DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY​ In Chicago, IL

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Helping You Calm The Storm

Regularly feeling overwhelmed by intense emotions and mental health issues? We want to help you feel empowered and hopeful about recovery and finding your sense of calm.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) helps people focus on understanding and managing their emotions and behavior. For those who often feel overwhelmed by their emotions, DBT provides much-needed relief.

DBT counseling can help people with mental health issues learn effective strategies for coping with their symptoms in private and public settings and can involve individual and group therapy sessions. Our DBT therapists in Chicago and the surrounding areas want to help you find the right treatment and resources to help you calm the storm, increase your confidence and embrace the present.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy For Brain Disorders

HOW DOES DBT HELP?

DBT uses elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness training to help folks cope with the pain and distress of emotional and behavioral disorders. The goal of DBT is to help people identify negative thinking and behaviors that may be contributing to their difficulties. Mindfulness techniques guide patients toward developing an awareness of their emotions and the effect that these emotions have on their behaviors.

There are several different components to DBT: individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching and a consultation team. Each treatment element aims to help patients improve their emotional regulation and coping skills.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

The client meets with a therapist on a one-on-one basis for individual therapy sessions. These sessions typically focus on helping the person develop skills to manage their emotions, improve relationships and work toward their treatment goals. The therapist and client work collaboratively to address specific challenges and apply DBT strategies in their daily lives.

GROUP SKILLS TRAINING

DBT includes group skills training sessions where folks learn and practice specific skills to enhance their coping abilities. These skills are grouped into four modules:

  • Mindfulness: This module helps a person develop awareness of the present moment, increase their ability to observe and describe their experiences without judgment, and cultivate acceptance.
  • Distress tolerance: This component teaches someone how to manage challenging situations, such as dealing with anger and stress, without resorting to impulsive behaviors that can hurt them. It includes techniques such as self-soothing, distraction and crisis survival strategies.
  • Emotional regulation: This module aims to help a person identify and understand their emotions, regulate intense emotions and increase positive emotional experiences. Skills taught in this module include emotion awareness, mindfulness of emotions, and effective emotion regulation strategies.
  • Interpersonal effectiveness: This component focuses on improving relationships between the client and their loved ones by teaching interpersonal skills such as communication and conflict resolution techniques. It covers topics such as setting boundaries, assertiveness and problem-solving in relationships.
PHONE COACHING

In DBT, clients have access to phone coaching between therapy sessions. This means they can contact their therapist for brief phone consultations to receive guidance.

CONSULTATION TEAM

Our DBT specialists work with a consultation team where they receive supervision and support from other DBT clinicians. They meet regularly to discuss cases, provide feedback and ensure that therapists are adhering to the principles and strategies of DBT. This collaborative consultation allows the client to reap the benefits of a team of people who care about their recovery and well-being.

DBT AT BEST THERAPIES

The DBT program begins with an intensive outpatient treatment program that includes individual counseling, weekly group therapy sessions, and the use of diaries to track mood, behavior and other important information. As a part of DBT therapy, you will typically meet with a therapist in one-on-one sessions and participate in weekly group meetings.

During each session, the therapist will discuss your goals and challenges and how you can improve your quality of life. You’re also encouraged to share how you’re feeling in a safe and supportive environment.

The group sessions can benefit clients struggling to come to terms with their feelings and behaviors. In these sessions, members can discuss their problems and concerns with other group members and learn new ways to cope with difficult situations.

At Best Therapies, we’re committed to delivering high-quality DBT therapy, with the support and respect you deserve to help you grow emotionally and heal to become your favorite self. Reach out to talk to someone today.

DBT FAQs

DBT, which stands for dialectical behavioral therapy, can be helpful for a wide range of mental health problems, including borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, PTSD, and mood disorders. It can be helpful for people who want to work on emotional regulation and strengthening relationships.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy typically involves individual therapy sessions. In some cases, it affects individual and group skills training sessions. It focuses on developing skills for managing difficult emotions, improving relationships, and teaching specific skills such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

DBT is very effective in helping a wide range of people. Significant research has shown that it is the best and most effective treatment for anxiety disorders and personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder. It’s effective for anyone who needs to work with emotional regulation, crises, and struggling with interpersonal skills.

It depends upon the individual. Many people will gain some benefit from DBT in the early days of treatment. Even immediately after the first session, some people report some improvements. Treatment commonly can last a year to two years for most people. And for many people, it’s ongoing throughout their life. Some people find it beneficial to have maintenance treatment for skill development and skill maintenance and help with other crises that might arise in our lives.

Your therapist might ask you to do homework, such as reading books, practicing behavioral exercises, or doing paperwork doing worksheets outside of your session. Participating in a DBT skills group can also be very beneficial.

Our Experts

MSW, MEd, Pre-Licensed Therapist | They/Them/Theirs
LCSW, CADC, Clinical Director | he/him/they/them
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