Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a variation of evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It focuses on teaching people to be mindful and live in the given moment. The primary goal of DBT is to develop healthy ways to deal with stress, regulate emotions, and reduce conflict. Compared to CBT, DBT places more emphasis on managing emotions and building healthy relationships.
How DBT Works
DBT is often used in a variety of settings such as individual therapy, group therapy, and phone coaching. It revolves around four key areas, which include mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation.
During sessions, therapists will offer validation to increase the chance of cooperation and positive change. They may validate that your actions make sense without agreeing that they’re the best way to resolve an issue. Instead, a therapist will work with you to develop new strategies to adopt healthier skills based on the four main pillars of DBT:
Mindfulness
Mindfulness refers to one’s ability to be present in the moment. This means not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It’s also important to be able to accept difficult situations, rather than avoid them or fixate on what “should have” been done in the past.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
DBT encourages individuals to develop relationships with others based on mutual respect and compassion. This involves effective communication by paying attention to tone of voice and body language along with what is actually being said.
Distress Tolerance
Distress tolerance is defined as the ability to tolerate feelings of stress, anxiety, anger, or pain in the moment. DBT involves developing effective ways of dealing with difficult or troubling situations that may arise. This can include anything from distracting yourself during a panic attack until it passes, taking deep breaths when angry, or finding a healthy physical release for pent-up nervous energy.
Emotional Regulation
Emotional self-regulation is the process of controlling your emotions in a healthy manner. DBT encourages patients to examine their feelings and develop constructive methods for dealing with them. The aim is to gain an understanding of what these sentiments are and why they occur, rather than attempting to eliminate or hide them.
200+ 5 Star Reviews
I have hope gor the future.
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Jill P. 2/12/2024 This has been one of the best treatment centers ever. They really care for the clients needs. Definitely would refer anyone who's going through addiction and mental health to go here.
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Gregory H. 2/05/2024 My experience here was amazing. My doctors, therapists, and health technicians were above and beyond professional. My time here has given me hope for the best future imaginable and I owe it to the full dedicated staff who live for nothing else but the patients well being. Thank you to everyone involved in my healthcare treatment during my time here. I am eternally grateful to all of you.
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Keith M. 2/05/2024 I have been blessed with the opportunity to continue my healing and path of self-discovery, thanks to Compassions. Cameron, Heather, Vaneeta, Leah, Janene, Elena, Evo, Paul, Andres, Amanda, Kenya, Richie, Sarah, Jenny, Keith, Jennifer, Paula, Ramona, Tamika, Hailey, Danielle— I could keep going but you get the point— were all extremely supportive and caring. Everyone there is an asset to the programs offered. I feel stable and so much more self-aware. I cannot explain how grateful I am for each and every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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kalena v. 1/21/2024 .My experience was a good one. I would recommend this facility for anyone seeking help. My therapist Liseanne was amazing. My case manager Ramona was professional and helpfull. Thanks CBH for giving me a better prospective of treatment.
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Royce W. 1/19/2024 I feel I have the best tools to stay sober. The approach from a behavioral therapist has given me confidence that I will stay sober. My case manager Romona has helped me to be prepared for the outside world. My therapist Liz has helped me address my mental health and needs related to sobriety.
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David H. 1/19/2024 great people. good experience. forever grateful.
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matthew h. 1/18/2024 From the facilitators, clinical team, and techs; everyone was great! Very welcoming and compassionate. I would highly recommend this facility. They really help you get to the next stages of your life. A lot of changes have happened since being here and they were with me every step of the way!
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kirstin s. 1/15/2024 Cameron is the best case worker I ever had she is very helpful and made sure I had everything I needed to succeed I'm very greatful for her she is amazing thanks cam you rock
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Supa Y. 1/15/2024 After spending a month at compassions behavioral health in Oakwood , I’ve learned how to manage my emotions and better understand my substance abuse problem. The staff here are great and genuinely care about your needs. The therapist and case managers went above and beyond to ensure a successful rehabilitation. The techs are always checking on you and work hard to keep us on a routine. I have nothing but gratitude for compassions and would highly recommend this program to someone else who is struggling.
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Nicolas P. 1/01/2024 Amazing experience with incredible, caring people. I was treated really great by all the health and residential staff. Paula and Hailey really helped me find inner peace again. Tiki and Evo made sure I did not want for anything. My case manager Cameron was awesome. All techs and clinical staff were outstanding.
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TheRhino35 12/24/2023 Great experience at CBH. I started on Residential level of care and stepped down to PHP and then IOP and completed the program in 40 days. I been to many centers before and the staff and program here is amazing. The facility is great and everyone is supportive. Thank you for giving me a second chance in life.
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Kimberly F. 12/23/2023 Great therapists and nice facilities including clinical and housing.
