DBT Aromatherapy
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) is an advanced derivation of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, that was originally developed to treat people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). DBT integrates concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness. The therapy was mainly derived from Buddhist meditative practice with cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotional regulation and reality-testing.
The first step in DBT is to create an environment of unconditional acceptance, which is preceded by identifying the need for a true commitment to treatment from patients, who also need to be willing to accept their alarming level of emotional dysfunction.
The DBT approach emphasizes a coercive patient-therapist relationship, with the therapist being seen as an ally rather than an adversary throughout the course of treatment. The DBT therapist accepts and validates the client’s feelings at any given time, while concurrently helping the client realize that some feelings and behaviors are maladaptive. The therapists then proceeds to teach them healthier alternatives. The program asks the teen and the adults in recovery to systematically record their feeling on DBT diary cards.
Now to our feature -- Aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering one's mood, cognitive, psychological or physical wellbeing. Taking a page from well-known trauma expert for adolescents; Lisa Ferentz (LCSW-C DAPA):
“Aromatherapy is a great way to re-ground throughout the day. You can use scented hand lotion or soap; an unlit votif candle; the fragrance of a favorite teabag; a scarf or scrap of fabric that has your significant others cologne or perfume on it. Download a favorite soothing picture onto your computer’s screen saver and your cell phone, or have a postcard-sized copy of it on your desk. In between each client, stop and look at it, allowing you to smile and take in all of the sensory memories of the image. Given the complexities of treating addictions, eating disorders and self-mutilation, it is imperative that we focus on ourselves in order to stay effective in our work.”
Aromatherapy, also referred to as Essential Oil Therapy, can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing process.
For example; if I was using this type of therapy in a residential type setting the purpose of using this type of therapy in a treatment program the use of scents would needed to set a certain type of mood and calmness for the youths. I believe that the use of different fragrances (different one per day) would be an effective use to stimulate a positive and calm response to the individualize therapy treatment of the residents on a daily bases. This would also be an effective use of treatment in which all residents deal with difficult matters from their personal treatment stemming from drug/alcohol use, past trauma, grief, anger mismanagement, past neglect, etc.., from the use of different fragrances. This type of therapy is used in dealing with young people who suffered and are currently suffering from post trauma.
Keep in mind as well, that this type of creative treatment is not confined to a placement setting but could be used everyday. At a home for example with the combination of other treatments (AA/NA meetings, Drug Abuse Counseling, etc..) that are counter measurements of treatment but could also be used as supplemental avenues as well. You, as a parent, concerned friend or relative, can use other alternatives than oil such as:
1. Plug In Scents 2. Incense 3. Scented candles
I would also advise to be mindful of some scented items such as spray fragrance cans and scented leaves that could potentially be abuse as well (K-2 comes to mind). You do know the person that you are trying to help so common sense and dialogue with a mental health specialist is highly recommended.
In closing to help the ones we care about have the strength to “step outside of yourself,” your comfort zone that different does have a label of dangerous to it. In fact it could be the difference maker in winging someone off of drugs, alcohol and other controlled substance.
Primary Reference: Psych Central
