Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a specialized form of therapy first created to treat borderline personality disorder. However, over the years, it has been proven beneficial for adolescents struggling with various mental health concerns. DBT combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques to help individuals regulate their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® offers our dialectical behavior therapy program as one of our adolescent therapy programs in North Carolina. DBT can be an effective treatment option for adolescents dealing with a range of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, self-harm behaviors, and substance use. To learn more about our therapy programs, call us today at 828.519.5047, and someone from our team will gladly assist you.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
This therapeutic approach aids clients in managing distressing emotions and teaches them conflict resolution within their relationships. Developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the 1980s, this cognitive-behavioral therapy technique is highly effective.
Initially, the goal of dialectical behavior therapy was to treat borderline personality disorder. Over the years, psychologists tested the therapy on other mental health conditions. They discovered very successful results. Today, dialectical behavior therapy helps teens work through difficult emotions and rebuild relationships that may have fallen apart because of substance use.
There are generally four parts to this type of therapy. The first part involves learning mindfulness. This meditative practice helps the individual learn to be present in the moment and accept everything that happens.
The second step is to develop better stress tolerance. Instead of using substances to escape from negative emotions, the person must learn how to live with them instead. Third, they must learn how to manage, adjust, and regulate emotions that cause problems in their life.
The final step is to learn better techniques for interpersonal relationships. These relationship skills help clients learn how to communicate better. They help individuals communicate in an assertive, respectful way with others. These skills help avoid conflict and improve relationships with family members, friends, and others.
What to Expect from DBT for Teens
Dialectical behavior therapy may happen in an individual or a group setting. In an individual session, the client works with a trained therapist. This therapist helps the client learn how to overcome obstacles and enjoy a better sense of motivation.
In a group therapy setting, DBT includes time for sharing and peer support. A trained therapist leads the group, but the entire group also participates. Also, these group meetings often include homework assignments and mindfulness exercises.
With dialectical behavior therapy, teens get a chance to process some of those intense emotions that accompany mental health conditions and substance use disorders. While these emotions may feel overwhelming, it is possible to change them. Dialectical behavior therapy helps clients develop better emotional health.
Additionally, dialectical behavior therapy allows teens to learn how to healthily regulate emotions. Dialectical behavior therapy gives your teen the tools he needs to recognize his pain, anger, or other negative emotions. Then, he can process these emotions in a healthy way that doesn’t involve substance use. For individuals who began using substances due to mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, this tool can be invaluable to the recovery process.
The Impact Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents Can Have on Your Teen’s Well-Being
The impact of a dialectical behavior therapy program on your teen’s well-being can be profoundly positive and far-reaching. Engaging in DBT can help your adolescent:
- Develop emotional regulation: Learn how to understand, manage, and respond to intense emotions without resorting to self-destructive behaviors.
- Improve interpersonal skills: Gain skills to interact more effectively and assertively with peers, family members, and authority figures.
- Enhance distress tolerance: Build resilience by learning coping strategies to deal with stressful situations without turning to substance abuse or other harmful behaviors.
- Cultivate mindfulness: Practice being present and fully engaged in the current moment, which can lead to a greater appreciation of life and a reduction in impulsive actions.
A dialectical behavior therapy program can significantly bolster an adolescent’s mental health by addressing these key areas, leading to improved self-esteem, better relationships, and a healthier outlook.
Reach Out to Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® to Put Your Teen on the Path Toward Lasting Recovery
If your teen is grappling with the challenges of mental health issues or substance use, it’s time to take the next step toward healing and recovery. Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® is dedicated to providing a comprehensive dialectical behavior therapy program that offers a tailored approach to your teen’s well-being. By choosing us, you’re not just enrolling your teen in a program—you’re giving them a lifeline to a brighter future. Call us at 828.519.5047 or or our online contact form to put your teen on the path toward lasting recovery and rediscover hope together.
