Comprehensive DBT

Tulsa DBT proudly offers a comprehensive Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT) treatment to both adults and adolescents. Comprehensive DBT is considered Stage 1 of DBT treatment with a focus on gaining behavioral control.

Who is comprehensive DBT for?

Comprehensive DBT is intended for individuals struggling with instability of:

Emotions – intense emotions that can last for hours or a few, rapid changes in mood

Behaviors – maladaptive behavior aimed at regulating emotions, can include self-harm, substance use, suicide attempts, binging, etc.

Relationships – unstable relationships, frequent conflict with others

Thoughts – ‘black and white’ thinking, dissociation, paranoia, etc.

What to expect

Following the comprehensive assessment at our first appointment, we will have a few individual sessions (this is the pre-treatment stage) prior to beginning the treatment stage. The pre-treatment stage functions to orient you to treatment, increase your commitment and to identify treatment targets.

After pre-treatment, we will begin the treatment phase. Comprehensive DBT requires all four modes of treatment:

1. Individual therapy weekly
2. Skills training weekly – typically done in a group format, but more like a class than traditional group therapy
3. Phone coaching – between-session phone contact to help with using the skills in real-life situations or in crisis situations
4. Therapy consultation team – your DBT therapist must participate in a consultation team of other DBT therapists to ensure they are providing the most effective treatment possible

Treatment is done in six-month increments because it takes six months to get through one ‘round’ of skills training. Usually, most people go two rounds for a full year of treatment, but we’ll re-assess your needs after the first six months and decide if further treatment is necessary.

What treatment looks like

In comprehensive DBT, you will have two appointments each week – one individual session and one skills training session – for the duration of treatment. Between sessions, you are encouraged to contact me for phone coaching, so that I can help you try new skills and behaviors when you need it the most.

You will also have regular homework assignments to practice the skills. This is the most effective way to learn the skills and is necessary for the treatment. You will also monitor emotions and target behaviors every week with a ‘diary card.’ We will use the information on the diary card to structure individual sessions.

Two sessions every week and homework??

I realize that sounds like a lot, but it only takes about 3-4 hours total (including time in session) each week for most people. One of the reasons DBT is so effective is because it is an intensive treatment.

What can I expect after completing comprehensive DBT?

You can expect a reduction in suicide attempts, self-injury, suicidal ideation, psychiatric hospitalizations, hopelessness and anger while improving social adjustment and general functioning. You can also expect a reduction in co-occurring substance use disorders, major depressive disorders, PTSD and eating disorders. Many of my former clients succeeded in TOTAL elimination of these behaviors!