Building Emotional Resilience, One Skill at a Time
At Lanier Recovery Center, we offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as part of our comprehensive outpatient treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions. DBT is a research-backed therapy designed to help individuals regulate intense emotions, reduce impulsive behavior, and develop healthier relationships. Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has since evolved into a highly effective model for treating substance use, trauma, and mood disorders.
We use DBT across all levels of outpatient care—PHP, IOP, and OP—to equip clients with the tools they need to manage stress, improve communication, and build long-term emotional stability. At Lanier Recovery Center, DBT is delivered by experienced clinicians who combine structure, compassion, and skill-building to support lasting recovery.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
DBT is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that emphasizes two core principles: acceptance and change. The term “dialectical” refers to the balance between opposing ideas—such as validating where someone is emotionally while helping them take actionable steps toward change.
DBT teaches clients how to manage powerful emotions and cope with distress in ways that are mindful, safe, and effective. It focuses on building four key skill areas:
-
Mindfulness: Staying present and aware without judgment
-
Distress Tolerance: Coping with crisis without resorting to harmful behavior
-
Emotion Regulation: Understanding, naming, and managing intense feelings
-
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Communicating clearly while respecting self and others
These skills help clients navigate the ups and downs of recovery and everyday life with greater confidence and control.
DBT in Our Outpatient Programs
We integrate DBT principles into our clinical approach at every level of outpatient care.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): DBT is a key focus of our PHP program, delivered through daily group sessions and weekly one-on-one therapy. Clients learn new skills and immediately apply them in a supportive, structured environment.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): In IOP, DBT sessions are held multiple times per week, blending individual therapy, group work, and skills coaching. Clients build emotional regulation tools while maintaining work or school responsibilities.
Outpatient Program (OP): OP clients continue to practice DBT techniques through ongoing therapy and support, reinforcing the skills they’ve already built and applying them to real-world challenges.
Our therapists don’t simply teach DBT—they model the skills in every interaction, helping clients feel understood, supported, and empowered.
Who Benefits from DBT in Addiction Recovery?
DBT is particularly effective for individuals who:
-
Feel emotionally overwhelmed or reactive
-
Have difficulty managing stress, anger, or sadness
-
Experience intense mood swings or impulsive behaviors
-
Struggle with self-harm or suicidal thoughts
-
Feel isolated or unable to connect with others
-
Have experienced trauma or unstable relationships
-
Use substances to cope with painful emotions
By learning to tolerate distress and regulate emotions in healthier ways, clients become less vulnerable to relapse and better equipped for long-term success.
Why DBT Is Effective for Substance Use Treatment
Addiction often stems from the attempt to escape or numb emotional pain. DBT helps clients develop alternative ways to manage pain without turning to substances. It’s particularly helpful for managing:
-
Triggers related to emotional discomfort
-
Urges and cravings
-
Relationship conflict and communication issues
-
Feelings of shame, guilt, or self-doubt
-
Reactions to trauma and loss
Through DBT, clients learn to respond—not react—to life’s challenges. This emotional stability supports better decision-making and reduces the likelihood of relapse.
DBT in Action: What Clients Learn
During DBT sessions at Lanier Recovery Center, clients learn:
-
How to sit with distress without acting on it
-
How to recognize emotional patterns and break the cycle of impulsivity
-
How to use grounding techniques to stay present in the moment
-
How to ask for what they need without guilt or fear
-
How to set and maintain healthy boundaries
-
How to radically accept what can’t be controlled and focus energy on what can
Clients often report a sense of empowerment and freedom after learning DBT—many say it’s the first time they’ve felt emotionally equipped to handle life without substances.
What Makes DBT at Lanier Recovery Center Unique?
We don’t offer cookie-cutter therapy. Our licensed clinicians tailor DBT to each client’s unique needs and background, taking into account trauma history, co-occurring mental health issues, and learning style.
Our DBT program includes:
-
Licensed therapists trained in DBT and addiction treatment
-
Personalized care plans built around the client’s goals
-
A safe, non-judgmental environment where clients are seen and heard
-
Integration with other evidence-based therapies including CBT and trauma-informed care
-
Structured programming with flexibility for real-life application
Because DBT involves both acceptance and change, we guide clients with compassion—while holding them accountable to the progress they’re capable of making.
Common Questions About DBT
Is DBT only for people with severe mental illness?
Not at all. DBT is highly effective for anyone who struggles with emotional regulation, relationship issues, or impulsive behaviors—including those dealing with addiction, anxiety, or past trauma.
How long does DBT take?
DBT can be effective in both short-term and long-term formats. At Lanier Recovery Center, DBT is integrated throughout our PHP, IOP, and OP levels of care and adjusted based on each client’s progress.
Is DBT the same as CBT?
DBT is based on CBT but includes additional components like mindfulness, emotional acceptance, and interpersonal skill-building. While CBT focuses on changing thoughts, DBT balances change with acceptance.
What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t work?
Many clients who felt unsuccessful in previous treatment find DBT to be a turning point. Its structured, skill-based format provides tools that are immediately applicable—and our therapists offer support every step of the way.
Begin DBT Therapy in Atlanta Today
If you’re looking for DBT therapy in Atlanta as part of a structured, supportive recovery program, Lanier Recovery Center is ready to help. Whether you’re new to treatment or continuing your recovery, our team will meet you where you are—with professionalism, empathy, and a plan that works.
Call us today or fill out our confidential contact form to learn more about DBT and how it fits into your healing journey.
