Nearly 25% of Canadian adults showed signs of depression, anxiety, or PTSD in 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health conditions spiked globally, and Canada was no exception. Living with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions is taxing and affects your quality of life. Maybe you have a teenager or adolescent also going through some downturns. Where can you find help? DBT therapy is an effective tool that has been used for decades for similar conditions. If you haven’t heard of DBT therapy before, we have a must-read guide for you.
Whether you want to learn more about DBT or are seeking help for yourself or your loved ones, keep reading on. We will talk about what DBT is, how effective it is, and how you can get started with treatment today.
What Is DBT?
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy or cognitive therapy. It focuses on three concepts:
- Interpersonal relationships
- Emotional regulation
- Distress tolerance
It also uses mindfulness. The key to DBT is helping you learn more about yourself. DBT can be used for:
- Changing negative thought patterns
- Coping to stress
- Respond neutrally to situations
A qualified therapist helps you acknowledge feelings and thoughts. They teach you to be in the present without pushing judgment. There are two primary methods you will see DBT, including group and individual sessions.
Individual sessions focus on identifying triggers and becoming mindful of the present. Group sessions are where coping skills develop. During group sessions, you can start recognizing situations that create negative thoughts, behaviours, or sensations.
From this, you can start linking triggers to situations and feelings. It also allows you to work on distress management in a controlled setting.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy vs Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a behavioural therapy that addresses negative thought patterns. As the name sounds, it is a form of cognitive restructuring. Patients learn to identify negative behaviours and their associated thought patterns.
DBT has similar components to CBT. First, it is another form of cognitive therapy. However, patients learn other skills like mindfulness. In specific mental health conditions, it is proven more effective. For example, DBT can reduce medication use and medical care by 90% in patients with borderline personality disorder. While both are effective for mental health conditions, CBT tends to focus more on addiction.
Who Benefits From DBT?
DBT was initially used for suicidal tendencies and borderline personality disorder. It started in the 1970s but has since become a useful tool for several conditions. Other common uses of DBT include:
- Substance use disorders
- Binge eating disorder
- Depression
Where do you find someone to help facilitate DBT? Usually, DBT is administered by qualified and trained therapists. They will have the knowledge and experience to help you with this treatment.
Four Stages of DBT
There are 4 stages of DBT. Some professionals might include a pretreatment stage. During pretreatment, you establish a relationship with a therapist, online or in-person. Afterwards, you can begin DBT treatment.
- In stage one, you start laying the groundwork. At this stage, you will identify problematic behaviours. These may include behaviours that limit your participation or attendance in therapy.
- In stage two, you will work on developing skills that combat past trauma or negative experiences. This also entails any childhood trauma.
- Stage three is where you start looking at the future and setting positive goals. You will use the skills learned in stage three to facilitate long-term success and positive outcomes.
- The last stage is spiritual development. Stages three and four have the least amount of information on them, and some clients might not need to participate in stage four.
The benefit of CBT is that there are no set deadlines or time constraints on how quickly you must move through them. Arguably, stage one is the most important. It includes behavioural stabilization and improving quality of life.
Where To Participate in DBT Therapy
There are several routes to participate in DBT therapy. One of the most common places is within an inpatient DBT program. Usually, these are in conjunction with rehabilitation programs for substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or other addictions.
Other avenues to participating in DBT therapy include DBT classes online. The benefit of a DBT online group is you can participate in therapy in the convenience and privacy of your home. This may be ideal for individuals who are not at risk of harming themselves or others.
You can also purchase and read The Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills Workbook. This book helps you learn DBT on your own and apply skills. While it is not as useful as a trained professional, it can give you a good starting point. It can also be a useful adjunct tool for mental health conditions and mild substance use disorders.
During an inpatient DBT program, you will work within individual and group settings with a skilled psychotherapist. These professionals will help you through the DBT process and facilitate transitions from inpatient to outpatient programs. Another benefit of working with a psychotherapist is participating in other treatments. Other treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy With Suicidal Adolescents
Mental health, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation are on the rise among adolescents and young adults. Approximately 11% of Canadians between 15 and 24 reported meeting criteria for depression.
Unfortunately, only half received professional help. One use of DBT is to help with mental health conditions, especially in adolescents. Additionally, co-occurring disorders are also an issue among adolescents. Some may turn to substances as a form of self-medication. Others might develop mental health conditions from misusing substances.
Studies show that adolescents who had treatment for substance use disorders also had improvements in depression. Qualified rehab centres and clinics use DBT and emotional regulation skills to help with long-term outcomes.
DBT for Substance Use Disorders
There are also several benefits of DBT skills for addiction in adults. DBT addiction skills help recovery and sobriety. One study looked at marijuana use disorders and using DBT versus other psycho-education tools. They found that the patients who learned DBT addiction skills fared better in outcomes than the control group. Additionally, patients who participated in DBT had fewer relapse outcomes.
How Much Does DBT Cost?
DBT costs will vary based on the platform used. Inpatient rehabilitation programs will likely cost more than outpatient programs. Additionally, participating in therapy online can save you money compared to driving to a therapist.
On average, private healthcare coverage covers between $400 and $1,500 for mental health treatment in Canada. Nearly 30% of Canadians pay out of pocket for private psychotherapists.
Ultimately, many programs will work with OHIP, but not all treatment programs or facilities will have full coverage. However, you shouldn’t sacrifice quality for cost. Finding a well-qualified program can pay dividends in the long term.
How To Find “DBT Near Me”
How can you find DBT in Toronto or other surrounding regions? Here are a few key characteristics to look for:
- What type of treatment interventions does the facility offer?
- Does the facility employ qualified psychotherapists?
- Does the facility offer other holistic treatments?
- Is the facility accredited?
- What do the reviews say?
- Is the facility close?
Ultimately, you want a facility with an excellent reputation and qualified mental health professionals. You can also inquire about their different treatment platforms. If you are not interested in an inpatient DBT program, ask about virtual outpatient therapy.
At Simcoe Addiction and Mental Health (SAMH), we focus on several types of evidence-based treatments. DBT is one of our approaches to treating mental health conditions and addiction. We also offer several programs, from online formats to 24/7 residencies.
After participating in DBT at SAMH, you can start noticing a difference in your self-esteem and sense of freedom. Other benefits of our DBT program include education, confidence, self-compassion, and improved psychological health. In return, you will also notice an improvement in your physical health and develop positive life skills that will carry over to real-world applications.
Start DBT Therapy Today
DBT therapy is an excellent tool for mental health conditions and addiction. How does it work? There are some tools you can use online, including a workbook. However, a qualified psychotherapist ensures the best long-term success. At SAMH, we can perform an assessment and evaluation. Afterwards, one of our psychotherapists will develop an individualized DBT plan that can work for you.
You will fine-tune your emotional regulation DBT skills and develop a more positive outlook on life. Are you interested in getting started? To learn more about our programs and treatment plans, contact us today!
