AT PARAMOUNT WELLNESS RETREAT IN CONNECTICUT
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that is designed to help individuals who struggle with emotionally dysregulated and self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse. Our rehabilitation center offers DBT as part of our comprehensive treatment program for individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
DBT was founded by Dr. Marsha Linehan, with the intent of providing an effective form of treatment with effective results after only a few sessions and with lasting benefit for even the most challenging circumstances.
The beauty is its simplicity.
Four Modules of DBT
Mindfulness:
the present moment is cultivated by combining the rational mind and emotional mind
Distress Tolerance:
individuals will learn how to endure and navigate discomfort with healthy coping mechanisms
Emotional Regulation:
a course on how to identify and label emotions; eventually being able to change unwanted emotions
Interpersonal Effectiveness:
strategies will be learned to optimally assert and express oneself
There are two main parts to Dialectical Behavior Therapy:
Acceptance skills & Change skills
Acceptance
Acceptance is a radical act. It takes courage to accept the things which are beyond our control.
To do so effectively, we can use a variety of different types of skills training.
This can be used in the settings of:
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Phone Coaching (in between sessions, therapists can communicate with clients regarding the perceived difficulties of their current situation)
Acceptance-focused Skills:
- Mindfulness: Being present and acting with intention
- Distress Tolerance: Crisis Survival
- Distraction
- Improving the Movement
- Self-soothing Techniques
Change
Change-based Skills:
- Emotional Regulation
- Emotion Surfing
- Defusion Techniques
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
- Opposite Action
- Prolonged Exposure Protocol
- Middle Path Skills (choosing the “middle path” between our rational minds and our emotional minds.)
What Dialectical Behavior Therapy is used for:
Alcohol Use Disorder
Substance Use Disorder
Suicidality & Self-harm
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Eating Disorders (Bulimia, Binge Eating, & Anorexia Nervosa)
Comorbities
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
How Paramount Wellness Retreat of Connecticut uses DBT to treat Drug & Alcohol Addiction
At our addiction center in Haddam, CT, our team of recovery specialists are licensed and trained to use DBT to treat drug and alcohol addiction with optimal success. Together, our team listens deeply and truly with empathy to understand what you are going through and the particulars of your individual case. We customize a treatment plan to approach Alcohol Use Disorder and Substance Use Disorder by screening for Dual-Diagnoses and any co-occurring mental health concerns.
Our doctors, nurses, therapists, and recovery coaches work together seamlessly to make sure DBT is being utilized both in Individual Therapy and Group Therapy.
During Group therapy, you will learn about several useful DBT techniques in the form of memorable acronyms, such as:
A.C.C.E.P.T.S.
(Activity, Contributing, Comparisons, Emotions, Pushing Away, Thoughts, and Sensations)
G.I.V.E. F.A.S.T.
(Gentle, Interested, Validate, Easy Manner, Fair, Apology-Free, Stick to Values, Truthfulness)
I.M.P.R.O.V.E.
(Imagery, Meaning, Prayer, Relaxation, One, Vacation, Encouragement)
D.E.A.R.M.A.N.
(Describe, Express, Assert, Reinforce, Mindfulness, Appear Confident, Negotiate)
DBT is based on the principle that individuals can change their thoughts and behaviors by learning new skills and strategies to manage their emotions, relationships, and environment. Our team of trained and experienced therapists will work with clients to identify and target specific areas of concern, such as impulse control, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
DBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for substance abuse and other self-destructive behaviors, and our clients can expect to see improvements in their ability to manage their emotions, improve their relationships, and reduce their substance use.
Our Integrated Care approach uses best practices to yield best-case outcomes for your regrowth in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction, DBT is a useful tool to overcome addiction by being mindful of the present moment, and centering your thoughts and emotions to find a “Middle Way” in “Wise Mind”.
Break the cycle of addiction by accepting what you cannot change and adjusting to what you can.
