DBT Therapy in Colorado
DBT Therapy near Colorado Springs, CO
Mental health conditions affect people in a variety of ways, and some problems are considered more easily dealt with than others. In some cases, a person struggles with substance abuse problems in addition to their mental health issues.
More several cases of mental health disorders might not respond to classic talk therapy. The person might decide that they need to try a different technique to help make improvements in their life. If they struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, they want to take steps to live a sober lifestyle.
For some dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a way of reshaping their behavior and creates a positive effect on their mental health.
What Is DBT?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy or talk therapy. It’s similar to and in the same family as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
However, this therapy is geared toward the treatment of patients who have problems regulating their emotional responses or seem to feel emotions more intensely. It’s typically used to treat patients with personality disorders and more severe forms of mental health issues.
Some common disorders DBT is used to treat include:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideations
- Eating disorders
- Substance abuse disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- And more!
Dialectical means to combine opposite ideas. For example, the goal of DBT therapy in Colorado might be for a patient to realize that they have a substance abuse disorder that leads to negative consequences while trying to identify new ways to deal with the emotions that lead to the substance abuse.
The therapy uses a variety of techniques to focus the patient and help them better control their emotion regulation. The therapy includes a mind and spirit approach to healing the patient.
This therapy draws on the beliefs of Zen Buddhists. It strives to help the patient focus on the here and now versus reliving past traumas. The therapy also starts from the point that some people are simply geared to be more emotional and intense in their reactions to everyday stressors.
How Is DBT Used?
When a therapist decides to use DBT therapy in Colorado Springs, they’re attempting to get a patient to accept the things that they like least about themselves and react in new ways. DBT involves trying to relearn negative thought processes and finding new ways to react in certain situations.
There are several steps to use when using DBT therapy to overcome mental health issues. These steps include:
- Step One
- Step Two
- Step Three
During this step, the patient is new to therapy and is experiencing severe symptoms. The goal here is to stabilize the patient. The focus is on the patient’s destructive behaviors and gaining some control over them, so the patient isn’t a danger to themselves. If drugs are an issue, this is the stage where the patient needs to stop using them.
With the patient stable, the therapist helps them explore their emotional pain and the traumatic experiences that created it. The goal is to face the trauma head-on.
In this step, the patient strives to find new ways of viewing their own trauma and to create happiness for themselves.
Although there are only a few steps, the patient will take as long as they need to navigate each one. In the end, the patient will continue to attend therapy as support for their new patterns of dealing with emotions and anxieties.
What to Expect in Addiction Recovery
While the journey to a sober lifestyle is different for everyone, there are some things that each person struggling with drug or alcohol addiction can expect. Of course, the first and most important step is to stop using their drug of choice or drinking alcohol.
Depending on the substance abused, there can be physical symptoms of withdrawal. Some symptoms are mild and easily managed, while others can require the patient to take part in a rehab program for their overall physical health.
Once the patient is stable and no longer under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the person and their therapist work on ways of helping the person better control their emotions and the behaviors that lead to the drug abuse. In some cases, there are underlying mental health disorders.
If there is a co-occurring mental health disorder, both conditions must be worked on for the patient to be successful. There are a variety of therapies that the therapist might suggest, including DBT therapy in Colorado.
Benefits of DBT Therapy
Therapists have many tools and possible therapies they can use to help a patient overcome their mental health issues. Some have a preferred method of treatment, and patients seek them out for specific therapy.
DBT has a variety of benefits that might lead a therapist to choose to help the patient work on their issues. Here are a few of the benefits:
- As an evidence-based therapy, the goal isn’t solely to overcome mental health disorders but to help the patient live a happier and fuller life.
- Since CBT uses some of the practices of a Zen Buddhist, the therapy treats both the mind and the spirit.
- As part of CBT, the patient grows to understand the power and importance of their relationships with others. This helps the patient build a reliable support system.
Patients can improve their mental health conditions and overcome negative behaviors while better regulating emotional responses.
Find a Partner for Addiction Recovery and DBT Therapy in Colorado Springs
It’s a difficult and trying time when a person struggles with drug or alcohol addiction or has a loved one who is struggling. DBT therapy in Colorado as part of addiction recovery might be the answer they need. However, it’s essential they partner with the right DBT therapist and treatment program.
At Healing Pines Recovery, our staff provides care and compassion as a person overcomes their addiction issues. Our DBT therapy in Colorado Springs can help the patient make a successful recovery.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our program and how we can help.