Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT therapy helps individuals manage their negative emotions and learn to transform them. It is an evidence-based form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).

DBT was developed by Marsha Linehan, who recognized the difficulty in treating people who had multiple mental health issues. She researched and found successful psychotherapy interventions for suicidal and self-injuring patients and created DBT as a result.

Dialectical behavior therapy’s primary goal is to assist patients manage their intense emotions and acquire skills for dealing with them. This may involve teaching patients mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation techniques.

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to one’s thoughts and feelings without judgment. Doing this can reduce negative rumination patterns that lead to depressive episodes or anxiety attacks.

Distress tolerance is the ability to manage your emotions and cope with situations that trigger strong reactions such as anger or impulsivity. DBT therapists teach patients strategies like staying calm and abstaining from alcohol or drug abuse that can help them cope with these feelings more easily.

Interpersonal effectiveness requires being able to communicate effectively with others and resolve conflict constructively. This skill is often taught through role-playing in therapy sessions.

Emotional regulation is the ability to manage feelings that might lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors, such as anger, rage, sadness, or hopelessness. This skill can be acquired through practice in individual or group therapy sessions.

DBT is used to treat various mental health conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance use disorders, eating disorders and borderline personality disorder. It has proven successful in decreasing suicide attempts and self-injury rates. Furthermore, it improves relationships and allows patients to become more productive in daily living activities.