Our addiction therapy services in Portland, OR include DBT among other effective options. Learn how we can help you get the treatment you deserve.
Healing Begins Here
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
DBT in Portland is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and was created to treat people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, DBT is also effective in treating various other mental health conditions, including:
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Self-harm
- Substance use disorders
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
How Does Dialectical Behavior Therapy Work?
The focus of DBT in Portland is to help individuals create a life worth living by balancing acceptance and change. It combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, teaching individuals to regulate emotions, tolerate distress without resorting to harmful behaviors, and navigate interpersonal situations more effectively.
For those in our Portland addiction treatment, DBT helps individuals recognize triggers, manage cravings, and develop healthier coping mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of relapse while promoting long-term recovery and emotional stability.
The Components of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy for addiction focuses on improving your motivation and helping you apply the skills that you learn during DBT to specific situations. Full-fidelity DBT includes structured group therapy sessions and individual therapy to help clients apply DBT skills to their personal experiences. Therapy sessions take place at least once a week.
Skills Training
As one of the most important aspects of DBT, skills training focuses on enhancing your potential. The group leader of the class teaches skills and gives homework so that you can practice using the skills every day. Generally, individuals go to classes at least once a week.
Therapist or Counselor Consultation
This component is therapy for the DBT providers. Its purpose is to support their work with people who have complex and serious disorders that are hard to treat. It gives them the motivation to provide the best treatment that they can. The providers meet at least once a week.
What Are the Four Pillars of DBT?
This foundational module teaches individuals to be present in the moment, observing their thoughts and feelings without judgment. By cultivating awareness and acceptance, mindfulness helps individuals stay grounded and focused, reducing impulsive reactions.
Life can be challenging, and this module provides essential skills to endure difficult emotions and situations without resorting to maladaptive behaviors. Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and self-soothing are taught to help individuals navigate crises with greater resilience.
Understanding and managing emotions is crucial for reducing emotional reactivity. This module helps individuals identify and label their emotions, understand their functions, and employ strategies like opposite action to change unwanted emotional responses. By enhancing emotional resilience, individuals can handle stress more effectively.
Healthy relationships are vital for well-being. This module focuses on teaching skills for effective communication, setting boundaries, and maintaining relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques such as active listening, assertiveness, and problem-solving empower individuals to interact with others in a way that respects their needs and those of others.
These skills are typically taught in a DBT skills group, where individuals can practice and reinforce their learning in a supportive environment. By participating in a DBT skills group, individuals gain the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.
What Skills Does Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Teach
Emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness relate to change. Emotional regulation teaches you how to change the feelings that you want to change. Interpersonal effectiveness teaches you how to say no and ask for what you want while managing relationships and maintaining self-respect.
By learning these skills, you have the tools that you need to control your behavior, emotions, and thoughts. This is beneficial for abstaining from drinking and using. Along with helping prevent relapse, the DBT skills teach you that slipping up doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve recovery. It also gives you techniques to reduce adverse consequences and the dangers of infection and overdose.
How to Find a DBT Therapist in Portland
- Check with Your Insurance Provider: Talk to our admissions team about insurance verification for DBT therapy. Request a list of in-network providers who specialize in dialectical behavior therapy.
- Search Online Directories: Utilize online directories such as Psychology Today or GoodTherapy to find therapists who specialize in DBT. These platforms often provide detailed profiles, including the therapist’s qualifications and areas of expertise.
- Contact the Portland DBT Institute: The Portland DBT Institute is a reputable organization offering DBT training and resources. They can provide a list of certified DBT therapists in the area, ensuring you find a qualified professional.
- Ask for Referrals: Don’t hesitate to ask friends, family members, or healthcare professionals for recommendations. Personal referrals can be invaluable in finding a trustworthy therapist.
- Check Credentials: Ensure the therapist is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with experience in DBT. It’s crucial to find someone who has experience working with your specific concerns, such as personality disorders, suicide attempts, or emotional reactivity.
By following these steps, you can find a DBT therapist in Portland who meets your needs and helps you on your path to recovery.
Get Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Portland, Oregon
Dual diagnosis treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment is a type of treatment that addresses both a mental health disorder and a substance use problem. It is also sometimes called co-occurring disorders treatment.
Dual diagnosis treatment is important because it can help address both the underlying causes of a person’s mental health disorder and their substance use problem. Treatment for both conditions can help a person recover from both disorders and live a healthier, happier life.
Group therapy program
Group therapy is a type of counseling that involves meeting with a group of people to discuss common issues. This type of therapy can be beneficial for people who want to explore their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
Group therapy can help people learn how to express their emotions, set boundaries, and develop healthy relationships. It can also provide a sense of community and support.
Trauma therapy program
Trauma therapy programs are an important part of mental health treatment. They can help people who have experienced trauma to heal and to cope with the aftermath of their experience.
Trauma therapy programs often use a combination of techniques, including talk therapy, exposure therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. These programs can be helpful for people who have experienced traumatic events, such as car accidents, natural disasters, sexual assault, or military combat.
Benefits of DBT in Portland
- Improved Emotional Regulation: DBT helps individuals manage their emotions more effectively, reducing emotional reactivity and increasing emotional resilience. This leads to a more balanced and stable emotional state.
- Increased Coping Skills: DBT provides individuals with practical coping skills to handle difficult situations and emotions. These skills are essential for navigating life’s challenges without resorting to harmful behaviors.
- Enhanced Interpersonal Relationships: By teaching effective communication, boundary-setting, and relationship maintenance skills, DBT helps individuals build and sustain healthy relationships. This fosters a supportive social network and improves overall well-being.
- Reduced Self-Destructive Behaviors: DBT is particularly effective in reducing self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or self-injury. By addressing the underlying emotional issues, DBT helps individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Increased Sense of Self-Worth: Through DBT, individuals can develop a more positive self-image and increase their sense of self-worth. This boost in self-esteem contributes to overall mental health and quality of life.
Incorporating DBT into your therapy can lead to significant improvements in your emotional and psychological well-being. By working with a qualified DBT therapist in Portland, you can experience these benefits and take meaningful steps towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.
