Dialectical Behavior Therapy in New Jersey

The History and Power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

From Its Origins to Its Role in Modern Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

A Brief History of DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Dr. Marsha M. Linehan at the University of Washington. Originally created to treat Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)—a condition marked by intense emotional instability, impulsivity, self-harm, and troubled relationships—DBT emerged in response to the limitations of traditional therapies for those struggling with emotional dysregulation.

Linehan’s own experiences with mental health challenges fueled her passion for designing a more compassionate and effective treatment. She recognized the need for a therapy that could balance acceptance and change—two often opposing forces in recovery.

Drawing from mindfulness, behavioral psychology, and cognitive therapy, Linehan created DBT as a skills-based, evidence-supported approach to help individuals regulate emotions, manage crises, and build healthier relationships. Her groundbreaking 1993 manual, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, paved the way for DBT’s expansion into treating substance use disorders, PTSD, depression, and more.

How DBT Works

Balancing Emotions, Behavior, and Relationships

At its core, DBT is built for individuals who struggle with emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and destructive behaviors—many of which underlie addiction and mental health issues.

DBT is delivered through a combination of:

• Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions focus on identifying triggers, restructuring thoughts, and developing coping strategies

• Group Skills Training: Clients learn and practice essential skills with peers in a therapist-guided setting

• Phone Coaching (in some programs): On-call support for applying skills in real-world situations

Core Strategies in DBT:

• Helping clients eliminate triggers such as paraphernalia or toxic relationships

• Encouraging healthy peer support networks

• Building self-esteem and confidence for long-term recovery

The Four Core DBT Skill Modules

Each DBT skill module is designed to address a key area of emotional functioning:

1. Mindfulness – Cultivating present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental observation of thoughts and feelings

2. Distress Tolerance – Learning to endure pain or stress without resorting to impulsive or destructive behaviors

3. Emotion Regulation – Recognizing and managing intense emotions in healthy ways

4. Interpersonal Effectiveness – Improving communication, setting boundaries, and navigating relationships constructively

Group sessions reinforce these skills through guided exercises, peer discussions, and real-life applications, creating a dynamic, supportive learning environment.

What DBT Therapy Aims to Achieve

Supporting Lasting Recovery and Emotional Stability

DBT is particularly effective for individuals in addiction treatment because it targets the emotional triggers and behavioral patterns that fuel substance use.

DBT Helps Individuals:

• Regulate intense emotions to reduce emotional reactivity and impulsive behavior

• Practice mindfulness to stay grounded, avoid dissociation, and manage cravings

• Build distress tolerance to handle pain, loss, or crisis without turning to substances

• Improve relationships through assertiveness and boundary-setting

• Develop dialectical thinking, balancing acceptance of what is with motivation to change

• Break self-destructive cycles and replace them with healthy, goal-oriented actions

• Form strong therapeutic alliances that support vulnerability and growth

• Reinforce skills in daily life, helping individuals manage real-world stressors and prevent relapse

DBT at Redemption Treatment Centers

Real Skills. Real Support. Real Results.

At Redemption Treatment Centers, we use DBT as a powerful therapeutic tool in both our addiction recovery and mental health programs. Clients receive personalized DBT treatment plans that combine individual counseling, skills training groups, and peer support to promote lasting change.

Whether you're coping with substance use, trauma, depression, or emotional instability, DBT offers a structured path to reclaiming your life—one skill, one insight, and one choice at a time.

📞 Call us today at (855) 718-6286 to learn how DBT can support your journey to emotional and behavioral wellness.