Many people need treatment for a variety of addictions and mental health disorders. Because of the unique needs of these people, several modalities have been developed to help people overcome their struggles. One of these modalities is DBT. While DBT is available from many treatment providers, some people may find that seeking Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in Thailand may be their best chance at recovery.
What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy or DBT?
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, is a form of treatment focused on helping patients develop skills in four key modules: core mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT is based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT and was originally developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder. However, it has since proven adaptable and can be used to treat a variety of mental and behavioural health concerns, including substance use, post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, and others.
DBT focuses on the dual concepts of balance and change. Patients are taught to accept themselves as they are while also working towards getting better and improving their behaviour. It also combines the practices of CBT with mindfulness and acceptance.
DBT in Thailand
The four modules of DBT can be important to a person’s growth and recovery from concerns such as substance abuse, behavioural addiction, and mental health troubles. Mindfulness can help people be more grounded in the present moment. By being more mindful, a person can experience the present without judgement. This skill can be incredibly vital for addiction recovery, as it can help a person feel their cravings without acting on them. Distress tolerance is a skill that can help a person get through hard times or distressing situations without becoming overwhelmed by their emotions. In recovery, this can be vital for assisting people to get through periods of difficulty without turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Interpersonal effectiveness can be an important skill for managing relationships. It can help a person communicate their needs and enforce their boundaries. This skill can also help a person with repairing relationships, which can be a boon to many as personal relationships can often be strained by addiction and mental health struggles. Emotional regulation can also be an important skill in recovery. It can teach people to manage intense emotions and ride them out without turning to unhealthy behaviour to cope. DBT can be used in both group and individual therapy sessions.
Why Come to Thailand for Treatment
While there are various forms of talk therapy available from licensed practitioners in Australia, there are still a number of reasons to come to Chiang Mai for treatment. Some of these reasons include:
Cost Efficiency
Rehab in Australia can be rather expensive, especially if it is a luxury treatment centre. Coming to us can mean accessing the same level of care and luxury as a private rehab facility but at a more accessible rate.
Queer Friendly
Thailand is one of the most queer-friendly countries in Asia and was the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise same-sex marriages. In keeping with this high level of tolerance for the region, our treatment centre is as welcoming to members of the LGBT community as it is to anyone else.
Distance from Triggers
A benefit of coming to Chiang Mai for treatment is that it can distance a patient from the circumstances that may contribute to their difficulties. This can help them get the space that they need, so they can focus on their treatment programme.
Privacy
Some people would rather not let it be known in their communities that they are struggling with substance use or mental health troubles. As such, they will want discretion when seeking treatment. The distance between Thailand and Australia can help secure a person’s privacy.
Isolation from Enablers
Similarly, the distance between Thailand and Australia can also help isolate a person from their triggers. This can give them the space they need to reflect on their struggles and resolve to recover.
Staff Members in Recovery
Some of the members of our treatment team are in recovery. This means that they understand the struggles that our guests are going through. This is because they have been through those struggles themselves.
What We Use DBT to Treat
DBT can be used to treat some concerns. Some of the problems that this form of psychotherapy can be used to address include:
Substance Addiction
The skills used in DBT can be vital for helping a person overcome substance use. Furthermore, they can also be applicable in preventing relapse. The skills that are emphasised in DBT can be essential for helping a person get and stay sober.
Process Addiction
Process addictions are similar to substance addictions in that a person has a compulsion that they cannot control, the difference being that with process addictions, a person is compelled to act in a specific way instead of consuming a certain substance. Because of this, DBT can be used to treat process addiction in a manner similar to how it treats substance addiction.
Mental Health Disorders
DBT can help a person accept their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Moreover, it teaches them the skills they need to change them.
Other Treatment Modalities That We Use
DBT is one of the modalities we use in individual and group therapy. Some of the other modalities that our therapists will use in treatment include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a form of treatment that aims to help people change thoughts and feelings, also known as cognitive distortions, that may contribute to unhealthy behaviours.
Eye Movement adn reprocessing Desensitisation (EMD)
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, EMDR, is a form of therapy that can be used to help a person overcome trauma. It does this by using bilateral stimulation to replicate REM sleep and process traumatic memories.
Motivational interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing is a form of treatment that can be used when a patient has mixed feelings about their recovery. It is focused on exploring and addressing any ambivalence a patient may have, thus helping them develop their motivation to work toward recovery.