Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is one of the approaches we use here at Connect Cognitive Therapy for our clients in Mississauga, Ontario. This modality is centered around empowering individuals to manage intense emotions and relationship difficulties.
Based on principles taken from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), DBT is built upon two foundational goals: acceptance and change. Acceptance encourages individuals to recognize that their emotions and subsequent behaviours are valid responses to their environment. Through this acceptance, individuals are encouraged to recognize their role as active agents in implementing change to manage their emotions and achieve their desired wellness goals.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Areas of Focus
DBT encourages individuals to understand the inherent variation of human emotions as a natural fact of life. It does this through a few key areas:
Mindfulness
A key focus of DBT is to help individuals develop a strong ability to remain keenly aware of the present moment. This entails that individuals accept and actively observe how their emotions fluctuate. Mindfulness allows individuals to gain an insight into what produces various emotional states while also understanding that these emotional states do not control an individual as a whole.
Distress Tolerance
DBT encourages individuals to develop a tolerance for negative emotions. Rather than searching for immediate and drastic solutions to stressful situations, DBT allows individuals to accept the negative occurrences in their lives and focus on healthy ways of coping with the emotions associated with them.
Emotion Regulation
DBT promotes the development of effective and highly tailored coping strategies for distressing emotions. This allows individuals to understand how their behaviours do not have to simply be a product of their current mood.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
DBT motivates individuals to practice assertiveness and a healthy self-respect in their personal relationships. This encourages individuals to be clear with others about their needs in a manner that is understandable and non-confrontational.
How DBT Can Improve Your Well-Being
DBT is an evidence-based practice with significant data suggesting its effectiveness in helping individuals accept and manage difficult emotions and relationships. DBT is used to treat conditions and challenges such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Personal Addictions
- Eating Disorders
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviours
Early sessions with a DBT therapist are heavily focused on the development of unique skills which promote mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Following skills training, DBT sessions consist of one-on-one psychotherapy in which you and your therapist will work together to apply the skills you have learned to your current life challenges. This stage of DBT treatment encourages clients and clinicians to collaboratively establish and monitor specific goals as the sessions progress.
Arm Yourself With the Tools to Support Your Mental Health
The goal of DBT therapy is to empower people to implement important coping skills in their day-to-day life. This motivates individuals to continue the development of their skills and gives them the self-efficacy and confidence required to achieve their wellness goals. If you’re ready to arm yourself with effective tools to support your mental health, Connect Cognitive Therapy is the name to know. Our office serves Mississauga residents who want to be happy and independent—people like you! Give us a call today to learn more.