Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specialized form of therapy that was originally developed to treat individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, it has since been found effective in treating a range of mental health conditions characterized by emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal difficulties. DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of mindfulness and dialectics to help individuals build skills for managing emotions and improving relationships.
In DBT, clients typically engage in one-on-one sessions with a therapist to address personal challenges, set goals, and work on specific skills. The therapist helps the client apply coping strategies to real-life situations and tracks progress over time.
DBT skills training groups are a core component of the therapy. These groups focus on teaching four sets of skills:
Mindfulness: Learning to be present in the moment, observe thoughts and emotions without judgment, and engage fully in activities.
Emotion Regulation: Developing strategies to identify, understand, and manage intense emotions in healthy ways.
Distress Tolerance: Learning crisis survival skills to navigate difficult situations without making impulsive or harmful decisions.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Enhancing communication skills, setting boundaries, and building healthier relationships with others.
Clients in DBT often have access to phone coaching between therapy sessions. This allows individuals to reach out to their therapists for support and guidance during moments of crisis or when they need help applying skills in real-time.
DBT therapists participate in consultation teams to ensure they are providing the best possible care to their clients. These teams involve regular meetings where therapists receive support, supervision, and feedback on their work with clients.
DBT helps individuals learn skills to identify and manage intense emotions effectively.
Clients develop healthier communication strategies and build more stable relationships.
By learning distress tolerance and emotion regulation techniques, individuals can reduce impulsive actions and harmful behaviors.