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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in NJ

DBT therapy for addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions, offered in Saddle Brook, Bergen County

DBT Therapy for Addiction and Mental Health at IKON Recovery

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a skills-based treatment that helps you manage intense emotions, get through distress without turning to substances, and communicate more effectively in your relationships. At IKON Recovery in Saddle Brook, NJ, licensed clinicians use DBT for people in treatment for addiction, including those who also live with anxiety, depression, trauma, or emotion regulation difficulties.

If you have tried to stop using before and found that overwhelming feelings or conflict kept pulling you back, DBT gives you specific, practiced skills for those moments. To ask whether DBT is right for you, call our admissions team at (844) 394-4566.

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is an evidence-based, structured type of treatment modality that focuses on developing new skills to manage your emotions and develop your resilience.[1] Initially developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1970s for the treatment of borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been adapted to treat a range of mental health and addiction concerns.[2]

Based in part on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), DBT posits that we can learn to accept the reality of our struggles while also working to change our unhelpful behaviors.[3]

DBT can be used in individual and group settings and at different levels of care. Standard DBT programs are often described as lasting around six months, but the right length depends on your needs and the level of care you are in. DBT is delivered by licensed counselors, social workers, and psychologists with specific DBT training.

DBT at IKON Recovery in Saddle Brook, NJ

IKON Recovery is located in Saddle Brook, NJ 07663, in Bergen County. DBT is part of care in our partial care, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and residential programs.

What DBT looks like at IKON

  • Skills group. A regular group where you learn and practice the four DBT skill sets: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
  • Individual therapy. One-on-one sessions with a DBT-trained clinician to apply the skills to your own triggers and goals.
  • Diary cards. A simple daily tracker for urges, emotions, and skills used, reviewed in sessions.

Telehealth. DBT skills groups may also be available through our telehealth program.

The Four DBT Skill Sets and How They Support Recovery

DBT is built around four sets of skills. At IKON we teach them alongside other evidence-based therapies, and your plan is tailored to your needs.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness, or the practice of bringing your awareness to the present moment, is an important part of DBT. It allows us to monitor our actions, our cravings, and our triggers without judgment or immediate action, providing a critical pause for more considered responses. Example skill: “wise mind,” which helps you notice the pull toward using without acting on it right away.

Emotion Regulation

DBT for addiction and substance abuse helps individuals develop healthier ways to cope with intense and uncomfortable emotions, both of which can be common triggers for addictive behaviors. Example skill: “opposite action,” acting against an unhelpful emotional urge, such as isolating when you feel ashamed.

Distress Tolerance

Struggling with addiction and mental health challenges can be incredibly stressful, and DBT teaches you new ways to manage your stressors and build resilience, fostering a new path toward recovery and emotional well-being. Example skill: TIPP (temperature, intense exercise, paced breathing, paired muscle relaxation), a set of ways to calm the body quickly during a crisis.

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Addiction can strain your relationships and contribute to a cycle of isolation. DBT for addiction focuses on interpersonal effectiveness skills to help you set boundaries and build healthier connections with others. This restores your relationships and reduces the need to rely on substances as a coping mechanism. Example skill: DEAR MAN, a step-by-step way to ask for what you need and set limits.

The “dialectical” in DBT

DBT for addiction encourages making space for seemingly opposite thoughts and emotions simultaneously, allowing participants to consider their alternate feelings and ambivalence toward continued substance abuse while increasing their commitment to the recovery process.

What to Expect From DBT Treatment

DBT is structured, and you will know what to expect. Treatment commonly includes:

  1. Getting started. Your clinician learns your history and identifies the behaviors that most threaten your safety and recovery. In DBT, crisis and safety behaviors come first.
  2. Learning skills. You attend skills group, where you learn and practice new skills with homework between sessions.
  3. Applying skills one-on-one. In individual sessions, you and your therapist work on how to use the skills in your real life, often using a diary card.
  4. Building a life worth staying sober for. As stability improves, the focus shifts to relationships, work, and goals.

The pace depends on you and your level of care. Your team reviews progress with you regularly.

Who DBT Can Help

DBT was first developed for borderline personality disorder and is now used more widely. At IKON, DBT-based approaches may be part of care for people with:

If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.

Our DBT Clinicians

DBT at IKON is provided by licensed behavioral health professionals with training in DBT.

Meet our team

What the Research Says About DBT for Addiction

The clinical body of literature around DBT suggests DBT can help people with substance use disorders, particularly those who also struggle with emotion regulation.[6, 7] DBT considers addiction to be an issue that can be improved rather than as evidence of failure or inadequacy, highlighting the empowering perspective that recovery is a journey of growth and change. With a foundation in self-compassion and skill-building, DBT provides individuals with the tools to navigate the complexities of addiction, fostering lasting and positive outcomes in the process of healing and transformation.

Additionally, DBT has also shown promise in the treatment of co-occurring disorders or the presence of two or more mental health or substance use conditions.[8] While DBT was initially developed to address borderline personality disorder, its principles and skills have been adapted and shown promising results for various mental health conditions as well, and other conditions.[9]

The strongest research on DBT and substance use is in people who also have borderline personality disorder or difficulty regulating emotions. Your care team will talk with you about whether DBT, another therapy, or a combination fits you best.[10, 11]

DBT for Addiction at Ikon

The team at Ikon Recovery Center has seen and experienced a severe gap in the standard treatments for addiction. To overcome this gap, we’re dedicated to creating a treatment experience that combines innovative treatment with a personalized and holistic approach.

