DBT Therapy in Dallas: Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Teens
BasePoint Academy Offers Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Dallas For Teens, Youth & Adolescents Age 12-17
Youth-Focused Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) In Dallas, Texas
Overwhelming emotions. Teen Depression. Crippling Anxiety. Whether due to mental health issues or significant life transitions, these are common hallmarks of what many adolescents experience.
Through our teen therapeutic and counseling services, your teen will learn the coping skills to increase distress tolerance and self-acceptance to design a life worth living. As adolescent mental health therapists, we’re uniquely equipped to guide and treat each student effectively.
Based on the patient’s individual needs, our team of therapists will work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that will incorporate DBT specific interventions. This plan will incorporate a variety of effective behavior therapy modalities, life counseling, and coping skill development techniques.
What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?
Developed by psychologist Marsha Lineman, Dialectal Behavior Therapy is a form of talk therapy that was originally designed to treat those suffering from suicidal ideations and those with Borderline Personality Disorder. Today, DBT is used to treat a variety of mental health issues.
The foundation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy is the blending of opposite ideas in your mind at the same time. The DBT process helps patients accept life within the parameters of reality and identify associated negative behaviors and learn healthier coping skills.
DBT believes that undesirable behaviors stem from external and biological influences. Sessions focus on the patient’s inner perspective and how they view difficult situations to decrease the associated self-judgment they think or feel. Sessions concentrate on increasing mindfulness skills to appreciate present moments and more positive awareness.
Armed with new coping skills and distress tolerance skills, the patient is empowered to address their pain or emotions that cause discomfort, fear, or suffering. The goal is to cultivate new, more desirable behaviors from within and establish a baseline for resiliency.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy VS. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What’s The Difference?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) follows the path from negative thought to the resulting negative behavior. The primary goal of CBT is to identify the negative thought pattern in order to modify the automatic response and thereby modify the behavior.
Under the care of experienced mental health professionals, Dialectical behavioral therapy helps patients uncover new levels of self-acceptance. The youth therapists at our teen & adolescent treatment center want each patient to feel safe and empowered to regulate their emotions. This empowerment and skill development will enable them to better manage undesirable behaviors.
Disorders and Mental Health Conditions Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Can Treat
Eating Disorders
DBT has been an effective treatment for patients suffering from eating disorders. Patients are guided to learn mindfulness skills and raise their personal awareness of thoughts and actions and their impact on the body.
Dual Diagnosis Patients Struggling With Substance Abuse
While some Substance Use Disorders can be connected to mental health conditions, many teens turn to substances use as a means to circumvent or reduce negative experiences. The goals of DBT for dual diagnosis patients is to help them face negative circumstances and accept uncomfortable emotions or pain and to work through them safely.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is often characterized by relationships in turmoil, a lack of emotional regulation, and impulsivity.
DBT for PTSD helps patients develop skills for living in the moment rather than one from the past.
Depression and Mood Disorders
Though originally developed for BPD, DBT’s focus on emotional regulation is how therapists are able to treat depression or depressive disorders. By developing emotional management and distress tolerance skills, patients learn to regulate and tolerate their moods.
Anxiety Disorders
Similar to its effectiveness with depression and learning emotion regulation, DBT is also a helpful treatment for anxiety disorders. By living in the moment and learning practical coping skills, patients develop a stronger sense of personal peace.
What Are The Skills of Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
During individual therapy sessions for Dialectical Behavior Therapy, administered by a licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), LMSWs or LPC-As, patients will learn a myriad of new skills to aid them in changing behaviors and modifying behavior. From distress tolerance skills, emotion regulation, and mindfulness to self-acceptance and interpersonal effectiveness, the overall goal of a teen’s DBT treatment is to live a more peaceful life.
