What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Marsha M. Linehan, Ph.D., originally designed to treat individuals with severe emotional and behavioral dysregulation, such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).
DBT combines principles of behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and mindfulness, establishing a balance between helping individuals accept their reality and encouraging change. DBT is a comprehensive treatment that has proven effective for a wide range of mental health problems, including self-harm, suicidality, substance abuse, and eating disorders.
The standard DBT model consists of four modes of treatment delivery:
Individual Psychotherapy: Focused on enhancing client motivation and helping clients apply skills to specific challenges and events in their lives.
Skills Training: Aimed at enhancing clients' capabilities by teaching them behavioral skills in a group setting.
In-the-Moment Coaching: Provides clients with support between sessions to help them apply DBT skills in real-life situations.
Consultation Team for Therapists: Supports therapists in providing effective treatment by helping them stay motivated and adhere to DBT principles.
DBT emphasizes the development of four key skill sets:
Mindfulness: Being fully aware and present in the moment.
Distress Tolerance: Tolerating pain in difficult situations without trying to change it.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Asking for what you want and saying "no" while maintaining self-respect and relationships with others.
Emotion Regulation: Changing emotions that you want to change.
By integrating these components, DBT aims to help individuals manage their emotions, develop healthier relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors.