Treating addiction and mental health issues starts with the latest and greatest evidence-based therapies. At South Coast Behavioral Health, we offer dialectical behavior therapy near Los Angeles at our treatment centers in Orange County, CA. If you’re ready to turn your life around, learn more about DBT and how it can help below!
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a clinical psychology modality focused on the effective treatment of personality disorders and other mental health disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, came from cognitive behavioral therapy, often known as CBT. CBT enables people to change their thinking and manage their emotions. DBT therapy also does this, while also focusing on skills training.
Dialectical behavior therapy near Los Angeles focuses on the following skills:
- Mindfulness – Mindfulness skills emphasize being aware of and accepting one’s feelings in the present moment.
- Distress tolerance – Distress tolerance skills emphasize recognizing painful emotions and managing them effectively.
- Emotional regulation – Emotional regulation allows people to understand what their feelings are and ride the wave of emotions, learning to sit with their intense emotions.
- Interpersonal effectiveness – Interpersonal effectiveness is about learning how to better communicate with others and navigate relationships.
These skills are sometimes known as “comprehensive DBT.” Learning them helps us become more assertive, but also more respectful, and better able to maintain relationships.
DBT training can take place in both group and individual therapy sessions in Orange County, CA.
What Does DBT Treat?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy initially developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, its application grew over the years to include a variety of mental health disorders and issues, particularly those involving emotion regulation, interpersonal relationships, and distress tolerance.
Below are some of the addiction and mental health disorders DBT treats, along with explanations for each:
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): DBT helps individuals with BPD. A mental health disorder involving intense emotional swings, unstable relationships, self-image issues, and impulsive behaviors. DBT helps by teaching skills to manage emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and improve relationships.
- Depressive Disorders: DBT for depression helps Individuals with major depressive disorder or persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) by teaching them skills to tolerate distress, regulate emotions, and develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with negative thought patterns.
- Anxiety Disorders: This includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and others. DBT helps by teaching mindfulness, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety, and by providing tools for managing acute and chronic anxiety.
- Substance Use Disorders: DBT can be effective for those struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol. It teaches patients how to cope with cravings, avoid triggers, and improve decision-making skills, all while working on underlying emotional issues that may contribute to substance use.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): For individuals with PTSD, DBT helps by providing skills to manage intense emotions and reduce behaviors related to trauma, such as self-harm or substance abuse. It also includes components of exposure therapy to help individuals confront and process traumatic memories safely.
Dialectical behavior therapy is useful for anyone who struggles to regulate their negative emotions or compulsions at the moment and would benefit from learning how to be more present. DBT treatment may also be used in conjunction with antidepressant medications for mental health issues like depression or bipolar disorder. It can also take the form of individual therapy or group sessions.
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Call 866-881-1184How Does DBT Work?
When someone enters dialectical behavior therapy near Los Angeles, they may be struggling to manage their emotions. Their tolerance for frustration or rejection could be poor. When people struggle to tolerate emotional discomfort, they may engage in self-destructive actions. Suppose a client is suicidal, self-injuring, or participating in other dangerous behaviors. In that case, a DBT therapist will first help them get to the point where they are no longer risking harm to themselves.
Distress tolerance and emotional regulation are frequently the first components addressed in a DBT program. Mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness, as well as other elements like self-compassion, are introduced subsequently. A DBT therapist in Southern California will assist an individual in learning how to cope with negative emotions and accept how they feel without attempting to alter them.
So how does dialectical behavior therapy near Los Angeles work?
A DBT therapy session includes four key components:
1) Individual Therapy
The client meets one-on-one with a DBT therapist. These sessions typically focus on addressing issues that come up in the client’s daily life, teaching and applying DBT skills to these situations, and improving motivational aspects and self-esteem. The therapist and client work together to ensure that all problems are addressed in a supportive environment.
2) Group Skills Training
Clients near Los Angeles, CA attend a group session that meets once a week for approximately 2-2.5 hours. Here, they learn and practice DBT skills alongside others. These sessions are structured more like a class than traditional group therapy, focusing on teaching the skills rather than group dynamics or support.
3) Phone Coaching
Dialectical behavior therapy near Los Angeles provides an option for clients to call their therapist between sessions for help in applying skills to real-life situations. This component is critical for transferring the skills learned in therapy and group sessions to the client’s everyday life.
4) Consultation Team for Therapists
DBT therapists serving the Los Angeles area also participate in regular consultation team meetings. These meetings support therapists, provide a place to develop and refine their skills, and ensure that the treatment adheres to the DBT model. This is a unique aspect of DBT, emphasizing the importance of therapist support and development.
Dialectical behavior therapy near Los Angeles is a comprehensive treatment approach that focuses on the development of skills for managing emotions, navigating interpersonal relationships, tolerating distress, and practicing mindfulness. Through individual therapy, group skills training, and between-session support, clients are equipped with tools to improve their quality of life and address specific psychological challenges.
Find a DBT Treatment Center Near Me in Los Angeles
When searching for a DBT treatment center near Los Angeles, it’s important to consider several key factors to ensure you find a facility that meets your specific needs and can provide the highest quality of care.
Here are the essential criteria to look for in a DBT treatment center:
- Certified DBT Therapists: Ensure the center employs therapists who are specifically trained and certified in dialectical behavior therapy. Certification or extensive training in DBT indicates that therapists have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective treatment.
- Comprehensive DBT Program: A quality DBT center in Los Angeles should offer a comprehensive DBT program that includes all components of standard DBT: individual therapy, DBT skills training groups, phone coaching, and a therapist consultation team. This holistic approach is crucial for the effectiveness of DBT.
- Tailored Treatment Plans: Look for a center that offers individualized treatment plans. Personalized plans ensure that therapy addresses your specific needs, challenges, and goals, which is vital for successful treatment outcomes.
- Experience with Your Specific Disorder: Because DBT treats a wide range of mental health disorders, find a center with experience in treating your specific condition, whether it’s borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, or another issue.
- A Positive, Supportive Environment: The atmosphere of the treatment center should be welcoming and supportive. A positive environment can significantly enhance the therapeutic process and encourage personal growth and healing.
- Ongoing Evaluation and Support: High-quality centers provide ongoing assessment of your progress and offer continued support even after the completion of the program. This might include follow-up sessions, booster groups, or referrals to community resources.
- Insurance and Financial Considerations: Verify that the center accepts your insurance or offers a payment plan that works for you. Understanding the financial aspects beforehand can alleviate stress and ensure that you can focus on your therapy.
- Client Testimonials and Outcomes: Look for reviews or testimonials from previous clients, if available. Success stories and positive outcomes can provide insight into the effectiveness of the center’s DBT program.
- Accessibility and Location: Consider the center’s location and its accessibility to you. For example, if you live in Los Angeles, you should be seeking DBT near Los Angeles. Regular attendance is crucial for the success of DBT, so the center should be conveniently located or easily reachable.
- Initial Consultation: Seek a center that offers an initial consultation or assessment before starting the program. This meeting can help determine if the center’s approach and philosophy align with your needs and expectations.
To find a DBT treatment center near Los Angeles, it would be useful to search online directories, ask for recommendations from healthcare professionals, or inquire about mental health forums or communities specific to Los Angeles. Given the size and diversity of Los Angeles, there are likely several reputable centers to choose from, so applying these criteria will help narrow down your options to find the best fit for your situation.
Looking for quality substance abuse treatment that’s also affordable? South Coast accepts most major insurance providers. Get a free insurance benefits check now.
Check Your CoverageDialectical Behavior Therapy in California at SCBH
If you or a loved one are seeking dialectical behavior therapy near Los Angeles, South Coast Behavioral Health is here to help. We offer DBT in both group and individual sessions and offer it in an inpatient setting. You can start on it as soon as you complete your medical detox, which is the first step in treating addiction.
Our medical detox program in California is staffed by caring and compassionate professionals who can provide you with medications to manage your withdrawal symptoms.
At South Coast, we take pride in offering care that is closely tailored to specific issues. To that end, we offer gender-specific detox programs, with medical detox for men in Irvine, CA, and medical detox for women in Huntington Beach, CA.
After detoxing, proper treatment can begin.
Treatment for substance abuse takes place along an entire spectrum of care. Along that entire spectrum are various behavioral therapies, support groups, and the use of medically-assisted treatment (MAT).
These levels of treatment are, in order, as follows:
Residential Treatment in California
After completing medical detox, you’ll receive inpatient treatment in Orange County California. There, you’ll receive medically-assisted treatment and dual diagnosis treatment to deal with any cravings or co-occurring mental health issues you may be battling. It’s also at this point you can receive dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) near Los Angeles.
We also offer residential treatment facilities in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Huntington Beach for those who desire gender-specific treatment. There, patients can get round-the-clock medical attention while living at the institution full-time.
In addition to individual and group counseling and medication management, you will have access to recreational activities and family support services.
Partial Hospitalization in California
Most clients start substance abuse treatment with South Coast in our residential treatment program. After completing that, many desire something that still provides structure and support, but with extra space and time to oneself. For that, we offer Partial Hospitalization in Newport Beach.
Partial hospitalization, which is a step down from inpatient care but more structured than traditional outpatient programs, provides a nice balance for patients wishing to ease back into normal life. Clients can receive care five to seven days a week for a set number of hours per day before going home in the evening.
This allows them to heal without fully disrupting their everyday life while getting intensive therapeutic interventions such as group and individual therapy, skill development, and medication management as needed.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment in California
For people transitioning from inpatient residential treatment or partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs (IOP) provide another step toward recovery.
With a focus on group therapy, individual counseling, and education, clients undergoing Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Newport Beach can meet three to five days a week. Each session lasts three hours.
This level of care requires the least amount of attendance at a facility.
Start Today
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction but wonder how long addiction treatment takes or have other questions, call us at 866-881-1184. Our highly qualified staff will be happy to help give you an idea of what to expect from your addiction recovery timeline, verify your insurance, and assist with any other questions you may have.
