Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)? DBT is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, it focuses on identifying and working to change negative thinking patterns and pushes for positive behavioral changes. Dialectical behavioral therapy is broken into certain skills which can be used on a daily basis.
DBT was initially designed to treat those with borderline personality disorder and other mental illnesses. It has been adapted for other mental health concerns that impact a person’s safety, relationships, school, work, and emotional well-being. Impulsive behaviors are common, however, when those behaviors start to negatively risk your child’s well-being they need to be addressed. DBT is an effective way to help them manage their behaviors and put effort toward positive changes in their behavior.
DBT can be effective in treating:
- Depression
- Anger management
- Behavioral problems
- Difficulties with relationships
- Normalize strong emotions / emotional swings
- Self-soothing skills
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Previous Treatment Failures
- Eating disorders
By developing their DBT skills, children and teens will have the ability to regulate their emotions, tolerate distress, tolerate negative emotions, be mindful and present in the given moment, and communicate and interact effectively with others in becoming more content overall.
At Cameron Pediatric, your child’s individual therapy sessions consist of one-on-one communication with a therapist who is trained in the use of DBT, we also ensure that all of your child’s therapeutic needs are being addressed. Your child’s therapist will help your child/teen stay motivated, apply the DBT skills within daily life, and address obstacles that arise in everyday life (big or small).
DBT is influenced by the philosophical perspective of dialectics: the art of balancing opposites. At CPC, our therapists are skilled in working with your child to find ways to hold two seemingly opposite perspectives at once, promoting balance and avoiding the black and white or the all-or-nothing styles of thinking.
The dialectic at the heart of DBT is acceptance and change and we work with your child and your family to institute that change and get on a path to better mental health. If your child has been managing mental health issues for a long time, DBT has proven to be an effective treatment.
Give us a call to schedule a consultation.