You Are Here - Home >Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, cognitive behavioral
treatment program developed by Marsha Linehan Ph.D. at the University of
Washington to address the extreme moodiness, reckless impulsivity, self destructive
and suicidal behaviors of persons with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or
BPD traits. More recently it has been found effective for treating BPD and substance
abuse, bulimia nervosa, and elderly and teenage clients, with treatment resistant
depression. Its current use has been supported by the National Institutes of Mental
Health, the National Institute of Drug Abuse and various academic centers.

 

What is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex disorder. Prominent symptoms
include suicidal gestures and attempts, self injury (cutting, burning), aggressive
outbursts, impulsivity and emotional reactivity; all of which typically manifest
themselves within the context of interpersonal relationships. There has been
an ongoing discussion in psychiatry about whether impulsive aggression, mood
changes and emotional vulnerability are at the core of the disorder. DBT assumes
that BPD stems from emotional dysregulation in the presence of an invalidating
(overcritical, judgmental, abusive) environment. When faced with normal
emotions like fear, sadness, anger or joy; individuals with BPD are unable to
effectively regulate those emotions. Unregulated emotions that do not become
manageable within a reasonable amount of time strongly influence the individual’s
interpretations of events and color their interactions with people, leading to
chaotic interpersonal relationships, impulsivity and self destructive behaviors.

 

Why the name Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

The meaning of the word: “dialectical” derives from modern philosophers like Kant
and Hegel, who used the term to describe a process of resolving or synthesizing
opposites. Linehan applied it to this form of therapy because a fundamental task
in DBT is to promote acceptance while simultaneously encouraging change. If the
therapy emphasizes only change or acceptance BPD clients tend to experience it as
invalidating their needs and experience. DBT balances the client’s need to avoid
pain with a simultaneous effort to accept life as it is.

 

What are the components of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

DBT involves individual, group skills training (that consist of a blend of cognitive-
behavioral therapy and Zen inspired meditative techniques) phone availability and
consultation with a team that provide ongoing support for the therapists imparting
the treatment. The essential goals of the therapy include improving the client’s
motivation for change, enhancing the person’s capabilities, generalizing new
behaviors and structuring the environment.

 

DBT teaches clients to: 1) Be in control of one’s behavior; 2) Experience emotions
fully and avoid emotional “shut downs”; 3) Build an ordinary life and 4) Seek
completeness through connections to others and searching for meaning in their
lives. In substance abusing individuals with BPD (a common association), DBT also
focuses on cravings, triggers that lead to relapse and fosters the building of support
systems.

Lifeskills is here for you....


When you are struggling to find the strength to overcome your challenges.


When someone you love is suffering and you are seeking non-judgmental comprehensive care.


When you are in the healing process and you want a safe haven during your transition.


We are here to Help. Call Now 1.800.749.7149