Dialectical Behavior Therapy

The word dialectical describes the tension between two opposing forces or ideas.  In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) we learn how to embrace to seemingly opposite ideas togetherDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a principle driven approach to therapy that was developed in the 1970s by Dr. Marsha Linehan. 

 

DBT treatment targets problems in a particular order, which prevents DBT from becoming a treatment wherein the focus is simply on the crisis of the week. Stages of treatment include: helping clients decrease behaviors that are life-threatening, interfere with treatment, and/or diminish quality of life. The goal is to help our clients create a life of peace, calm, and fulfillment. Our clinicians are passionate in assisting clients through the various stages of treatment – we love watching each person blossom in mind, body, and soul.

 

 

 

Our Oasis DBT therapy team prides themselves in providing comprehensive DBT treatment which adheres to the protocols of Behavioral Tech, LLC. A program of this nature is broken down into three primary components:

• Weekly DBT skills group to teach and practice skills.
• Weekly individual therapy to address the client’s treatment commitment, review diary cards (to track behaviors), and discuss personalized goals.
• Telephone coaching in order to generalize skills into the client’s daily life

Important! – Many therapists claim to offer DBT Treatment, but have little or no training. Furthermore, according to Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP, DBT treatment will not be effective unless the individual therapist meets weekly in a DBT consultation team. Before you begin DBT treatment ask your therapist the following questions:

“Dr. Friedman and Dr. Shutt together have helped me open up to a world of skills in DBT. In order to be able to change your thinking or behavior, you must be first aware of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This is based on Mindfulness which is a tool that has helped me with not only relapse prevention, but any stress or loss in my life. Additionally, I have learned about observing, describing and participating in life with non judgment and the differences between reasonable mind, wise mind, & emotional mind. DBT has taught me how to deal with people in life and in conflict, regulate my emotions, and one of my favorites…Distress Tolerance! The tool that gives you permission to take care of you by improving the moment, distracting & self soothing!”
-LS

DBT Program at Oasis

The outpatient DBT Program at Therapeutic Oasis is geared toward individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to treatment and agree to participate in all three components of the program. Individuals in our program can continue employment, school, and normal daily activities. In fact, it is our mission to help individuals integrate DBT skills into their everyday life. Our DBT program adheres to the strict DBT protocol outlined by Marsha Linehan, the founder of DBT.  All of our therapists are intensively trained by Behavioral Tech, LLC.

Many people have heard of the research and successful outcomes associated with DBT.  Before starting the program at Oasis, our team will assess and work with those interested in DBT treatment to determine readiness and commitment prior to placement in a program. Participants are asked to commit to a minimum of six months of DBT skills training, weekly individual therapy, and phone coaching.  Outcome studies suggest that one full year of comprehensive and consistent DBT therapy produces the best results.  Many of our clients complete additional rounds of skills training prior to graduation from the program in order to completely integrate the skills into their daily life.

People who have participated in the DBT Program at Therapeutic Oasis have reported unbelievable changes in their life. Many clients are eager to share the story of their transformation with newcomers in the DBT Skills Group. They cannot imagine life without DBT.

DBT Treatment Program Components

Individual Therapy

Participants meet one to two times weekly with their individual DBT therapist. One-on-one therapy sessions target specific areas or events that are explored in depth based on the individual goals of each client.

DBT Skills Group

The core of DBT is a two hour group attended weekly for 24 weeks to learn and develop skills in four core areas:

• Mindfulness is the ability to be present in the moment, aware of one’s thoughts, emotions and sensations in the body.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness  involves asking for what you want, maintaining boundaries and self-respect in your relationships.
• Emotion Regulation is the ability to understand your emotion and emotional responses and decrease negative emotions.
• Distress Tolerance builds skills to tolerate difficult situations

 

Our groups are taught in a classroom format following a series of lesson plans that include homework, in-group assignments, and review.  We currently offer the following DBT Skills Groups:

• Adult DBT: Each of our traditional 24-week DBT programs are facilitated by two DBT trained therapists. As clients move through the stages of DBT treatment, they experience a decrease in behaviors that diminish their quality of life.
• Advanced DBT:  This group is suitable for clients who have successfully completed the full 24-week program and wish to continue building skills.
• DBT Multi-Family Group:  Our DBT program for teens offers age appropriate curriculum which combines DBT skills and inquiry-based learning.  The weekly skills group is facilitated by two DBT trained therapists.  This program accommodates local school schedules and includes parent involvement.
• WISE-UP:  Our DBT inspired youth programs present the core DBT skills in a kid-friendly package that promotes creativity, confidence and engages the Wise Mind.
• DBT Boot Camp:  A great skills-refresher for those with previous DBT experience. Work on any one, or all 4 DBT Modules in short 1-week sessions. (Boot Camp is offered seasonally call early to enroll)

Phone Coaching

Phone coaching is not “phone therapy”. It is an opportunity for clients to get real-time support for the application of their newly learned skills and to receive assistance in identifying the most effective skill to use when in a highly emotional state. The phone contact is brief, structured, and intended to support the work done in individual therapy and DBT skills group.

