Addiction and mental health often go hand in hand. It is common for people with untreated mental health conditions to begin abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with their symptoms. If you have both a substance use disorder and a mental illness, you have co-occurring disorders.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “approximately 21.5 million adults in the United States have a co-occurring disorder.”[1]
When you have co-occurring disorders, you need to treat both conditions at the same time. Thankfully, dual diagnosis programs were created to address this specific issue.
While these programs use many services to help you achieve recovery, one of the most common treatment techniques is a type of therapy called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT can treat a wide range of mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders. It helps you learn how to manage intense emotions, improve your relationships, and reduce destructive behaviors.
If you are looking for a DBT program in Florida, you’ve come to the right place. At Agape Behavioral Healthcare, we offer dialectical behavior therapy to our clients who struggle with conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, addiction, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In this article, you will learn:
- What is DBT?
- What can DBT treat?
- Where to find a DBT program near me?
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment that teaches emotional regulation skills, helps you improve your relationships, and shows you how to change negative behavioral patterns. It uses mindfulness techniques and behavioral therapy to elicit positive changes in clients.
DBT is derived from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which believes that negative thoughts are distortions that you can swap with more productive thoughts to relieve issues like depression and anxiety.[2]
While DBT uses the core beliefs of CBT, it focuses on challenging black and white thinking and encourages people to recognize that there is more than one way to view situations. This can be incredibly helpful for people who struggle with negative thoughts, as it allows them to understand that there are ways to challenge the struggles they are facing.
Agape Behavioral Accepts Private Insurance Plans 
What Does DBT Treat?
Because dialectical behavior therapy is evidence-based, that means it has been researched and proven effective in managing specific mental health conditions. But what disorders can DBT treat?
Dialectical behavior therapy is an evidence-based treatment for:[3]
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Anxiety conditions
- Depression
- Substance use disorders
- Eating disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Self-harm
Because DBT can treat a wide variety of mental health conditions and addictions, it is often used for co-occurring disorders. For example, if you suffer from addiction and PTSD, you might engage in DBT during your dual diagnosis treatment program.
While DBT can be used during individual therapy, it is often completed in the format of group therapy sessions. Also known as DBT skill training groups, this type of group counseling is effective because it allows clients to work together to find solutions for negative behavioral patterns, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and intense emotions. Additionally, clients will develop a level of interpersonal effectiveness and distress tolerance when they undergo DBT in a group setting.
Where to Find a DBT Program in Florida
If you are interested in participating in dialectical behavior therapy, you might be wondering where you can find it. While a private therapist can guide you through DBT, you might need more support than biweekly therapy can offer. If so, you should look for an addiction and mental health treatment center that offers DBT sessions.
At Agape Behavioral Healthcare, we offer DBT sessions at our facility. We have a variety of programs to choose from, including inpatient rehab and outpatient treatment. If you suffer from a condition that DBT is effective in managing, your therapist will facilitate it, whether you are in an inpatient or outpatient program.
Even further, DBT is one of the main methods of treatment we use for co-occurring disorders. Because it can teach emotional regulation skills and reduce impulsive behaviors, it is effective in managing comorbid mental health and addiction. If you are looking to learn the skills you need to achieve recovery from your co-occurring conditions, Agape Behavioral Healthcare is here to help.
Get Connected to a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program in FL
If you suffer from a mental health condition, addiction, or a combination of both, dialectical behavior therapy might be right for you. At Agape Behavioral Healthcare, we use DBT to treat a wide range of conditions, including co-occurring disorders. If you are looking for a DBT program in Florida, you’ve come to the right place.
At Agape Behavioral Healthcare, we believe in a love that’s universal and unconditional. We are passionate about providing an opportunity for authentic transformation to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
Since 2016, our mission has remained the same: to be a guiding light on the path to recovery and wellness for those struggling with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Contact us today for more information on our DBT program in Florida.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions
- Harvard Health Publishing: Dialectical behavior therapy: What is it and who can it help?
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Dialectical Behavior Therapy
