Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Atlanta, Georgia

Imagine navigating life’s challenges feeling like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster, where intense feelings of sadness, anger, or anxiety can overwhelm you at any moment. For many, this is a daily reality, especially for those grappling with mental health issues or substance abuse.

If you find yourself in this situation, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in Atlanta, Georgia, could be an effective treatment option to help manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and lead a more fulfilling life. It is essential to consider how dialectical behavior therapy can improve mental health, and it is available.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy that is effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse.

It is often used as a DBT treatment approach at Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery and can be an effective modality treatment option for recovery and mental health.

Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery: An Unbridled Approach to DBT

Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery offers a unique, comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment approach. Our philosophy, “An unbridled approach to freedom,” embodies our commitment to providing life-changing wellness and recovery services.

We foster a community where healing, growth, and unyielding support thrive.

At Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery, we understand that true and lasting change requires boldness, bravery, and authenticity—qualities symbolized by the thoroughbred.

Our dedicated team is committed to helping you harness these qualities, empowering you to confront life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.

While our brand features the iconic thoroughbred, it doesn’t mean you’ll work with horses unless you choose to. Our equine therapy program offers a powerful, experiential way to connect with your emotions and build trust.

Working with horses can provide unique insights into your behavior patterns and help you develop new coping skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Our evidence-based approaches include a range of therapeutic modalities, such as:

• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Family education
• Equine therapy
• Breathwork
• Trauma-focused care

One of the unique aspects of Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery is our commitment to creating a supportive and empowering environment.

As our Director of Clinical Services says, “Meet every person where they are at while encouraging change, ‘be firm in what you do and kind in how you do it.'”

We wholeheartedly believe in taking a non-shaming and non-judgmental approach, encouraging self-worth and self-empowerment, and paving the path to rediscovering your true and best self.

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what one of our clients had to say:

“This place saved my life. I came in broken and lost, and they helped me find my way back to myself. The staff is amazing, and the therapists truly care. I’m so grateful for Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery.”

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical behavior therapy combines standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques for emotion regulation and reality testing with concepts of Acceptance, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.

The term “dialectical” refers to integrating seemingly opposite ideas: Acceptance and change. Our DBT therapists work to help patients accept themselves and their current situations while also encouraging them to make positive changes in their lives.

Balance is achieved through four key modules:

• Mindfulness: the practice of being fully present in the moment, observing thoughts and feelings without judgment
• Distress Tolerance: coping skills to manage painful emotions and stressful situations without resorting to destructive behaviors
• Emotion Regulation: identifying, understanding, and changing intense emotional responses
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: skills training to communicate effectively and maintain healthy relationships

Our Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Atlanta, is a structured and goal-oriented treatment that typically involves weekly individual therapy, skills groups, and phone coaching with a DBT therapist. The length of treatment varies depending on the individual’s needs and goals but often lasts six months to a year.

The Core Principles of DBT: Beyond the Acronyms

While the four modules of DBT—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—are well-known, understanding the underlying principles can provide a deeper appreciation for the therapy’s transformative potential.

Here’s a closer look at these principles:

1. Radical Acceptance goes beyond simple Acceptance. It involves accepting your life as it is now, without judgment or resistance. Radical Acceptance doesn’t mean you approve of everything that has happened or give up on making changes. Instead, it acknowledges reality, which can be the first step toward moving forward.
2. Validation is recognizing and accepting your and others’ emotions, thoughts, and behaviors as understandable responses to life experiences. This principle is crucial in individual therapy, as it helps you feel heard, understood, and less alone in your struggles.
3. Behavioral Analysis: DBT emphasizes understanding the function of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. By examining the events that trigger certain behaviors and the consequences that follow, you can gain insight into why you act the way you do and identify opportunities for change.
4. Skills Generalization: Learning DBT skills is only the first step. The ultimate goal is to generalize these skills to real-life situations. Atlanta DBT therapists work with you to identify obstacles to skills generalization and develop strategies for overcoming them.
5. Dialectical Strategies: DBT incorporates various dialectical strategies to help you balance seemingly opposing viewpoints and find a middle ground. These strategies include:
   • Devil’s Advocate: Challenging your assumptions and beliefs to consider alternative perspectives.
   • Finding the Kernel of Truth: Identifying the valid or accurate aspects of others’ perspectives, even when you disagree with them.
   • Making Lemonade out of Lemons: Finding the positive aspects of difficult situations.
6. Commitment: DBT requires a strong commitment to the therapeutic process. This involves regularly attending sessions, completing homework assignments, and practicing DBT daily.
7. Therapist Support: DBT therapists are not just teachers or advisors but active participants in the therapeutic process. They provide ongoing support, guidance, and encouragement to help you achieve your goals.