Qualified Professional Team

Every member of our clinical team has been intensively trained in the DBT treatment approach. Each clinician at Oasis is passionate about integrating DBT skills in all aspects of treatment and we truly believe that these skills help our clients create a life worth living. In fact, many of our clients will attest to the fact that DBT has changed their lives in unbelievable ways.

Our intensively trained DBT therapists also meet weekly in a consultation group to maintain the highest standards of DBT application. The meeting is focused on elevating the therapeutic knowledge of the team as a whole and to enhance the DBT experience of our clients.

In addition to the DBT program at Therapeutic Oasis, we also offer a variety of well-researched and highly effective treatment approaches. Our expert staff members are trained in EMDR, trauma resolution therapies, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We also have advanced certifications and training in the treatment of addiction and eating disorders.

The outpatient DBT Program at Therapeutic Oasis is geared toward individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to treatment and agree to participate in all three components of the program. Individuals in our program can continue employment, school, and normal daily activities. In fact, it is our mission to help individuals integrate DBT skills into their everyday life. Our DBT program adheres to the strict DBT protocol outlined by Marsha Linehan, the founder of DBT.  All of our therapists are intensively trained by Behavioral Tech, LLC.

Many people have heard of the research and successful outcomes associated with DBT.  Before starting the program at Oasis, our team will assess and work with those interested in DBT treatment to determine readiness and commitment prior to placement in a program. Participants are asked to commit to a minimum of six months of DBT skills training, weekly individual therapy, and phone coaching.  Outcome studies suggest that one full year of comprehensive and consistent DBT therapy produces the best results.  Many of our clients complete additional rounds of skills training prior to graduation from the program in order to completely integrate the skills into their daily life.

People who have participated in the DBT Program at Therapeutic Oasis have reported unbelievable changes in their life. Many clients are eager to share the story of their transformation with newcomers in the DBT Skills Group. They cannot imagine life without DBT.

DBT Treatment Program Components

Individual Therapy

Participants meet one to two times weekly with their individual DBT therapist. One-on-one therapy sessions target specific areas or events that are explored in depth based on the individual goals of each client.

DBT Skills Group

The core of DBT is a two hour group attended weekly for 24 weeks to learn and develop skills in four core areas:

Mindfulness is the ability to be present in the moment, aware of one’s thoughts, emotions and sensations in the body.

Interpersonal Effectiveness  involves asking for what you want, maintaining boundaries and self-respect in your relationships.

Emotion Regulation is the ability to understand your emotion and emotional responses and decrease negative emotions.

Distress Tolerance builds skills to tolerate difficult situations

Our groups are taught in a classroom format following a series of lesson plans that include homework, in-group assignments, and review.  We currently offer the following DBT Skills Groups:

• Adult DBT: Each of our traditional 24-week DBT programs are facilitated by two DBT trained therapists. As clients move through the stages of DBT treatment, they experience a decrease in behaviors that diminish their quality of life.
• Advanced DBT:  This group is suitable for clients who have successfully completed the full 24-week program and wish to continue building skills.
• DBT Multi-Family Group:  Our DBT program for teens offers age appropriate curriculum which combines DBT skills and inquiry-based learning.  The weekly skills group is facilitated by two DBT trained therapists.  This program accommodates local school schedules and includes a parent involvement.
• WISE-UP:  Our DBT inspired youth programs present core DBT skills in a kid-friendly package that promotes creativity, confidence and engages the wise mind.
• DBT Boot Camp:  A great skills-refresher for those with previous DBT experience. Work on any one, or all 4 DBT Modules in short 1-week sessions.

Phone Coaching

Phone coaching is not “phone therapy”. It is an opportunity for clients to get real-time support for the application of their newly learned skills and to receive assistance in identifying the most effective skill to use when in a highly emotional state. The phone contact is brief, structured, and intended to support the work done in individual therapy and DBT skills group.

Qualified Professional Team

Every member of our clinical team has been intensively trained in the DBT treatment approach. Each clinician at Oasis is passionate about integrating DBT skills in all aspects of treatment and we truly believe that these skills help our clients create a life worth living. In fact, many of our clients will attest to the fact that DBT has changed their lives in unbelievable ways.

Our intensively trained DBT therapists also meet weekly in a consultation group to maintain the highest standards of DBT application. The meeting is focused on elevating the therapeutic knowledge of the team as a whole and to enhance the DBT experience of our clients.

In addition to the DBT program at Therapeutic Oasis, we also offer a variety of well-researched and highly effective treatment approaches. Our expert staff members are trained in EMDR, trauma resolution therapies, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We also have advanced certifications and training in the treatment of addiction and eating disorders.

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