DBT for Teens in Austin: Empowering Youth Through Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT for Teens in Austin: Empowering Youth Through Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an essential psychotherapy used in the treatment of several mental health disorders. It’s especially useful for teens, as they experience much emotional upheaval during this critical part of their lives. Understanding what DBT is and how it can change the life of your teen is essential to treating disorders from borderline personality disorder (BPD) to addiction.

 

Discover DBT for Teens in Austin at Alpha Behavioral Health

 

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

 

Dialectical behavior therapy is a type of psychotherapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The term “dialectical” refers to how this therapy simultaneously addresses two goals that seem contradictory. These goals are for the client to 1. accept the reality of their lives, feelings, and behaviors and 2. utilize healthy coping strategies to make lasting life changes. The treatment philosophy behind DBT is best summed up as “I’m doing the best I can, but I can do better.”

Dialectical behavior therapy is best used for people who struggle with highly sensitive emotions that impair their functioning. It’s especially useful for children and adolescents with serious emotional instability, which can include self-harming behaviors and suicidal ideation. DBT is also used to stabilize a person’s mood, reduce stress, and regulate emotions.

Dialectical behavior therapy is frequently used adjacently with other psychotherapies, such as:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
  • Group psychotherapy
  • Motivational interviewing

DBT is also highly useful because it integrates smoothly with other therapeutic modalities. It’s not just complementary therapies such as psychotherapy – it’s also an essential part of holistic approaches to mental health care. Therapies such as art therapy and wilderness therapy all integrate smoothly with the key principles of dialectical behavior therapy. This makes it easy to coordinate care and collaborate with treatment plans. Such a wide range of abilities allows dialectical behavior therapy to tackle difficult challenges a client may face.

 

Key Principles of DBT

 

The key principle of DBT is to bring relief to the client who is struggling and increase their quality of life. Clients range in need, from simply needing some extra help to learning tools to manage a lifelong mental health disorder. DBT is flexible enough to fit into nearly every treatment plan and is relatively simple to conduct. With only a few sessions, clients utilizing dialectical behavior therapy can notice an immediate increase in their quality of life.

Part of this is promoting dialectical thinking, which balances acceptance with change. Many mental health disorders must be managed long-term, and that cannot be changed. However, the client has the power to work with their disorder and change aspects of their lives to reduce stress and improve mood.

Dialectical behavior therapy is also a collaborative process and cannot exist without a strong therapeutic relationship. Families are often brought in to further bring validation and support. Throughout the process, the client is never made to feel as if they are wrong for their feelings or emotions. Instead, they are taught the skills needed to utilize their feelings and emotions productively and healthily.

Overall, it’s a safe place where clients can explore their emotions, learn how to appropriately regulate them, and find a healthy balance to allow healthy functioning.

 

Types of Issues DBT Addresses

 

Dialectical behavior therapy was originally designed to treat borderline personality disorder. However, it has shown to be highly effective in treating other disorders, such as:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety, including social anxiety disorder and panic disorder
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Eating disorders
  • Substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction

DBT has also been effective in helping adolescents and young adults manage strong emotions surrounding difficulties such as :

  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Interpersonal conflict
  • Self-destructive behaviors
  • Relationship difficulties with peers and family

The range and flexibility of dialectical behavior therapy make it highly desirable as a treatment option for teens.

 

Why Choose DBT for Teens?

 

DBT is a commonly used therapy for teens because it doesn’t teach teens that their feelings and emotions are wrong. Teens are often taught by society to be quiet and not cause trouble, which prevents teens from honestly talking about their feelings. Many teens struggle with concepts such as anger or sadness because they believe that it’s wrong to have these feelings. DBT shows teens that these feelings and emotions are valid and it’s okay to feel them. However, it also teaches teens how to use these feelings and emotions appropriately and how to express them safely. In all, teens like DBT because it doesn’t talk down to a teen and celebrates them as thinking and feeling people.

It’s not just safe and effective, but it has been shown to help teens who are particularly vulnerable and isolated, giving them a voice for self-expression and advocacy.

 

Common Challenges Faced by Teens

 

Teens face a lot of problems today. They face constant academic and social pressures from authority figures and peers, which can result in high levels of anxiety or stress. Teens especially face depression and anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety or panic disorder. They often feel alone and isolated and typically have their feelings and concerns dismissed. Faced with an uncertain future and often undiagnosed mental health disorders, it’s no wonder why many teens turn to destructive self-harming behavior, such as substance abuse. When their mental and physical health plummet, there is a serious risk of suicidal ideation and thoughts.