By understanding and applying these core principles, you can unlock the full potential of DBT treatment in Atlanta and create lasting positive change in your life.

The DBT Skills Modules: A Deeper Dive

Let’s take a closer look at each of the four DBT skills modules and how they can help you improve your mental health and well-being:

1. Mindfulness: Embracing the Present Moment

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It involves observing your thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise without getting caught up in them. Mindfulness skills can help you:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Increase self-awareness
• Improve focus and concentration
• Enhance emotional regulation

Examples of mindfulness techniques include:

• Mindful Breathing: Focusing on your breath to anchor yourself in the present moment.
• Body Scan Meditation: Paying attention to physical sensations in your body, one area at a time.
• Mindful Walking: Noticing the sensations of your feet on the ground as you walk.
• Observing Emotions: Acknowledging and accepting your emotions without trying to change them.

2. Distress Tolerance: Navigating Difficult Emotions

Distress tolerance skills are designed to help you cope with painful emotions and stressful situations without resorting to destructive behaviors. These coping skills can be invaluable if you struggle with impulsivity, self-harm, or substance abuse.

Distress tolerance skills can help you:

• Manage intense emotions
• Reduce impulsivity
• Prevent relapse
• Increase your ability to cope with stress

Examples of distress tolerance skills include:

• Self-Soothing: Engaging in activities that provide comfort and relaxation, such as taking a warm bath, listening to music, or spending time in nature.
• IMPROVE the Moment: Using imagery, meaning, prayer, relaxation, one thing in the moment, and vacation to distract yourself from painful emotions.
• Radical Acceptance: Accepting your current situation without judgment or resistance.
• Crisis Survival Skills: Short-term strategies to help you overcome a difficult moment without worsening things.

3. Emotion Regulation: Mastering Your Feelings

Emotion regulation skills focus on helping you identify, understand, and change intense emotional responses. These skills can be beneficial if you experience frequent mood swings, difficulty managing anger, or overwhelming feelings of sadness or anxiety. Emotion regulation skills can help you:

• Increase emotional awareness
• Reduce emotional reactivity
• Increase positive emotions
• Decrease negative emotions

Examples of emotion regulation skills include:

• Identifying Emotions: Learning to recognize and label your emotions accurately.
• Understanding Emotions: Exploring the causes and functions of your emotions.
• Changing Emotional Responses: Using cognitive and behavioral techniques to modify emotional reactions.
• Accumulating Positive Emotions: Engaging in activities that bring you joy and pleasure.

4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: Building Healthy Relationships

Interpersonal effectiveness skills focus on helping you communicate effectively, assert your needs, and maintain healthy relationships. These skills can be invaluable if you struggle with social anxiety, difficulty setting boundaries, or a history of troubled relationships. Interpersonal effectiveness skills can help you:

• Improve communication skills
• Increase assertiveness
• Set healthy boundaries
• Resolve conflicts effectively

Examples of interpersonal effectiveness skills include:

• DEAR MAN: A strategy for making requests assertively and respectfully.
• GIVE: A strategy for maintaining relationships during conflict.
• FAST: A strategy for maintaining self-respect.
• Setting Boundaries: Communicating your limits and needs clearly and assertively.

Is DBT Right for You?

DBT can be a valuable treatment option for a wide range of individuals struggling with mental health issues, particularly those who:

• Experience intense emotions
• Struggle with impulsivity
• Have difficulty managing stress
• Have a history of troubled relationships
• Engage in self-harm or substance abuse

DBT is effective in treating conditions such as:

• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Trauma
• Substance Abuse
• Life Transitions

If you’re unsure whether DBT is right for you, it’s always a good idea to consult with a mental health professional. They can assess your needs and goals and help you determine the best course of treatment.

Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery: Your Partner in Recovery

At Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery, we are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to help you achieve lasting recovery and a life worth living. Our Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Atlanta is designed to help you develop the skills to manage your emotions, improve your relationships, and build a more fulfilling life.

Our team of experienced therapists includes LPCs, LMSWs, LCSWs, and NCCs who are passionate about helping individuals overcome their challenges and reach their full potential.

We offer individual therapy, skills groups, and phone coaching to provide comprehensive support throughout your recovery journey. We also use other interventions, such as EMDR and prolonged exposure.

We understand that seeking treatment can be difficult, but everyone deserves the opportunity to heal and thrive. If you’re ready to take the first step toward a brighter future, we’re here to help.

Take Control over Impulses

If you’re struggling with intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, or troubled relationships, DBT may be the answer you’ve been searching for. Thoroughbred Wellness and Recovery in Atlanta, GA, offers a comprehensive DBT program to help you develop the skills needed to lead a more fulfilling life.

Don’t let your struggles define you. Take the first step towards healing and contact us today at 770-564-4856 to learn more.