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.
Why Choose DBT for Trauma?
There are several reasons why DBT is effective for trauma survivors:
- Balance Restoration: DBT addresses the imbalance issues caused by trauma, helping individuals regain control over their lives.
- Practical Skills: The therapy teaches concrete, immediately applicable skills that can be practised independently, even outside of therapy sessions.
- Wide Applicability: DBT is effective for a range of issues related to trauma, including insomnia, anxiety, ADHD, depression, eating disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
- Complementary Approach: DBT works well alongside other therapeutic models, enhancing the insights and strategies they offer.
In conclusion, DBT offers a structured yet flexible approach to healing from trauma. By integrating acceptance and change, it empowers individuals to move past their pain and build a life they can genuinely enjoy. Whether you are dealing with intense emotional pain or simply seeking a way to balance your thoughts and feelings, DBT provides practical tools and a hopeful path forward. If you are interested in learning more about DBT and trauma and/or wish to see whether it is the right treatment approach for you, you can contact our clinic for more information.
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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.