Finding the perfect therapy solution for your addiction recovery or mental health needs can seem daunting. At Seven Arrows Recovery, we pride ourselves on offering highly effective therapies grounded in scientific research. DBT, or dialectical behavioral therapy, has enabled thousands of people to make powerful, life-changing progress in their recovery. If you or a loved one is considering DBT as part of your treatment plan, read below to learn what to expect during DBT sessions.
DBT is much more than talk therapy. It’s a concrete, supportive, and effective form of therapy that can allow you to work through powerful emotions, learn to foster healthier relationships, and take control of your addiction triggers. If you’re wondering how DBT can help you or your addicted loved one, it’s important to understand exactly how DBT works.
Below, we’ll cover DBT therapy sessions, what to expect during DBT sessions, and how this form of treatment can work.
How Does DBT Work?
DBT was originally created to help those struggling with borderline personality disorder. Since then, it has been used to help people work through many other issues such as addiction, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. DBT focuses on both acceptance and change.
At its core, DBT helps individuals embrace two key truths:
- Acceptance of one’s emotions and circumstances as they are.
- The possibility of positive change through learning new skills and perspectives.
DBT and addiction treatment are undeniably intertwined, as many individuals struggling with addiction experience overwhelming emotions that lead them to turn to substances for relief. DBT teaches practical tools to cope with these emotions in healthier, more sustainable ways. The therapy focuses on four main skill areas:
- Mindfulness: Learning how to stay present in the moment without judgment.
- Distress Tolerance: Building strategies to cope with crisis situations without resorting to harmful behaviors.
- Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing powerful emotions that can feel overwhelming.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Enhancing communication and relationships, with an emphasis on establishing boundaries and advocating for oneself.
What to Expect During DBT Therapy Sessions
Going to therapy can be scary, especially if you aren’t sure what to expect. At Seven Arrows Recovery, we understand that anxiety is why we wanted to walk you through what you can expect when you come in for your first DBT therapy session:
1. Personalized Goal-Setting
Your therapist will first work with you to identify the issues you want to work on and what you hope to get out of therapy. Whether you need help managing intense emotions, recovering from addiction, or learning how to build better relationships, we will tailor your treatment specifically to you and your goals. We’ll also discuss how your DBT treatment will complement other forms of treatment, such as addiction programs, trauma-informed therapy, and holistic therapies.
2. Clearly Laid-Out Sessions
DBT sessions follow a specific structure that may feel reassuring to know there is a plan in place to help you heal. Each session will typically involve discussing situations you encountered during the week, learning skills, and identifying strategies you can use when similar situations arise in the future.
During individual DBT therapy, you’ll meet one-on-one with your therapist to discuss your emotions, identify thought patterns, and learn how to build your own coping skills.
Many people benefit from both individual DBT and DBT group therapy. Group therapy can allow you to learn skills in a supportive environment, learn from your peers, and gain knowledge from others who are going through similar experiences.
3. Providing a Safe Space
Your therapist will provide a safe space for you to process anything that is on your mind. They are there to help you through every step of your therapy journey. During your DBT sessions, you aren’t being told you need to change who you are. Your therapist will help you identify the skills you already have and give you the tools to navigate life.
4. Skills-Based Focus
A significant portion of your DBT therapy sessions will be focused on gaining real-world skills to help you better manage your life. Each session will focus on one of the four different DBT skill sets (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness). Whether you need to learn how to better cope with triggers that affect your recovery or talk to your loved ones about your disorder, DBT will provide you with the skills to handle real-life situations.
5. Relapse Prevention
If you are using DBT to treat addiction, you will also learn about relapse prevention. Relapse prevention includes identifying why you have cravings, creating your toolkit to overcome your cravings, and empowering your ability to choose recovery.
6. Support Between Sessions
Between your DBT therapy sessions, you will likely have “homework” to complete. This can include exercises to help you work through certain issues when you are not in therapy. You will also have access to our compassionate staff if you need someone to help guide you in using your new skills in real time.
The Road to Healing: DBT and Sobriety
There is no “quick fix” for addiction or mental health challenges, but DBT offers a path that is both empowering and transformative. Through this structured yet compassionate approach, many individuals learn how to reclaim their lives, build better relationships, and approach recovery armed with tools that foster resilience.
Research supports the effectiveness of DBT in addiction treatment. Studies show that DBT greatly reduces the likelihood of relapse by improving emotion regulation skills and increasing the ability to resist triggers. For example, a review published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found that individuals who completed DBT programs had significantly improved overall coping abilities, supporting long-term sobriety success (source).
Why Seven Arrows Recovery for DBT Therapy?
At Seven Arrows Recovery, we approach DBT with one goal in mind: supporting your full recovery, mind, body, and spirit. Our DBT therapy sessions are integrated into a holistic program designed to meet your individual needs.
Here’s why Seven Arrows is the right place for healing:
- Personalized Care: No two journeys are the same, and at Seven Arrows, every client’s treatment plan is uniquely designed based on their goals, triggers, and circumstances.
- Experienced Clinicians: Our team is trained in delivering DBT with compassion and evidence-based precision.
- Holistic Focus: Beyond DBT, we provide complementary therapies that nurture your emotional, mental, and physical health.
- Supportive Community: We are more than just a treatment center—we’re a community that empowers individuals to heal and thrive in recovery.
Start Your Journey Toward Balanced Living Today
Recovery is more than healing from addiction. It’s about creating a life that allows you to prosper in every way—and DBT can help you build that foundation for a life of balance. At Seven Arrows Recovery, we want to be with you every step of the way.
Perhaps you’ve been browsing “DBT therapy sessions” and are ready to learn more about DBT. If so, don’t wait another moment to start your journey toward emotional balance, strengthened recovery, and newfound hope. Let Seven Arrows Recovery guide you, and give you the tools you need to live a life of balance. Call or contact us today.
