Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a type of talk therapy for people who experience their emotions in a very stressful way. This stress can make people develop different mental health difficulties and also with behavioral health problems. However, at our dialectical behavior therapy, we strive to help them cope and understand these problems to continue recovery. 

“Dialectical” means combining opposite ideas. In this case, DBT assists people in accepting the reality of their lives and behavior. They also help them change their unhelpful behaviors in the process. Lastly, therapists will work with clients in finding the best way to bring balance in their life toward acceptance and change. 

When people are dealing with substance abuse, it becomes hard to change their way of life. Especially for those who have heavy addictions. That kind of thinking is what DBT is here for. Abusing substances is not normal, but the brain might think it is. At this stage, it’s time to break out of this cycle. 

Our clients are never alone in this process. One person’s normal is not the same for someone else’s and clients can discover what therapy works for them. Therapists will guide them through the process of finding healing. Through our dialectical behavior therapy in Atlanta, they can heal to create the healthiest future possible.

How Does Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Work?

DBT helps you hold two things at once: accepting where you are right now, and working toward change. For people who struggle with controlling intense, negative emotions, DBT can provide the tools to cope healthily. Your therapist will teach you new skills to improve emotional regulation.1

You’ll practice these skills both in therapy and in your everyday life.1 Over time, you’ll learn healthy, more effective ways to manage emotions and respond to stressful situations.1 While the structure of DBT therapies can vary, this approach generally features these four types of sessions:

• DBT pre-assessment: Your therapist will offer an assessment to determine whether DBT is appropriate for your situation. If it is, you’ll start treatment for a specific duration.4
• Individual therapy: Weekly one-on-one DBT and SUD sessions focus on limiting unproductive behaviors, reaching your goals, learning new skills, and more.1
• Skills training in groups. You’ll learn emotional regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance skills in a group setting to strengthen your ability to manage daily life.1
• Telephone crisis coaching: If you have an immediate crisis or need advice, you can call your therapist for support in between sessions at specified times.1,6

Four Components of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

DBT involves four key components.1 Each component provides structured support to help you learn and apply new coping skills in therapy and daily life.1,4 Together, these four pieces make sure you’re not just learning skills in a vacuum — you’re getting support to actually use them:

• Individual therapy: You’ll learn to apply DBT skills to daily challenges in these weekly, individual sessions. Your therapist will encourage you to practice these skills when faced with everyday challenges.1
• Group skills training: These sessions provide a supportive space to actively practice the skills you learn in individual therapy with peers in recovery.1
• Phone coaching: Your therapist will provide as-needed phone coaching to support you in challenging situations and crises in between sessions.1,6
• Consultation team for therapists: Your therapist will have a weekly consultation team to help them find solutions, implement effective approaches in challenging situations, and support you the best way possible.1

Four Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills

The DBT approach is comprehensive and multidimensional.1 Research suggests DBT can be an effective way to address many of the emotional and behavioral factors that contribute to addiction, it relies on teaching new skills to support changing harmful thoughts and behaviors.1,4 Here are the four fundamental skills DBT emphasizes to achieve this goal:

• Mindfulness: A foundational element of DBT, you’ll learn about and practice staying present in the moment. By noticing the thoughts, feelings, sensations, and impulses happening inside, you can tune into your senses and surroundings without judgment. Mindfulness can help you slow down and use healthy coping skills in distressing times.1
• Emotional regulation: This strategy focuses on identifying, labeling, and shifting the negative impact of an emotional response. By recognizing and managing intense negative emotions, you can intentionally create an opposite action and have more positive emotional experiences.1
• Interpersonal effectiveness: You’ll work to heal, strengthen, and establish healthy relationship behaviors while ending destructive ones.3
• Distress tolerance: You’ll learn how to handle uncomfortable situations and accept negative emotions. Implementing techniques, such as self-soothing and distraction, can empower you to cope with intense emotions and crises more positively.1,3

Yes, insurance generally covers DBT therapy to some extent. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance companies to cover all essential health benefits, including mental health and SUD treatment. However, your level of coverage will depend on your specific insurance plan, provider network, deductibles, copays, and any prior authorization requirements.8

If you’re unsure whether your insurance covers DBT or other addiction treatment services, you can contact your insurance provider directly to learn more about your benefits. Alternatively, you can contact Empowered Recovery Center, and our admissions team will verify your insurance benefits over the phone at no cost. We’ll explain what your plan covers, answer your questions, and help you understand your treatment options so you can make an informed decision about your care.

If you or a loved one is interested in dialectical behavioral therapy for substance use, you can find the support you need at Empowered Recovery Center in Atlanta. Our premier facility offers personalized outpatient rehab programs, including partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and standard outpatient care. We’ll work with you to explore your options and find the right fit for your needs.

We’re here to answer any questions about going to rehab, including ways to cover the cost of rehab. Whether you’re using insurance for rehab or considering other payment options, we can help you get admitted to our rehab in Atlanta, Georgia. Contact Empowered Recovery Center to check your insurance and start your recovery journey.

References

1. Luk, J., & Thompson, M. (2024). Mapping Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills to Clinical Domains Implicated in Contemporary Addiction Research: A Conceptual Synthesis and Promise for Precision Medicine. Retrieved on May 11, 2026, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12334178/
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2025). Treatment. Retrieved on May 11, 2026, from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/treatment#psychotherapy
3. Gillespie, C., Murphy, M., Kells, M., & Flynn, D. (2022). Individuals who report having benefitted from dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT): A qualitative exploration of processes and experiences at long-term follow-up. Retrieved on May 11, 2026, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8885141/#Sec24
4. Dimeff, L., & Linehan, M. (2008). Dialectical behavior therapy for substance abusers. Retrieved on May 11, 2026, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2797106/
5. Oppenauer, C., Sprung, M., Gradl, S., & Burghardt, J. (2023). Dialectical behaviour therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (DBT-PTSD): transportability to everyday clinical care in a residential mental health centre. Retrieved on May 11, 2026, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9848310/
6. Oliveira, P. N., & Rizvi, S. L. (2018). Phone coaching in Dialectical Behavior Therapy: frequency and relationship to client variables. Retrieved on May 11, 2026, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16506073.2018.1437469
7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2024). Co-Occurring Disorders and Health Conditions. Retrieved on May 11, 2026, from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions
8. Health Insurance Marketplace. (n.d.). Health benefits & coverage. Retrieved on May 11, 2026, from https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/what-marketplace-plans-cover/