Dialectical Behavior Therapy · Addiction and mental health treatment in Costa Rica
Learning to feel without being overwhelmed by feeling
DBT was developed specifically for people who experience emotions intensely and find them difficult to regulate. At CRTC it is one of the most important tools we use for clients whose addiction or mental health struggles are connected to emotional dysregulation.
The therapy built for people who feel everything deeply
Dialectical Behavior Therapy was developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s, originally for people with borderline personality disorder.
It has since become one of the most widely used and well-researched therapies for emotional dysregulation, self-destructive behavior and co-occurring mental health and addiction presentations.
The word dialectical refers to the core tension at the heart of the approach: accepting yourself as you are while also working to change. DBT does not ask people to simply think differently. It teaches specific, practical skills for tolerating distress, regulating emotions, improving relationships and staying present rather than reactive.
DBT is recognized as an evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder, suicidal behavior, eating disorders, substance use disorders, depression and PTSD.
The four DBT skill modules
Practical skills that change how you respond to your own life
Mindfulness
The foundation of DBT. Learning to observe thoughts, feelings and sensations without immediately reacting to them. Being present in the moment rather than caught in the past or future.
Distress tolerance
Learning to survive crisis moments without making them worse. Accepting reality as it is without necessarily approving of it. Skills for getting through difficult moments without acting destructively.
Emotion regulation
Understanding and managing intense emotions. Identifying emotional triggers, reducing vulnerability to extreme emotional states and building a life that supports emotional stability.
Interpersonal effectiveness
Navigating relationships more skillfully. Asking for what you need. Setting boundaries. Maintaining self-respect while also maintaining important relationships.
Emotional dysregulation and addiction are deeply connected
For many people with addiction, substances have been the primary way of managing overwhelming emotions.
When feelings become too intense, too painful or too confusing, using provides temporary relief. Without developing other ways of managing those emotional states, stopping is extremely difficult to sustain.
DBT directly addresses this by teaching clients specific skills for tolerating and regulating emotional experience. It is particularly valuable for clients with co-occurring depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder, borderline personality features or any presentation where emotional intensity and reactivity has been a significant factor.
DBT within the broader program
Not a standalone treatment. Part of something larger.
At CRTC DBT skills are woven into both individual therapy and group work depending on each client's needs. DBT is particularly effective in combination with EMDR for trauma-related presentations and with CBT for cognitive restructuring alongside emotional regulation work.
Their words. Their journey.
From people who have been here
★★★★★
When I arrived at CRTC, I was hopeless and broken. The night before, I had almost ended my life with a bottle of methadone pills just to make the pain stop. I didn't really feel like I deserved another chance at recovery.
Before coming to…
I'm so grateful I chose CRTC. They gave me the knowledge to understand, address and change my self destructive behaviours. I really liked the holistic approach to heal my mind, body and spirit. The program content was comprehensive enough…
Life changing, world class luxury recovery treatment center. Are you ready to fly far from home, touch down in San Jose International Airport, drive through lush rainforest to a luxurious million dollar property in the heart of the Costa…
Is DBT only for people with borderline personality disorder?
No. While DBT was originally developed for BPD, it is now widely used for anyone who struggles with emotional dysregulation, intense emotions or self-destructive behavior patterns. It is particularly effective in addiction treatment.
Is DBT evidence-based?
Yes. DBT has a strong and growing evidence base and is recognized as an effective treatment for BPD, substance use disorders, eating disorders and related presentations by major international health bodies.
What format does DBT take at CRTC?
DBT skills are integrated into both individual therapy sessions and group work at CRTC. The specific format depends on each client's individual treatment plan.
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