Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cutting edge, skills-based form of psychotherapy that has gained significant attention over the last several years for its remarkable effectiveness in treating a wide variety of issues ranging from anxiety disorders and anger managment to more durable characterological disturbances such as Borderline Personality Disorder. In general, DBT teaches individuals to tolerate, "sit with," and work through strong negative emotions without responding to them in ways that are harmful to the individual and those around them. Although DBT is remarkably effective for addressing a wide range of issues, it is the most effective form of treatment currently available for individuals who engage in cutting or other self-injurious behaviors.

DBT is most effective when weekly individual sessions are combined with weekly "skills groups." The skills groups are generally 90 minutes long, consist of 8-10 members and focus on transferring to the client practical techniques to manage strong feelings that can be used immediately. Because client's find some techniques more beneficial than others, skills training teaches a variety of methods to put into practice and choose from. As with other forms of psychotherapy, the terminal goal of DBT is to arm the patient with an extensive repetoire of techniques that, once learned, they can continue to use on their own once therapy has ended.

Individual DBT sessions can be used in a variety of ways. For one, they can assist the client in implementing the techniques learned in skills groups and help sharpen those skills to be of optimal benefit. Borrowing from Cogntive therapy, 1:1 DBT sessions address the client's thought patterns that may be maintaining their distress. Also, if a client's current issues are attached to a traumatic experience in their past, the individual component of DBT can serve to work through those experiences and transform them from seemingly fresh psychological injuries that continue to block them from success in life, to old memories from the clients past.

If you feel as though DBT might be the best treatment option for you, click on the "The First Session" tab above to schedule a complimentary session with Dr. Scoma, to learn more about what DBT can do for you.