The Four Stages of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy or DBT is affirmation-based psychotherapy that treats personality disorders and interpersonal conflicts. It is one of the most effective forms of therapy where people are taught two seemingly poles apart strategies: acceptance and change, which are further combined with mindfulness, acceptance, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation strategies. The fundamental objective of the DBT program is to train individuals on developing healthy stress-coping mechanisms, a living-in-the-moment approach, and thoughts regulation to improve their relationship with others.
Dialectical behavior therapy program is typically divided into four stages of treatment to effectively heal the patients. These stages are established based on the severity of the patient’s behaviors. The four stages are:
Stage 1: Behavior management
During the initial stage of the recovery treatment program, patients suffering from mental health disorders often experience disorderly behavioral symptoms. Such feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and depression often lead individuals to self-harm or engage in other destructive behaviors by consuming drugs or alcohol. Hence, the primary objective of DBT in stage 1 is to allow the patients to move forward by acquiring behavioral control.
Stage 2: Healing of emotional and mental state
In stage 2 of DBT, most patients began to gather control over their behavior yet continue to suffer in silence. This can often lead patients to suffer from post-traumatic or other severe disorders because while their behavior improves, their emotional and mental state is still inhibited. Hence, the second stage of DBT focuses on making patients step out into an emotionally healthy space from their quiet desperation. Here, the individuals begin to heal their emotional wounds caused by post-traumas.
Stage 3: Moving towards healthy living
While progressing towards the third stage of the DBT treatment program, patients commence their path to healthy living. By this stage, they attain the strength to control their emotional and behavioral patterns and start learning effective ways to lead a healthy lifestyle. The program empowers individuals to set their goals, build self-respect, and seek happiness. Here, the objective is to boost the patient’s morale to live an everyday life while strengthening their coping mechanisms to prevent relapse.
Stage 4: Connection with the inner self
Once the patients commence their healthy living, they also become mentally empowered to find deeper meaning through a spiritual existence. Most individuals suffering from emotional distress often seek spiritual fulfillment to meet their life goals. Hence, during stage four, patients attain a sense of connection with their inner consciousness, further obtaining the capacity to experience joy and freedom.
About us
Look no further than Inner Space if you are looking for an effective solution to mental health problems for you or your loved ones. We are an intensive outpatient program based in Houston, Texas, offering in-person and virtual programs to heal patients suffering from past trauma while rebalancing their nervous system. Our team of exceptional psychiatrists and therapists specialize in treating anxiety disorders, ADHD, other learning disorders, and several other addictions while providing you with personalized mental healthcare treatment.
To know more, call us at (877) 466-3701 or write to us at info@innerspacehouston.com. To book an assessment, fill out the contact form.