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Pete P. 12/22/2023 I was pleasantly surprised with how effective and beneficial this PHP program was. Thank you too my therapist Haley she's is the best as well as Cameron too. I cant thank them enough. I would definitely refer this program to anyone that needs it!
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Jared J. 12/19/2023 My experience at Compassion Health was just amazing! I truly recommend it. You get the quality care and understanding from a team of experts that care about you and make you feel at home.
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Lorena P. 12/17/2023 Excellent staff especially my case worker Cameron and the rest of the team. Thanks y'all!!
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Cheri B. 12/03/2023 Cameron was extremely helpful in all areas of my needs and got things needing to get done in a timely manner. Housing was clean and well kept. Tiki and Tamika were a blessing. All groups were insightful and helpful.. I would recommend anyone in need of help to call CBH. Thank you for all everyone's done for me....
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Kristinne N. 11/19/2023 My best experience for SA treatment, by far. Rehab is not a comfortable situation in which to be in the first place, but the staff at compassion treated me with dignity and a caring disposition every day. For PHP there are rules and structure as is expected from a treatment program, but they were not intrusive and there was plenty of activities to cope with the constraints and make it much more bearable. I'm grateful for having been able to attend and complete the program.
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Mauricio P. 11/19/2023 This faculty was a stepping stone in my life journey to become the woman that I am today. They provided a safe place for me to feel how I was feeling. With that, I am celebrating two years sober this weekend 11/12. Very grateful for all the staff and growth.
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Kamerin C. 11/12/2023 I’ve been to treatment several times over the years for substance abuse and mental health. And CBH has by far done more for me than any previous treatment center. At the time I discharged I actually felt confident that I would do well. My therapist Vaneeta was excellent! And the group facilitators were top notch as well. I was set for success with great aftercare planning. I would highly recommend this program for anyone that is struggling with mental health or addiction!
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Evan L. 11/12/2023 Kind and accommodating staff helped me get through my toughest days
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Fabio P. 10/27/2023 This place really cares about people and has set me up for success in life
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Parker N. 10/14/2023 Hi, my name is Carlos and i was at compassions for about two months in 2021. my time there was something i had never experienced before but in the situation i was in it really helped me overcome it and move forward with my life. the main thing i always remember about compassions is the staff and the work they do. the patience and care that they treated us with showed me that they love what they do and care for us as regular people, we just sometimes go through it. one of my favorite group sessions was music mondays, we’d close out the day with music and what a song meant to us or made us feel. my main therapist krystel was really helpful in my journey, helping me understand my thoughts and my feelings and why they could be happening, without that i would always just feel overwhelmed. another group session we had was with a counselor named karla and she had us discuss certain events in our life’s (not in any specific way) but the overall aspect of it and learn from our reactions and reactions of others and different ways that we could approach it and countless things that helped us understand ourselves as people. overall my time at compassions was really a good time for me even though i wasn’t in the best place in life, so many things i learned and experienced while i was there that now i can share with people that need it and i know i can help them with the things i learned there. it’s been a couple years now and i joined the army and i’m on my way to start school like i envisioned while i was there and i have the proper and healthy tools for healthy coping mechanisms. it’s also been about two years since i finished my treatment and they still call to check up on how i am doing, for a while they stayed in contact with my mom also to see how i was doing and for all of those reasons i’m forever grateful for compassions and every single person that worked there.
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Carlos A. 10/07/2023 Compassion is a great program. I was there for 36 Days and was the best program I ever went to.
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Lil B. 9/23/2023 The facilitators at CBH are great, the techs care. Sean the case manager helped me every step of the way in terms of figuring out my after care, it ain’t no Taj Mahal but it does the job if you’re willing to do the work.
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Michael S. 9/23/2023 Great program all around
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Insane S. 9/22/2023 The place was clean staff very polite amazing therapy check it out
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PlatonicPeache 9/22/2023 Compassion is a great program. After trying 7 programs I found a home away from home at CBH. From the clinical staff to the tech staff you will receive the best care. Sean is a great case manager who will make sure things get done in a timely manager from STD requests to food stamps and more. I stayed at compassions a total of 35 days and cannot say enough good things about this program. You also have the opportunity to attend an outside gym 4 days a week, go to the beach twice a week and attend a life-changing church. THANK YOU COMPASSION team - FOR EVERYTHING.
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Elise E. 9/08/2023 CBH has literally been a life changer . From the techs to the therapist and case managers , everyone has been super helpful and provided me with skills and tools to live a healthy, Sober life. A huge thank you to Hailey ( therapist) and Sean ( case manager) for always going out of their way to help me . Also, the techs at the residence were amazing. I would recommend anyone who is struggling to CBH
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Amela M. 8/10/2023 Compassion Behavioral Health is wonderful and clean. They truly care about their patients.
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Jessica S. 7/29/2023