Learn More About Dialectical Behavior Therapy In NYC

By Catherine Carter


Generally, a dialectical behavior therapy is a certain kind of behavioral psychotherapy intended to cure disorders of borderline personality. From when this therapy was developed it have been used to treat other kinds of mental disorders. DBT use a treatment approach that emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of the treatment. However, with dialectical behavior therapy in NYC, you can get treatment for other disorders such as depression, substance dependence, eating disorders and post-traumatic problems.

DBT in its treatment employs cognitive-behavioral approach. This is because some people tend to react in unordinary ways and are highly tense on specific emotional situations. Such emotional situations are such as romantic, family and friend relationships. Again, the DBT theory suggests that arousal level for some individuals in some situations tend to increase faster compared to emotional stimulation level in an average person.

Individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder may experience extreme emotional swings, see the world in shades of black and white or appear to be jumping for a crisis to another. Since most people do not understand these kinds of reactions, they usually lack a means of coping with such sudden and intense surges in emotions. However, DBT is a technique that offers skills that can help in this task.

Generally, the term dialectical relate to synthesis or integration of opposites. In DBT, the basic dialectic is between the seemingly opposite strategies of acceptance as well as change. For example, therapists entertain clients as they are, although the clients need to acknowledge they need to change in order to achieve their goals. On the other hand, strategies and skills that are taught in the DBT are usually balanced on acceptance and change.

Usually, patients receiving DBT have a variety of problems that demand treatment. In New York, the therapy utilizes a sequence of treatment objectives to help a therapist establish the order of addressing the problems. Life-threatening behaviors are the first objectives employed. Such behaviors that may lead to death will be a first target in addition to other forms of suicidal communication, self-inflicted suicidal or non-suicidal injuries, suicidal ideation or other habits that can result in bodily harm.

The second target is the behaviors that interfere with the therapy. These are behaviors that usually interfere with how the patient receive effective treatment. Such behaviors could either be on the side of the patient, therapist or both. For instance, canceling appointments, being late for the sessions, as well as not collaborating towards achieving treatment goals.

The third treatment target is the quality life behavior. In this case, behaviors that interfere with a quality life of the patient are dealt with. Such behaviors are such as relationship problems, mental disorders, and housing or financial crisis.

Another target normally used is the skills acquisition. The target is designed for them to acquire new skillful behaviors that replace the old ineffective ones and help them achieve their goals. Usually, therapists address problems in DBT following the order of the targets above. For example, suicidal behaviors are first addressed. This is because DBT would not be effective in case a patient dies or the patient refuses to go for the sessions.




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