What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral treatment used in counseling to help people who are experiencing strong emotions, self-destructive behaviors, and suicidal thoughts. It was originally developed in the 1980s for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder but has since been proven effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance use, trauma and other mental health diagnoses.
“It is hard to be happy without a life worth living. This is a fundamental tenet of DBT. Of course, all lives are worth living in reality. No life is not worth living. But what is important is that you experience your life as worth living—one that is satisfying, and one that brings happiness.”
Components of Comprehensive DBT
A comprehensive (full model) DBT program requires a 6-12 month commitment on the part of the individual and includes:
Individual therapy to build motivation
Skills groups to enhance coping
Phone coaching to generalize skills to everyday living
Consultation team meetings to support the therapist
And sometimes family work or education to structure the environment
At the core of DBT is a balance between accepting oneself exactly as they are at the moment in time, with efforts to change or improve unhealthy behaviors in an effort to create a life worth living. The therapist supports this process through the use of validating and supporting the logic of individual choices while also supporting forward progress.
DBT teaches four core skills or strategies to balance acceptance and change. Mindfulness and distress tolerance skills teach individuals how to focus on and accept the present moment, even when unpleasant emotions are occurring. Emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills teach how to change how we manage feelings and relationships. We learn to have more positive emotional experiences and build healthy relationships.
DBT-informed treatment
DBT-informed treatment incorporates the principles of comprehensive DBT but doesn’t require all the components or stages of the program. Different training and skills can be used to meet client needs rather than moving through the full program stages or modes. This flexible and personalized approach offered by DBT-informed treatment is most beneficial to those not experiencing severe mental illness or suicidal ideation.
For those with more severe symptoms, comprehensive DBT is often the most effective approach to treatment. We can provide referrals to comprehensive DBT programs in the St. Louis area.
Ready to learn more about DBT or see if you would be a good candidate? Contact Kara to schedule an appointment! DBT-informed counseling can help you build a life worth living! Don’t hesitate to call or email now!
Sources:
Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT® skills training manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Linehan, Marsha M. 1993. Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. New York, NY: Guilford Publications.
McKay, M, J.C. Wood, and J. Brantley. The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical Dbt Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation & Distress Tolerance. , 2007. Print.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (nih.gov)
Psychotherapy | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
How Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Works (verywellmind.com)
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)? – Behavioral Tech
