Our Services / Dialectical Behavior Therapy

What is DBT?

DBT is a type of psychotherapy that enables you to identify and change negative or harmful emotions and thoughts and establish positive behavioral changes. 

DBT is based on the philosophy of holding two opposite ideas — such as acceptance and change — in your mind at the same time. The therapy includes multiple parts:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Phone coaching for crises between sessions

Dr. Kaufman also assigns homework between sessions. 

What conditions improve with DBT?

DBT was initially developed to treat suicidal ideation and borderline personality disorder. Today, psychologists like Dr. Kaufman use DBT principles to treat:

• Depression
• Substance abuse
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• High or uncontrollable irritability
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Emotional and behavioral dysregulation
• Bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders

Dr. Kaufman might combine elements of DBT with other therapeutic approaches to create a customized psychotherapy program that addresses your specific needs. 

How do I know if DBT is right for me?

Dr. Kaufman provides a thorough evaluation of your mental and emotional health before recommending a therapeutic approach. During your assessment, he asks various questions to increase his understanding of your condition and needs.

If Dr. Kaufman thinks that DBT can help you, he explains the treatment protocols and what to expect. He answers your questions thoroughly to help you understand DBT and how it works. 

What should I expect during DBT?

DBT includes a series of sequential lessons that help you develop a dialectic of acceptance and change. During your individual and group sessions, you focus on different modules, including mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. 

Your individual sessions allow you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with Dr. Kaufman. Your group sessions focus on skills development. You also have homework to track your emotions and behaviors while you practice new skills. If you are searching for Dialectical behavioral therapy near me contact us.

A DBT program usually takes around a year, but Dr. Kaufman customizes your plan to meet your individual needs. 

Additionally, while the goal is to help you develop new skills to use during your daily life, the end of your program doesn’t necessarily mean that your time with Dr. Kaufman is over. You can continue to see Dr. Kaufman for psychotherapy sessions if you choose. 

Call FamilyTime Centers or make an appointment online today to learn more about our DBT center Los Angeles and how we can help you.