What is DBT and How Can It Help with Trauma?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, is a type of therapy that has been making waves in the field of mental health, especially for those dealing with trauma. At its core, DBT combines acceptance and change to help individuals heal emotionally and build a fulfilling life. What exactly does this mean, and how can it help with trauma?
Understanding Dialectics
The term “dialectical” might sound complex, but it is simply a philosophical concept about bringing together opposite ideas. In the context of DBT, this means accepting who you are while also recognising the need for change. Although acceptance and change may seem contradictory, they are both essential for healing. For instance, deciding to accept yourself is a form of change, and you cannot truly change something without first accepting it.
DBT is full of these “dialectics”
Some examples include:
- You are doing the best you can, but you can also try harder.
- You are motivated to change, but you need to become even more motivated.
- You may not have created all your problems, but it is your responsibility to address them.
The Goals of DBT
DBT aims to achieve three primary goals: escaping emotional pain, often referred to as “hell”, staying out of it, and building a life worth living. Emotional pain can feel like being in hell, and many trauma survivors are familiar with this intense suffering. While some might manage to numb their pain, DBT pushes beyond just coping; it encourages learning to laugh, love, and live fully again. It is about not just surviving, but thriving.
Skills-Building in DBT
What makes DBT unique is its strong focus on building practical skills. These skills are designed to help with various aspects of life, such as thoughts, feelings, behaviours, triggers, awareness, acceptance, and relationships. Learning these skills takes time, effort, patience, and self-forgiveness. Mistakes are expected and part of the process—every slip is just “Skills-Learning in Progress” (SLIP). One key point in DBT is that, as long as you are trying, you are succeeding. The only way to truly fail is to give up on using the skills and even taking a break does not mean you have failed.
DBT and Trauma
Trauma can throw our lives into chaos, affecting our awareness and acceptance. This often leads to a mindless state characterised by reactivity and dissociation, which were initially adaptive responses to danger but became problematic once the trauma has passed. DBT aims to find a balance between extremes, like overreacting and underreacting, or overthinking and underthinking. In essence, DBT helps restore equilibrium to areas of life that trauma has disrupted. It does this by teaching skills that foster self-awareness, stress management, emotional regulation, and improved relationships.
Adaptation: Why Choose DBT for Trauma?
There are several reasons why DBT is effective for trauma survivors:
I) Adaptation for Balance Restoration
Moreover, DBT actively tackles imbalance from trauma, empowering individuals to regain control and stability in their daily lives. Furthermore, it equips people with practical skills that enhance emotional regulation and improve relationships impacted by past traumatic experiences. Additionally, DBT promotes self-awareness and resilience, enabling individuals to adapt positively to life’s challenges while maintaining emotional balance. Ultimately, this approach supports long-term healing by fostering adaptation, restoring personal harmony, and reinforcing confidence in managing emotional wellbeing independently.
II) Adaptation Through Practical Skills
Moreover, DBT provides concrete, actionable skills that individuals can practise independently to reinforce learning and encourage consistent personal growth. Furthermore, these practical techniques remain effective outside therapy sessions, allowing individuals to integrate them seamlessly into their everyday routines. Additionally, regular independent practice strengthens emotional regulation and resilience, promoting lasting positive change beyond the therapeutic environment. Ultimately, adaptation through skill application empowers individuals to maintain progress, overcome challenges, and build confidence in managing their emotional wellbeing.
III) Wide Applicability
DBT effectively addresses multiple issues that may arise from trauma, offering structured strategies for lasting emotional healing. Moreover, it helps individuals manage insomnia by teaching relaxation techniques and improving emotional regulation before bedtime. Furthermore, DBT supports anxiety reduction through mindfulness practices and adaptive coping strategies for stressful situations. Additionally, it aids those with ADHD by enhancing focus, emotional control, and impulse management skills. Likewise, DBT can reduce depression symptoms by fostering self-acceptance and encouraging positive behavioural changes. Similarly, it provides valuable tools for managing eating disorders by addressing emotional triggers and promoting balanced behaviours. Ultimately, DBT benefits people with borderline personality disorder by reducing emotional instability and strengthening interpersonal effectiveness.
IV) Complementary Approach
DBT complements other therapies by reinforcing their core principles and practical techniques. Moreover, it integrates seamlessly with cognitive behavioural approaches for greater effectiveness. Furthermore, DBT enhances psychodynamic work by adding structure and actionable coping strategies. Additionally, it supports trauma-focused therapies by improving emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills. Likewise, DBT strengthens mindfulness-based models through its targeted focus on present-moment awareness. Similarly, it contributes to acceptance-based therapies by teaching balance between change and acceptance. Consequently, DBT can improve treatment outcomes across a range of psychological conditions. Therefore, many practitioners integrate DBT into existing therapeutic frameworks for enhanced results. Ultimately, combining DBT with other models offers clients broader and more adaptable support. Finally, its flexibility makes DBT a valuable component in diverse treatment plans.
Final Thoughts on Adaptation
In conclusion, DBT provides a structured yet adaptable method for effectively addressing and recovering from various forms of trauma. Moreover, by blending acceptance with change, it enables individuals to overcome emotional pain and create fulfilling, meaningful lives. Furthermore, DBT offers practical tools that help manage thoughts and emotions, supporting lasting personal growth and emotional balance. Additionally, it presents a hopeful path for those facing overwhelming feelings or seeking healthier ways to cope with challenges. Ultimately, if you wish to explore DBT for trauma, contacting our clinic can provide guidance and personalised treatment options.
Written by Seray Soyma
If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here.
Seray Soyma is working as a Clinical Psychosexologist within the Willingness team, providing psychosexual education and sexual support sessions, as well as delivering training and workshops. She has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychosexology from the Sapienza University of Rome. Seray’s research interests are sexual communication, sex-positive behaviour, LGBTQIA+ studies, and sexual health.
References
Reutter, K. (2019). The dialectical behavior therapy skills workbook for PTSD: Practical exercises for overcoming trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. New Harbinger Publications.
