to become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions, allowing you to help control your reactions and make healthier decisions.
Acceptance and Change – Instead of getting stuck on painful experiences or fighting your current position in life, DBT will help teach you how to accept your situation and change your way of thinking. For example, if you are stuck in class or working on a boring project at work, you may start to think about everything you would rather be doing, or even blaming others for slow progress. DBT will teach you to recognize your feelings and help you come to terms with your situation so that you can deal with it in a more progressive way.
Collaboration – When your feelings are involved, it can be difficult to work with others to find a solution. DBT requires collaboration with your therapist, your family, those in your group sessions, and others to help you start feeling your very best.
A Nonjudgmental Stance – You may consider yourself a nonjudgmental person, but the fact of the matter is that you may have some judgmental tendencies without even realizing it. Learning how to take a truly nonjudgmental stance on your experiences and situations will help you come to terms with your feelings and your reactions so that you and those around you can work through the problem.
Support – In order to find the happiness you deserve, it’s important to not only accept support from others, but to also give it in return. The DBT programs offered at Innerspace Counseling will help you learn how to do both in a safe environment.

Ready to Enroll?

If you or someone you know is interested in improving their mental health and learning the skills needed to help them manage their mental health on a daily basis, then our team at Innerspace Counseling in Old Bridge is here to help. Explore our website to learn more about our two programs and what they entail. If you would like more information or to schedule a consultation, then give us a call today.

We look forward to helping you.