Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Complex PTSD
Adapted DBT Treatment for Complex PTSD, therapy-interfering behaviors, and severe dissociation.
What is DBT for Complex PTSD (DBT-PTSD)
DBT for Complex PTSD (DBT-PTSD), developed by Martin Bohus, MD, is a specialized, integrated treatment for individuals who present with features of complex PTSD. At Summit Psychotherapy Center, our team has received advanced training from Dr. Bohus himself and have been at the vanguard of DBT-PTSD implementation and program development through Stanford’s DBT Trauma Team.
Why DBT for Complex PTSD?
DBT for Complex PTSD is uniquely suited because it addresses:
Dissociation
Teaching anti-dissocation skills as well as skills to cope with intrusions/flashbacks
Emotion Dysregulation
DBT’s core focus on emotion regulation skills with a specific trauma lens to help you understand how trauma has impacted the development of your emotional responses
Relationship Difficulties
Identifying patterns in significant relationships and exploring how these patterns may create stumbling blocks in the therapeutic relationship
Pervasive Negative Self-Concepts
Helping you identify the ways trauma has impacted your identity and connecting a healthy sense of self and self-worth through self-worth through Wise Mind
Trauma Processing
Skills-assisted exposure to manage difficult emotions and dissociation so that you can work through stuck trauma-related emotions
Validation and Change
Balancing acceptance of past experiences with active healing
Compassion
Developing a compassionate self – an ability to understand and accept yourself fully and unconditionally
The DBT for Complex PTSD Approach
A Phased Healing Approach
Treatment typically follows a phased approach addressing safety, skills, and trauma processing:
Phase 1: Commitment, Motivation, and Skills Acquisition
Reducing life-threatening behaviors, establishing the therapeutic relationship, identifying your Trauma Model, understanding the Old Path that keeps you stuck, and learning skills for mindfulness, anti-dissociation, distress tolerance, emotion regulation
Phase 2: Trauma Processing
Processing traumatic memories through skills-assisted exposure to help block dissociation and cope with overwhelming emotions
Phase 3: Acceptance and New Path
Radical acceptance of the past, rebuilding a sense of self, taking active steps towards a New Path to create a meaningful life
Who Can Benefit?
Is DBT for Complex PTSD Right for You?
This approach may be particularly helpful if you:
Experienced repeated, ongoing trauma in childhood
Have tried standard trauma treatment (e.g CPT or PE) without success
Experience intrusive memories or flashbacks of trauma events that interfere with your functioning
Struggle with emotion dysregulation and dissociation alongside trauma symptoms
Engage in self-harm, suicidal ideation, or other self-destructive behaviors when trauma-related memories and emotions arise
Have difficulty maintaining stable, healthy relationships
Experience deep shame or identity confusion
Feel like trauma has affected every area of your life
Have co-occurring BPD/PTSD or C-PTSD
Are willing to commit to longer-term treatment
Need skills and support alongside trauma processing
Why Choose Summit for Complex PTSD Treatment?
Stanford DBT Trauma Services Team Expertise
Summit Psychotherapy Center offers exceptional expertise in treating Complex PTSD thorugh our advanced training from Dr. Martin Bohus, the creator of DBT-PTSD, and through our extensive experience implementing the model with the Stanford DBT Trauma Team. Our clinicians understand the nuanced presentation of complex trauma and the need for phased treatment that addresses dissociation, skills-building, trauma processing, relationships, and identity. We ensure you have the foundation needed to tolerate difficult emotions and maintain safety. We provide both validation of your experiences and active skill-building and skills practice to help you create the life you deserve. Our approach is grounded in evidence-based practices while also honoring the unique, complex nature of each person’s trauma history.
Ready for Complex Trauma Treatment?
DBT for Complex PTSD offers a New Path to healing that addresses the full impact of pervasive childhood trauma. Our Stanford-trained specialists are here to support you through every phase of recovery.