Oct 17, 2020

What to Expect in DBT Therapy at GenPsych

All of the GenPsych locations have comprehensive adherent or DBT informed programs. Read to learn about the DBT characteristics, skills modules, levels of care and more.

Characteristics of DBT

Support-oriented: It helps a person identify their strengths and builds on them so that the person can feel better about him/herself and their life.

Cognitive-based: DBT helps identify thoughts, beliefs and assumptions that make life harder: “I have to be perfect at everything. If I get angry, I’m a terrible person.” It helps people learn different ways of thinking that will make life more bearable.

Collaborative: In DBT people are encouraged to work out problems in their relationships with their therapist and the therapists to do the same with them.

Behavior-based: DBT asks people to complete homework assignments such as role-playing new ways of interacting with others, and to practice skills such as soothing yourself when upset. These skills, a crucial part of DBT, are taught in lectures, reviewed in homework groups, and referred to in nearly every group. The individual therapist helps the person to learn, apply, and master the DBT skills.