Across multiple levels of care, from Partial Care, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Outpatient (OP), Aftercare, and beyond, recovery is about the process, not the destination. This is why we’re invested in providing you with a true community of caring professionals who are committed to your long-term success.

We’re redefining recovery and reimagining treatment.

We know that a quick fix isn’t enough to change your life. Ikon Recovery Center is with you every step of the way, working to partner with you in your journey toward a lasting and fulfilling recovery.

DBT Therapy for Bergen County and Northern New Jersey

Our Saddle Brook location is easy to reach from across northern New Jersey. We welcome clients from Bergen County, Passaic County, Essex County, and Hudson County, including Hackensack, Paterson, Clifton, and Newark. See all areas we serve.

Paying for DBT and Getting Started

Many health insurance plans cover DBT as part of addiction and mental health treatment. Coverage depends on your plan and level of care. IKON accepts a range of commercial plans. To get started:

  1. Verify your insurance online or call (844) 394-4566.
  2. Complete a confidential assessment with our admissions team.
  3. Meet your clinical team and begin your plan.
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Other Therapies We Offer

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Family Therapy
Art Therapy
Yoga Therapy
Music Therapy
Exercise Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy in NJ: Frequently Asked Questions

How Does DBT Differ From Other Treatment Approaches To Addiction?

DBT combines elements of CBT, skill-building, and mindfulness practices to offer a unique and comprehensive strategy for building and sustaining recovery. Holistic in nature, DBT allows you to address addiction from multiple angles. Unlike approaches that focus only on stopping use, DBT recognizes the complexity of addiction by incorporating a more nuanced and adaptable framework for individuals navigating the recovery process.

Is DBT Effective For Treating Different Kinds Of Substance Use Disorders and Addictions?

DBT can help with several kinds of substance use, and clinicians adapt the approach to the substance and to the person. Its adaptable nature allows therapists and other clinicians to tailor unique interventions to address the challenges associated with many different substances, making it a versatile and well-researched approach to addiction treatment.

How Long Does DBT For Addiction Typically Take To Show Results?

While DBT is often presented in a structured fashion, the timeline for experiencing results will vary from person to person, depending on their needs. Many participants report positive changes within a few weeks to a few months, and DBT can also be combined with other treatment and supportive interventions to help achieve lasting success and transformational change in overcoming addiction and co-occurring issues.

Where can I get DBT therapy in NJ for addiction?

IKON Recovery offers DBT therapy in Saddle Brook, NJ, for people in Bergen County and across northern New Jersey. DBT is part of our partial care, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and residential programs. Call (844) 394-4566 to ask about availability.

What are the four DBT skill sets?

Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Each is taught in skills group and practiced between sessions.

Do I need a borderline personality disorder diagnosis to do DBT?

No. DBT was first developed for borderline personality disorder, but it is also used for people with substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, and difficulty managing emotions. Your clinician will decide with you whether it fits.

Is DBT available in person and online?

DBT is offered in person at our Saddle Brook location and is also available by telehealth.

Does insurance cover DBT?

Many plans cover DBT as part of addiction and mental health treatment, but coverage varies. You can verify your benefits or call (844) 394-4566.

Sources

[1] Chapman, A. L. (2006). Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Current Indications and Unique Elements. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 3(9), 62–68. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2963469/ on November 9th, 2023

[2] Linehan, M. M., & Wilks, C. R. (2015). The Course and Evolution of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 69(2), 97–110. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2015.69.2.97 on November 10th, 2023

[3] Flynn, D., Kells, M., Joyce, M., Suarez, C., & Gillespie, C. (2018). Dialectical behaviour therapy for treating adults and adolescents with emotional and behavioural dysregulation: study protocol of a coordinated implementation in a publicly funded health service. BMC Psychiatry, 18(1). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1627-9 on November 10th, 2023

[4] McMain, S. F., Chapman, A. L., Kuo, J. R., Guimond, T., Streiner, D. L., Dixon-Gordon, K. L., Isaranuwatchai, W., & Hoch, J. S. (2018). The effectiveness of 6 versus 12-months of dialectical programbehaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder: the feasibility of a shorter treatment and evaluating responses (FASTER) trial protocol. BMC Psychiatry, 18(1). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1802-z on November 10th, 2023

[5] Haktanir, A., Karisse, C., & Callender, A. (n.d.). Meta-Analysis of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Treating Meta-Analysis of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Treating Substance Use Substance Use. Retrieved from https://epublications.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1601&context=edu_fac on November 10th, 2023

[6] Dimeff, L. A., & Linehan, M. M. (2008). Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Substance Abusers. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 4(2), 39–47. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2797106/ on November 10th, 2023

[10] Linehan, M. M., Schmidt, H., Dimeff, L. A., Craft, J. C., Kanter, J., & Comtois, K. A. (1999). Dialectical behavior therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder and drug-dependence. The American Journal on Addictions, 8(4), 279–292. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/105504999305686 on October 30, 2026

[11] Linehan, M. M., Dimeff, L. A., Reynolds, S. K., Comtois, K. A., Welch, S. S., Heagerty, P., & Kivlahan, D. R. (2002). Dialectical behavior therapy versus comprehensive validation therapy plus 12-step for the treatment of opioid dependent women meeting criteria for borderline personality disorder. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 67(1), 13–26. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-8716(02)00011-X on October 30, 2026