What is DBT? DBT at Lukin Center: A Toolkit for Tough-to-Treat Issues Learn to regulate your emotions, cope with stress, and improve your relationship skills. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It’s an evidence-based form of talk therapy created to address challenging mental health issues. Over the last 40 years, the science behind DBT has been adapted to effectively treat anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, and other problems. Using DBT techniques in one-on-one therapy can be the key to overcoming complex problems. At Lukin Center, our therapists often incorporate DBT techniques into therapy sessions for patients who have “tried treatment before” or who need some additional tools and coping skills to manage specific emotions and behaviors. Learn more about how Lukin Center matches patients with therapists. DBT at a Glance Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Commonly used to help people with treatment-resistant issues Helps “balance the opposites” of sudden, intense emotions and challenging habits Helps people improve social functioning and relationships Focuses on four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness DBT techniques help you improve your relationships with family, coworkers, and romantic partners. What Can You Expect from DBT Treatment at Lukin Center? Your Lukin Center therapist might weave DBT-informed techniques into your one-on-one sessions to boost the effectiveness of other methods, therapies, or medication. If DBT is a part of your treatment plan, you might also complete personalized “homework assignments” to help you build specific coping skills outside of your sessions. You and your therapist will talk through intense emotions, habits, and behaviors that can seem hard to change. Together, you’ll pinpoint specific ways you can apply the four key areas of DBT to the challenging situations in your life: Mindfulness Learning to be present and non-judgmental in the moment, helping you accept your emotions as they are. Distress Tolerance Developing the skills to tolerate negative emotions instead of trying to escape or ignore them. Emotion Regulation Learning to manage the intense emotions that might be causing problems at home, at work, or in relationships. Interpersonal Effectiveness Using communication to strengthen your relationships rather than disrupt them. Is DBT Right for You? You and your therapist will decide what mix of treatment modalities will help you achieve the results you want. At Lukin Center, we find DBT-informed treatment to be very effective in dealing with issues such as: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Binge-eating Bipolar Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Bulimia Generalized Anxiety Disorder Major Depressive Disorder, Treatment-resistant Major Depression, and Chronic Depression Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Substance Use Disorder You’re in Great Hands Here Lukin Center clinicians must maintain the highest possible degrees and certifications in their fields, and several of our therapists have decades of experience in DBT-informed treatment. As the largest psychotherapy practice in Northern New Jersey, we offer more treatment modalities from more providers than anyone else, so you can connect with the right therapist and the blend of treatment options for you.
