Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health concerns people face. One effective option for getting relief from anxiety is to begin a dialectical behavior therapy program. These talk therapy sessions allow you to understand why you struggle with anxiety and make the necessary changes to your thinking processes.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) techniques can teach you how to regulate your emotions, which is essential for the treatment of anxiety as well as for better overall mental and physical health. But what is this type of therapy, and what can you expect when you attend a session? The professionals at Promises Behavioral Health can help.
DBT for Anxiety: What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy is a type of talk therapy that can be very helpful for people who experience emotions strongly. It focuses on helping you develop mindfulness skills and improve distress tolerance.
DBT encourages positive thinking, non-judgmental attitudes, and compassion for yourself and others. The goal is to help you accept yourself the way you are while also striving to make changes for the better.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Techniques
Mindfulness is one of the core dialectical behavior therapy techniques. With mindfulness, you can learn to ground yourself in the present moment, which can stop your racing thoughts and allow you to see the situation without judgment. That is one reason why DBT for anxiety can be so helpful.
Mindfulness techniques can include:
- Meditation
- Body scanning
- Deep breathing
DBT also teaches you distress tolerance by utilizing distraction. It shows you how to change your focus when you’re in distress so that you prevent the escalation of anxiety. Emotional regulation plays a part in distress tolerance, so DBT for anxiety also helps you learn to recognize powerful emotions and address them in healthier ways.
Additionally, DBT helps you with interpersonal effectiveness. These are social skills that allow you to express yourself appropriately and to give voice to your needs assertively but without damaging relationships.
The majority of the time, you will receive treatment in individual therapy sessions, but group therapy that incorporates DBT is very helpful for practicing interpersonal effectiveness.
Benefits of DBT for Anxiety
A vital benefit that DBT offers is the chance to learn to accept yourself. You’re encouraged to fully embrace who you currently are while putting goals in place for where you want to be. This can curb some of the anxiety that can prevent you from taking that first step toward change.
At the same time, DBT helps you to recognize the destructive behavioral patterns that stem from negative thoughts. Once you’re able to identify these, you can start making the necessary changes. Learning how to do this can transform all aspects of your life.
You’ll improve your communication skills, too. Not only will this help you build healthier relationships, but it can improve work-related interpersonal issues. You get to practice all of the most effective ways of communicating your needs with your therapist and with others during group sessions.
Because DBT is a highly flexible therapy program, you and your therapist can adjust it to meet your exact needs. It also works well in combination with a variety of other techniques.
Start a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program at Promises Behavioral Health Today
Anxiety disorders can cause significant distress. Your quality of life could be severely impacted, and you may not know how to break free from the grip that anxiety has on your life. One of the best options is to begin a treatment program.
At Promises Behavioral Health, we offer a variety of treatment options, including dialectical behavior therapy, to help you achieve a healthier lifestyle. You can contact us by calling 844.875.5609 or completing our online contact form.