Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. Initially, it was designed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), but over time, it has been adapted to help people with various mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of mindfulness and acceptance. The therapy focuses on helping individuals develop skills in four key areas:

1. Mindfulness: This helps people become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the present moment. Mindfulness teaches acceptance and awareness, which can reduce the impact of negative emotions.
2. Distress Tolerance: This skill set helps individuals manage and tolerate emotional pain without resorting to harmful behaviors. It involves strategies like distraction, self-soothing, and improving the moment.
3. Emotional Regulation: DBT helps people understand and manage their intense emotions. The goal is not to suppress emotions but to experience them in healthier ways, reducing emotional reactivity and impulsivity.
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: This teaches individuals how to assert their needs, set boundaries, and maintain relationships while respecting both their own and others’ needs.

The “dialectical” part of DBT refers to the concept of balancing acceptance and change. This means that while individuals learn to accept themselves as they are, they are also encouraged to make meaningful changes in their behaviors and thought patterns.

DBT is typically delivered through a combination of individual therapy, skills training in group settings, and phone coaching to help clients apply skills in real-life situations. It’s highly structured but flexible, allowing therapists to tailor treatment to the individual’s needs. Over time, DBT has shown to be particularly effective for those struggling with self-harm, emotional instability, and relationship difficulties.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) developed by psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. Initially, it was designed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), but over time, it has been adapted to help people with various mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of mindfulness and acceptance. The therapy focuses on helping individuals develop skills in four key areas:

1. Mindfulness: This helps people become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the present moment. Mindfulness teaches acceptance and awareness, which can reduce the impact of negative emotions.
2. Distress Tolerance: This skill set helps individuals manage and tolerate emotional pain without resorting to harmful behaviors. It involves strategies like distraction, self-soothing, and improving the moment.
3. Emotional Regulation: DBT helps people understand and manage their intense emotions. The goal is not to suppress emotions but to experience them in healthier ways, reducing emotional reactivity and impulsivity.
4. Interpersonal Effectiveness: This teaches individuals how to assert their needs, set boundaries, and maintain relationships while respecting both their own and others’ needs.

The “dialectical” part of DBT refers to the concept of balancing acceptance and change. This means that while individuals learn to accept themselves as they are, they are also encouraged to make meaningful changes in their behaviors and thought patterns.

DBT is typically delivered through a combination of individual therapy, skills training in group settings, and phone coaching to help clients apply skills in real-life situations. It’s highly structured but flexible, allowing therapists to tailor treatment to the individual’s needs. Over time, DBT has shown to be particularly effective for those struggling with self-harm, emotional instability, and relationship difficulties.