How Long Does DBT Take? A Quick Guide

Did you know that according to DSM-5, substance abuse is considered a mental disorder that falls under the category of substance-related and addictive disorders? DBT for addiction focuses on behavior change, teaching coping mechanisms for emotions. It also helps in reshaping self-perception and attitudes toward addiction. An effective DBT therapy may take 6 to 12 months.  

In this article, we will discuss: 

1. the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for addiction
2. how long does DBT take
3. how long are DBT sessions

ChoicePoint is a co-occurring addiction treatment center in Fairlawn, New Jersey that offers outpatient DBT and online DBT therapy sessions. Call 844.445.2565 now for more information, or fill out this form, and our representative will contact you.  

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Question of the Hour- How Long Does DBT Take?

If you are an individual suffering from co-occurring disorders, you must be thinking about beginning DBT. This means you are curious about how long DBT therapy is. Well typically, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy spans around 24 weeks, with weekly sessions. However, some patients may require more sessions based on severity and circumstances. It begins with an initial assessment where a non-judgmental therapist understands the individual’s current challenges. Then, over 6-12 months, participants will focus on modules like mindfulness and emotion regulation.

How Long Does Online DBT Therapy Sessions Take?

Individual DBT therapy online sessions run 45-60 minutes and focus on reaching personalized goals. In addition to sessions, patients will be encouraged to accomplish chores at home, which are considered opportunities to improve new coping abilities. Doctors customize the therapy to the patient’s comfort level, recognizing individual differences.

4 Common Stages of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT effectively tackles substance abuse and disrupts negative behavioral patterns, offering holistic mental health support. DBT does so by;

• Regulating emotions
• Developing life-skills
• Accepting overwhelming feelings
• Managing urges

A typical course of DBT treatment can last anywhere from a few months to a year or longer. The length of treatment depends on the patient’s needs and goals. DBT programs are divided into different stages:

Stage 1: Regulating Emotions

At this stage, the main focus is teaching patients core mindfulness and distress tolerance skills. It may take 3-6 months to complete this initial stage, depending on the patient’s needs. Patients attend weekly individual and group therapy sessions to learn new skills.

Stage 2: Developing Life-skills

In this stage, patients continue to build on the skills learned in stage 1. The focus shifts more towards addressing trauma and self-image issues. This stage usually lasts around six months and consists of weekly sessions.

Stage 3: Accepting Overwhelming Feelings

The goal at this point is to help patients generalize the skills they’ve learned to all areas of life. Sessions may decrease to every other week or monthly. This stage aims to reinforce a patient’s strengths and support their transition to independence. This stage may take 6 months or longer.

Stage 4: Managing Urges

For some patients, stage 4 involves intermittent DBT sessions or phone coaching to prevent relapse of symptoms. Others may no longer need ongoing treatment at this point.

Do you find yourself turning to illicit substances to deal with anger, depression, or sadness? That means you are suffering from co-occurring disorders. Contact ChoicePoint’s DEA-certified team of practitioners and begin DBT now! 

Online DBT Training Proves Effective for Dual Disorders

Factors That Impact How Long is DBT Therapy

While DBT is generally an effective treatment to help patients overcome substance abuse, certain factors may prolong or shorten the treatment time. These factors include;

• Severity of symptoms
• Addiction history
• Motivation and will-power
• Environment or triggers 

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

Effectiveness of DBT Therapy For Substance Abuse

According to a report on substance abuse, more than 20 million American adults require medical attention due to substance abuse. Of this number, only 3 million received adequate treatment.  DBT empowers individuals suffering from substance abuse to take control of their lives and maintain sobriety over the long term. Following are some reasons that make DBT an effective treatment for substance abuse;

DBT Develops Emotional Management

People struggling with Dual Diagnosis often use substances to cope with intense emotions or escape distress. DBT teaches skills to manage emotions healthily, reducing the need for substances. Patients are taught strategies like picturing emotions as waves that eventually pass, relaxing muscle tension, and distracting themselves from distressing situations. 

DBT Develops Tolerance

Many patients struggling with addiction relapse during times of stress or after finishing a treatment program due to withdrawals. DBT tackles this problem by teaching patients to endure discomfort without giving in to cravings. It does so by teaching patients acceptance of unpleasant events and emotions, including cravings and withdrawals. Patients are taught to tolerate rather than react.

DBT Prompts Patients to Repair Broken Relationships 

People with a substance abuse disorder often have strained relationships. Through DBT, patients learn to recognize and channel their emotions before reacting negatively. This way, patients can reconnect with loved ones and handle conflicts maturely.

Exploring the Many Ways You Can Receive DBT Therapy Near You 

Now that we have covered how long is dbt therapy, let’s dive into how an individual may receive it. DBT is a therapeutic experience, and here are ways you may achieve that: 

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is the way to go if you want a treatment plan tailored to your exact needs and condition. 

• The one-on-one setting allows the therapist to assess the patient’s addiction history and needs thoroughly. 
• Private sessions provide a safe space for patients to open up about sensitive issues that may be difficult to discuss in a group. 
• Patients may also benefit from having direct access to their therapist in crisis cases.
• This level of support can prevent relapse or destructive behaviors in vulnerable moments. 

Group Therapy

Group DBT therapy allows members to learn core DBT skills collaboratively. 

• It allows patients to share their experiences and practice skills with other peers.
• Groups enable members to apply skills learned in therapy to real-life situations. 
• Peers also increase motivation and consistency by creating a support network that patients can rely on during difficult times. 

Online Therapy 

Online DBT is an excellent option for those unable to attend in-person sessions. 

• People in remote areas or who cannot make time can conveniently receive DBT online. 
• Some patients even find it easier to open up about sensitive topics online rather than in person or in a group setting.

Read this article or call us now to get help starting an online therapy session.

How Long Does DBT Take?- Bottom Line 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has proven to be an effective treatment for helping individuals overcome substance abuse. It provides skills to manage difficult emotions, increase tolerance, and repair broken relationships. As for how long does DBT take? While DBT treatment can take anywhere from 3 months to a year or longer, depending on the needs of the individual, it helps create lasting change by targeting the root causes of addiction. 

Regardless of all the amazing benefits, DBT alone may not be sufficient to treat addiction in most cases. After professional consultation, the best results are obtained by combining DBT with FDA-approved medications. DBT programs are also covered by insurance in NJ; call us at 844.445.2565 for more information and start your journey towards a sober life.

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Question Bank

Frequently asked questions from our patients;

Can You Benefit from DBT Therapy?

Yes, if you are suffering from any of the following, you may greatly benefit from DBT:

• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Eating disorders
• Self-harm or self-injurious behaviors
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Substance use disorders (SUD)
• Alcohol use disorder (AUD)

What is the 24-hour Rule in DBT Therapy?

The 24-hour rule in DBT means that if there’s a suicide attempt or self-injury, therapists won’t offer coaching or between-session calls for the following 24 hours. The aim is to encourage individuals to wait 24 hours before responding impulsively to intense emotions. This provides time for thoughtful consideration and skillful response.

How Many Hours a Week is DBT?

It takes approximately 2.5 hours and 24 weeks to complete sessions. 

Can I Do DBT on My Own?

Doing DBT on your own is hard, and it may not work as well as attending sessions with trained therapists because DBT can be overwhelming, especially when you’re starting.

How to Succeed in DBT

A patient may succeed in DBT by consistently attending and participating actively. Moreover, it also requires openness to learning and applying new coping skills in collaboration with a trained DBT counselor.