EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and subsequent approach to treatment, was developed by Marsha Linehan in 1991. The goals of treatment include reducing self-injuring and life-threatening behaviors, and therapy interfering and quality of life interfering behaviors while increasing behavioral skills.

DBT is an approach found effective in treating those with complex, difficult-to-treat mental disorders. Therapeutic targets include increasing interpersonal skills, developing more effective self-regulation, and improving distress tolerance. Included in DBT is the concept of mindfulness practices that move clients toward control of their thinking and use of the “wise mind.” The fundamental dialect in DBT is between validation and acceptance of clients as they are within the context of helping them change.

DBT is a method of teaching skills that can help, including:

  • Interpersonal effectiveness

  • Distress tolerance

  • Reality acceptance

  • Emotion regulation

  • Mindfulness

DBT helps those who have personal and environmental factors that often block and/or inhibit the use of behavioral skills that reinforce dysfunctional behaviors.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Woman sitting reading a large book

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a here-and-now approach focusing on the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It involves a practical-skills approach that enables clients to tackle their problems by harnessing their own resources. The main goal of CBT is the development and utilization of skills in the context of effectiveness in the treatment of common mental health problems such as anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, panic, phobias, depression, etc. (Beck, A. 1997.)

What is Trauma-Informed Care?

Trauma-informed care takes into consideration a individuals’s history and traumatic events they may have witnessed or experienced, and helps them heal. A traumatic event could involve violence, crime, disaster, neglect, or abuse. Being bullied at school, having parents go through a divorce, or experiencing the loss of a loved one can also be traumatic for individuals. Trauma can impact an individual’s health and actions and can lead to substance use, negative behavior, mental health problems, relationship issues, and other health concerns.

Our supportive, compassionate counselors and therapists are sensitive to our patients’ histories and traumas. Their goal is to provide care without further traumatizing individual’s during treatment.