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In the realm of mental health treatment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has garnered significant attention for its effectiveness in helping individuals manage complex emotional challenges when it comes to mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Although DBT was originally designed for people struggling with symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), its principles and techniques have proven beneficial for a wide range of emotional and mental health concerns. Traditional DBT is comprised of individual therapy, group therapy, homework, etc. We do not do traditional DBT here at Of Vineyards and Canopies Therapy Services PLLC (OVAC Therapy); we do a modified version for individuals where we teach the skills one-on-one. It depends on the individual and their situation how DBT will be utilized in session. However, if you are interested in traditional DBT or it is determined that you would benefit more from it, we will try to direct you the right way.

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There are many different types of behavior therapy and that are designed to affect change in our actions and responses to stimuli. "Dialectic" in DBT refers to the integration of opposing concepts, such as acceptance and change. In having a better understanding of the dialectic concept, balance in life is a potential outcome as well as a "life worth living" (i.e. is something you may hear often in DBT). Many clients who have struggled with trauma and/or have been diagnosed with DBT have learned maladaptive behaviors based on events that they have experienced in life. Those behaviors serve a purpose and may have seemed to function for that individual for a period of time while it may not seem functional to those around them. People may notice that they struggle maintaining relationships, cannot be present or tolerate discomfort well or regulate their emotions. They may feel misunderstood, unloved, or victimized a lot. DBT skills were designed to establish adaptive behaviors that allows for clients to remove obstacles and impending doom out of the way.

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As mentioned above, DBT is structured around four key components:

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1. Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices in DBT help individuals develop awareness of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment. This practice fosters non-judgmental observation and acceptance of one's experiences.

2. Distress Tolerance: Distress tolerance skills are designed to help individuals manage and tolerate emotional distress without resorting to harmful behaviors. These skills include techniques for self-soothing, crisis survival, and acceptance.

3. Emotional Regulation: Emotional regulation skills focus on understanding and managing intense emotions. Techniques include identifying and labeling emotions, increasing positive emotional experiences, and reducing emotional vulnerability.

4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Interpersonal effectiveness skills help individuals improve their communication and relationship skills. This includes strategies for assertiveness, setting boundaries, and maintaining healthy relationships.

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Online Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

 

We have had many clients come in thinking that they have a particular diagnosis, but upon further assessment, it may be determined that BPD is a viable diagnosis. Some clients have previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder amongst others. Some clients meet the criteria for BPD, but never knew about it.

 

Some come in after doing their own research stating that they have BPD. It becomes something that we continue to explore together. Studies have shown that many people who have been diagnosed with BPD have also experienced trauma of some form. We have found in our practice that there are often other diagnoses or explanations associated with BPD presentations.

 

At OVAC Therapy, we do not make therapy all about the diagnosis. The diagnosis can guide us and give us an idea of certain things to try, but we do not want our clients to adopt the idea that they are diagnosed. We want them to stand in totality in the full version of themselves instead of a fragmented one.

 

Sometimes, it can be hard for clients to avoid identifying with the diagnosis (i.e. is making the diagnosis their identity). We believe that it is an important part of online DBT therapy for BPD

to be able to identify the "self" that may exist in conjunction with a particular diagnosis, experience, trauma, and/or situation. That is not to invalidate what our clients experience, but it is to allow the clients to feel empowered in their ability to challenge life's obstacles.

 

Online Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can represent a valuable and innovative approach to managing complex emotional challenges, providing individuals with the structured, skill-based therapy that DBT is known for, but with the added convenience of remote access.

 

DBT, traditionally, is a big commitment. It requires you to practice your skills daily. While we strongly encourage practice skills daily no matter what the treatment modality may be, OVAC Therapy does not provide the traditional form of DBT. We do a modified version for the individual. By adapting the principles and techniques of traditional DBT to a digital format, online therapy offers increased accessibility, flexibility, and engagement.