What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy or DBT is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy, more commonly referred to as ‘talk therapy.’ Dialectical behavior therapy is a modified version of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people learn coping skills to be present in the moment, better manage their emotions, reduce the intensity of their emotions, and learn effective communication skills to cultivate healthy relationships. Dialectical behavior therapy was created by Marsha Linnehan for individuals struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, DBT has been proven to be effective for multiple mental health diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and more. DBT treatment involves three different therapeutic techniques, individual therapy, group therapy to learn DBT skills, and twenty-four- seven phone coaching for crisis intervention. These therapeutic techniques place an emphasis on the four different DBT modules of, mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

DBT Therapeutic Techniques

Individual Therapy: Once weekly 45 minute individual sessions allow you to discuss personal challenges and how to implement the DBT coping skills in your life to manage them effectively. During the sessions, you and the therapist may review a diary card to explore your moods, track your negative behaviors, and identify your triggers.

Group Skills Therapy: Once weekly 60-90 minutes skills group therapy that is structured. Each week you’ll learn a new skill and be assigned homework to practice that skill during the week and review in the following group therapy session.

Phone Coaching: Patients can contact their therapist twenty-four-seven when experiencing overwhelming and intense emotions that are difficult to cope with. Phone coaching is structured and focused on using the DBT coping skills with the therapist to manage your emotions and your current situation.

The Four DBT Modules

Mindfulness: The goal of mindfulness is to help you learn to live in the moment, rather than living in the past or the future. It’s about being present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and impulses.

Emotion Regulation: The goal of emotion regulation is to learn coping skills that will allow you to manage your emotions by learning how to identify, name the emotion, and change the emotion. By learning how to name and change your emotions you reduce the intensity of the emotion and vulnerability to the emotion. Learning to manage your emotions will enable you to react more appropriately to the situation.

Distress Tolerance: The goal of distress tolerance is to cease or reduce intense overwhelming emotions to prevent engaging in negative behaviors such as anger outbursts, self-harming behaviors, and more. These skills help empower you to handle intense and overwhelming emotions.

Interpersonal Effectiveness: The goal of interpersonal effectiveness is learning and utilizing communication skills that promote and develop healthy relationships with friends, family, colleagues, and partners. This module focuses on learning to be assertive with your needs while also learning to listen and respect others needs, and be open to compromise.

DBT requires a twice-a-week commitment and completion of weekly homework

assignments in order to receive the most effective treatment. One cycle of DBT takes roughly six months, and it is often encouraged to complete two cycles of DBT as you learn the skills in the first cycle, and master the skills in the second cycle. If you’re unsure if DBT treatment is for you, it is recommended to speak with a professional!