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What You Should Know if You’re Considering Online DBT

Jan 5, 2024

Suppose you’re considering dialectical behavior therapy online. In that case, you may have several questions: not only about what exactly DBT therapy is, but how it can help you achieve your mental health goals. Not only can online DBT therapy allow you to improve emotional regulation, raise your tolerance for distress, and develop healthy coping mechanisms, but it can help you from the comfort of your own home. Take a look at what you need to know if you’re considering dialectical behavior therapy online from MHS in Plymouth, MN.

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical behavior therapy, also known as DBT therapy, is a style of talk therapy adapted to help people who tend to experience emotions more intensely than others. DBT therapy is aimed at helping patients learn how to cope with high levels of emotion more effectively, including providing them with the tools they need to regulate emotions. It is based on cognitive behavioral therapy but includes a focus on acceptance techniques that help patients learn to accept themselves for who they are. 

What Can Online DBT Therapy Help With?

Online DBT therapy has the potential to help with many behavioral challenges. It has successfully been used with children, adolescents, and adults, making it a highly effective strategy for treating a variety of challenges. Online DBT therapy may be used to help with:

Working closely with a therapist at MHS can help patients develop a stronger understanding of where their symptoms come from and how they can most effectively manage those symptoms. 

Common DBT Therapy Techniques

The techniques used in DBT therapy may vary somewhat depending on the individual, the therapist, and the condition you are trying to treat. However, it often involves several common techniques. The pillars of DBT therapy are mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, stress management and tolerance, and emotional regulation. Within those pillars, many therapists will use an array of techniques. 

Keeping an Emotion Diary or Journal

Your therapist may ask you to keep a diary or journal where you document your emotions and responses. Keeping a diary can help you identify potential triggers and challenges, as well as provide your therapist with more information about what you need to work on during your sessions. 

Talk Therapy

DBT therapy is a talk therapy strategy. During your sessions, you will interact with your therapist, talking about your emotions and working through any challenges you may be dealing with. You will explore the interactions between your beliefs and expectations and your outcomes, including how they may impact your overall mental health. Your therapist will also provide you with coping techniques related to the core pillars of DBT. Online DBT therapy sessions may focus on learning to be more mindful of your emotions, including taking stock of what triggered specific emotions, as well as learning how to communicate more effectively, how to manage stress, and how to regulate your emotions at the moment. These strategies are essential to successfully overcoming challenges through online dialectical behavior therapy.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is an important component of online DBT therapy. During your group therapy sessions, you will have the chance to interact with others who are dealing with the same struggles you are and practice the skills you have learned during your talk therapy sessions. 

Online DBT Therapy Near You

Finding the right therapist can make a big difference in your mental health and ultimate outcomes. If you’re looking for a dialectical behavioral therapist in Plymouth, MN, reach out to MHS to learn more about your options for online treatment.

 

Image credit: blurryme, shutterstock