When faced with severe problems in life, some people may display self-destructive behavior. To avoid facing the pain caused by the dilemma, they start harming themselves physically or emotionally, ultimately worsening their condition. This is not a minor issue, as this behavior can lead to darker, more drastic decisions, such as suicide, if not helped.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is the cognitive-behavioral treatment in which the person undergoing trauma learns to control:

• his/her emotions,
• self-destructive behavior, and
• the effect of issues on her/his life.

DBT was initially developed to treat patients with borderline personality disorders, but now the therapy treats other conditions, like, eating disorders, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction. Professionals use DBT skills workbooks to help patients learn coping mechanisms.

You can get DBT training in Ontario from many institutes. Here at the Insight Clinic, we are always ready to aid you in developing acceptance of unavoidable trauma; simultaneously promoting behavioral changes that lead to recovery.

Modules of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

The treatment pattern of Dialectical Behavior Therapy involves four modules:

• Mindfulness
• Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Emotion Regulation
• Distress Tolerance

Mindfulness

Many times we hear the catchall phrases, “Live in the moment”, “the past is gone”, and “Don’t worry about the future”. Being mindful helps us to apply those concepts in our daily lives realistically. DBT skills teach you to be aware of what is happening now.

To practice core mindfulness skills, you need to observe the event closely, describe it and participate in what is happening around you. This is how you can live fully in the present. Secondly, you have to remove judgmental thoughts while practicing mindfulness.

A person judging a situation does so from either experience or knowledge. In doing so, they get distracted from the moment and indulge in emotions related to the experience or questions concerning new knowledge. Even if your mind wanders, return to “right now” and keep doing so until your total concentration is in the present.

Distress Tolerance

Mindfulness is a practical skill that helps in many conditions but is not enough for severe traumas or extremely stressful situations. Distress tolerance is another DBT skill allowing individuals to self-regulate their behavior in a crisis.

It helps individuals avoid self-destruction as a coping mechanism for problematic situations. This skill develops acceptance of anything happening around them. It also teaches the difference between accepting reality and justifying it. Not everything in life is fair, but to save ourselves from further harm, we must move on by acknowledging the pain and all that has occurred and letting it go.

To get the overall result, you learn to distract yourself from thoughts and pain until the emotions get under control. Your tolerance levels increase as you develop coping mechanisms by weighing all the advantages and disadvantages of reactions.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

It is pretty challenging for most people to present their thoughts and opinions. They struggle with speaking for themselves or defending their choices and ideas. DBT trains such individuals to become more assertive in their behavior.

They learn to convey their will or desire without hurting the feelings of others. They maintain self-respect while respecting others and become good listeners and more social daily.

Emotion Regulation

People with personality and mood disorders have difficulty managing their emotions. They are unable to navigate feelings easily. When exposed to specific situations, they may be unable to control intense reactions.

Through DBT skills, people learn emotion regulation by identifying conditions, overcoming obstacles, increasing positive thought processes, and applying logical actions to their emotional thoughts.

Conclusion

DBT skills are not very complicated. Generally, people learn these skills through life experiences, but those with specific conditions like personality disorders, trauma, depression, etc., often need professional help to live better.

At Insight Clinic, we have experienced professionals who have trained hundreds of individuals to perform outstandingly in their personal and social lives through DBT skills. If circumstances seem out of control and overwhelming, please reach out. We would love to help you empower yourself.