At Alpha Behavioral Health, we understand what teens are going through. With expensive professional knowledge, clients utilize DBT to:

  • Learn and enhance healthy coping mechanisms, such as journaling, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in a hobby
  • Improving relationships with DBT and family therapy
  • Reducing self-destructive and self-harming behaviors
  • Improving emotional regulation and healthy expression
  • Build up healthy confidence and self-esteem

Long-Term Outcomes

 

Dialectical behavior therapy is a tool that can be used at any stage of a person’s life to build resilience and improve mental health. Teenagers who learn and use the skills taught in DBT go on to become healthier adults. For example, DBT can be essential for a teen to keep a job as an adult. The ability to engage in healthy conflict resolution and regulate emotions means that problems can be solved quickly and easily. DBT also teaches teens how to be healthy partners, navigate the stress of higher education, and establish a supportive community by learning valuable life skills.

 

Our DBT Programs at Alpha Behavioral Health

 

Alpha Behavioral Health is a residential treatment center that offers a wide variety of programs to help teens and young adults recover from addiction and other mental health disorders. This is often conducted through either the Alpha 180 transitional living program or the intensive outpatient program (IOP). Regardless of the program chosen, clients can expect to receive quality and compassionate mental health treatment and care.

DBT is utilized in nearly every program but is focused on individual counseling, group psychotherapy, and family therapy. Individual sessions offer a private space for clients to relax. In individual therapy sessions, the goal is to give the client a supportive base they can draw from when engaging in other therapies. It’s a time to foster a healthy client-therapist relationship, with the trust resulting from that being essential for group and family therapy. 

Group psychotherapy allows clients to gain support and encouragement from their fellow peers. The benefits of this are that it shows the client that they aren’t struggling alone. Many clients also draw inspiration from and learn from the experiences of their peers, which teaches them valuable life lessons. Peer support and the community that comes with it don’t just give teens an avenue for healing. It also is a way for them to get support post-treatment. Having genuine connections with others is essential for a healthy mind and a lasting recovery.

Family therapy and support are considered essential, and clients and their families work together to gain a better understanding of each other. Through learning communication and conflict resolution skills, clients gain a healthier relationship with their loved ones. Parents and guardians are also taught how to better understand their teens and support them. Family therapy has been used to heal deep hurts and put families on the path to a brighter and more cohesive future. 

Alpha Launch Program

 

The Alpha launch program is a unique program designed for teens to help them transition into adulthood. By incorporating DBT skills into daily life, teens can engage in activities they may have been afraid to try. This program focuses on helping teens accomplish goals such as:

  • Empowering individuals to build positive self-esteem and courage
  • Learning skills essential to careers, higher education, and home life
  • Offering continued support and follow-ups so no teen feels alone
  • Setting and successfully meeting goals
  • Participating in a healthy peer community

The Alpha launch program is considered an essential form of aftercare for teens post-treatment. It gives them a staging ground to practice the skills they have learned in an encouraging environment while being offered support. Teens succeed in this program not just because of the quality of treatment and professionals on staff. They succeed because, by then, they know they have the power to do so.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What age group is DBT appropriate for?

DBT programs are appropriate for nearly every age group, from young children to adults. However, teens and young adults find the most use from DBT as a way to help them navigate a very emotional and confusing stage of their lives.

How long does DBT treatment typically last?

Clients can expect to use dialectical behavior therapy from six months to a year. The total time needed depends on the individual and their needs, with more severe needs taking longer. It’s standard for individuals to meet at least once a week for individual therapy sessions, phone coaching, and group skills training.

What can parents do to support their teens during DBT?

The best way a parent can support their teen during DBT is to be understanding and validate their teen’s feelings. Parents must also encourage their teens to use the skills they learned in therapy and apply them to real-life situations. Of course, always reminding your teens that you love them and believe in them goes a long way in helping them feel safe and comfortable.

 

Dialectical behavior therapy is one of the many therapies that can help teens overcome their mental health struggles. To learn how Alpha Behavioral Health, located in Austin, TX, can help your teen, call (833) 257-4218 today.