DBT (DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY)

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy that was developed in the 1970s by Marsha Linehan, an American psychologist. The goal of DBT is to help people who have intense emotions and behaviors. DBT is based on the belief that our emotions follow our thoughts. So, when we have negative thoughts, we feel bad and when we have positive thoughts, we feel good. The goal of DBT is to change negative thinking patterns into positive ones. A dialectical behavior therapist will teach your child distress tolerance, emotion regulation strategies and interpersonal effectiveness to help them cope with daily stressors in a healthier way. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) uses a dialectical method of therapy to help people with disorders such as borderline personality disorder, eating disorders and depression. And like CBT, it focuses on changing negative behaviors by targeting distorted beliefs, which are based in overly simplified thinking. So when looking for the best therapeutic boarding schools for depression, finding an inpatient treatment centers for mental health that incorporate DBT is great place to start.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has been proven to be effective for treating and managing a wide range of mental health conditions, including:Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Self-harm.

Suicidal behavior.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Substance use disorder.

Eating disorders, specifically binge eating disorder and bulimia.

Depression.

Anxiety.

DBT skills training is the cornerstone of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. The goal of DBT is to teach your child new ways of responding to life challenges and learning how to tolerate distress in a healthier way. In a group format like boarding schools for troubled youth near me, skills will be taught and practiced within the group setting. Homework will be assigned for your child to practice using these skills in their everyday lives. Individual therapy is a vital part of the overall treatment plan because it allows your child to address the most pressing issues they’re facing. The sessions focus on practicing specific skills and applying them within their everyday life, as well as learning coping strategies for stress. Individual therapy may also include discussion about obstacles that may arise down the road and ways to handle them more easily.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) usually takes at least six months to a year, inpatient treatment centers for mental health can provide that structure. However, each situation is unique, and mental health conditions are complex. You should not expect to be completely free of symptoms or no longer have problematic behaviors after one year of DBT.

Resolution Ranch Academy, a therapeutic boarding school for teens, incorporates DBT into the therapeutic milieu. If you think your child can benefit from DBT in a safe nurturing residential setting, please contact us to see how we can help.