Traditional Approaches at The Fullbrook Center
Evidence-Based Therapies for Lasting Recovery
Healing from addiction and trauma is not just about stabilization—it’s about major healing. At The Fullbrook Center, we believe in helping women uncover the root issues of their substance use and mental health conditions through structured, evidence-based therapies. While we integrate experiential and holistic treatments, we also rely on proven clinical methods to help women rewire harmful thought patterns, develop new coping skills, and build a foundation for lifelong recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are two of the most powerful, research-backed modalities in addiction and trauma treatment. These therapies provide women with the structure and skills needed to navigate life’s challenges without turning to substances, self-harm, or self-destructive behaviors.
Women come to The Fullbrook Center carrying deep emotional wounds—but through these traditional approaches, along with our experiential therapies, they begin to see the light go on as they learn how to manage emotions, change behaviors, and build a life free from the weight of trauma.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Many women struggling with addiction and mental health concerns feel trapped in their thoughts—stuck in cycles of self-criticism, fear, and destructive behavior. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps women break free from these patterns by identifying negative thought loops and replacing them with healthier, more realistic ways of thinking.
CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts shape our behaviors. If a woman believes she is worthless, she may turn to substances or other harmful behaviors to escape. If she believes she is incapable of change, she may not even try. CBT helps women challenge these beliefs and build a stronger, more positive sense of self.
How CBT Helps in Trauma and Addiction Recovery
- Reframing traumatic memories so they lose their emotional charge
- Identifying and replacing negative thought patterns that contribute to addiction and mental health struggles
- Developing healthier coping strategies for managing stress and emotions
- Reducing self-destructive behaviors, including substance use and disordered eating patterns
- Helping women regain control over their thoughts and actions
At The Fullbrook Center, we don’t just use CBT as a tool for addiction treatment—we use it as a path to help women become the women they’ve always wanted to be.
If your thoughts feel like they are working against you, CBT can help you take back control.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
For many women, emotions feel overwhelming—like waves that crash over them, pulling them under. Some turn to substances to numb the intensity, while others struggle with self-harm, eating disorders, or unstable relationships.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was designed specifically for individuals who experience intense emotions and difficulty regulating them. It is particularly effective for women struggling with borderline personality disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and addiction—as well as those who feel emotionally reactive, impulsive, or stuck in harmful relationship patterns.
DBT teaches women how to manage their emotions without self-destruction. Instead of numbing pain with substances or harmful behaviors, DBT helps women learn how to sit with discomfort, tolerate distress, and regulate their emotions in a healthier way.
The Four Pillars of DBT
Mindfulness
Learning how to stay present in the moment instead of being consumed by past trauma or future fears
Distress Tolerance
Developing coping skills to manage emotional pain without turning to self-harm or substances
Emotion Regulation
Understanding emotions and learning how to respond instead of react
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Building stronger, healthier relationships and learning how to communicate needs without fear or aggression
At The Fullbrook Center, we teach women practical DBT skills training that helps them navigate life’s challenges without feeling emotionally overwhelmed. 12-step work is therapeutic in nature, but DBT provides real-time emotional tools that support long-term sobriety.
If emotions feel like they control your life, DBT can help you take back your power.
Why The Fullbrook Center Uses These Traditional Approaches
Many treatment centers focus on addiction treatment alone, but at The Fullbrook Center, we recognize that substance use is often a symptom of deeper emotional pain. We use CBT and DBT to help women:
- Process trauma and reduce symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder
- Gain control over overwhelming emotions
- Develop the skills necessary for long-term sobriety and emotional stability
- Build stronger relationships and healthier communication patterns
- Navigate mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and borderline personality disorder
For many women, CBT and DBT may be the missing pieces in their recovery. They teach women how to move through pain without turning to substances or harmful behaviors—how to tolerate discomfort instead of running from it.
If you have struggled with substance use, intense emotions, or mental illness, you are not broken. You can heal, and we can help.
Call now to take the first step toward lasting recovery.
FAQs: Traditional Approaches at The Fullbrook Center
What is the difference between CBT and DBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing negative thought patterns that contribute to addiction and mental health struggles, while Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) focuses on emotional regulation skills, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Both therapies are highly effective, but CBT helps reframe thoughts, while DBT teaches women how to manage intense emotions and relationships. At The Fullbrook Center, we use both CBT and DBT to help women heal from trauma, addiction, and co-occurring mental health conditions.
How does DBT focus on emotional regulation skills?
DBT focuses heavily on emotional regulation skills by teaching women how to understand, process, and manage emotions without self-destructive behaviors. Many women in recovery feel emotionally overwhelmed, which can lead to substance use, self-harm, or unstable relationships. DBT helps women tolerate distress without impulsive reactions, develop mindfulness practices, and respond to emotions in a way that promotes healing and stability.
Can CBT and DBT be used together?
Yes. CBT and DBT complement each other in addiction and trauma recovery. At The Fullbrook Center, we integrate both therapies to help women reframe harmful thoughts while also building skills for managing emotions and relationships. This approach ensures that women not only heal from past trauma but also gain the tools necessary to navigate life without falling back into old patterns.
How does exposure therapy work alongside CBT and DBT?
Exposure therapy is often used in conjunction with CBT and DBT to help women process traumatic memories in a controlled, safe environment. For many women, past traumatic events create avoidance behaviors, where they try to numb or escape distressing emotions. Exposure therapy gradually helps women confront their fears and triggers, reducing the intensity of PTSD symptoms and breaking the cycle of avoidance.
Who provides therapies at The Fullbrook Center?
All CBT and DBT sessions at The Fullbrook Center are led by licensed mental health professionals who specialize in trauma and addiction recovery. Our team includes master’s-level therapists and clinicians trained in evidence-based cognitive therapy approaches. Every woman receives personalized care from professionals who understand the complexities of trauma, addiction, and emotional healing.
Is DBT only for women with borderline personality disorder?
No. While DBT was originally developed for borderline personality disorder (BPD), it has been proven effective for a wide range of mental health concerns, including addiction, PTSD, eating disorders, and emotional dysregulation. At The Fullbrook Center, we use DBT to help all women who struggle with overwhelming emotions, impulsivity, or difficulty managing relationships.
Are CBT and DBT part of your adult inpatient program?
Yes. At The Fullbrook Center, CBT and DBT are core components of our adult inpatient program. Women receive individual therapy, group skills training, and structured support as they work through trauma, addiction, and mental health conditions. In an inpatient setting, these therapies provide the structure and stability necessary for deep emotional healing and long-term recovery.
