Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive behavioral treatment that research shows is effective in treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It is also effective treatment for disorders such as substance dependence, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders. It was originally developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD in the 1970s.
DBT is a systematic therapy that organizes treatment into targets. The first stage of treatment focuses on life threatening behaviors, therapy interfering behaviors, decreasing behaviors that interfere with your quality of life, and increasing effective coping skills. Stage Two focuses on experiencing emotions more fully. This is when PTSD is treated if it is a problem for the client. Stage three focuses on solving ordinary life problems, building self-respect, and finding peace and happiness. Stage four focuses on moving towards a feeling of completeness
DBT is a systematic therapy that organizes treatment into targets. The first stage of treatment focuses on life threatening behaviors, therapy interfering behaviors, decreasing behaviors that interfere with your quality of life, and increasing effective coping skills. Stage Two focuses on experiencing emotions more fully. This is when PTSD is treated if it is a problem for the client. Stage three focuses on solving ordinary life problems, building self-respect, and finding peace and happiness. Stage four focuses on moving towards a feeling of completeness
Components of DBT
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) involves four main components: Skills training group, Individual Therapy, DBT phone coaching, and Therapist Consultation team.
1. Skills training group is focused on teaching clients behavioral skills to help them be more capable to handle distress, emotions, and relationships. The group is run like a class where the leader teaches skills each week, assigns homework to practice those skills, and then the clients report on their homework. Groups meet weekly for 2 hours for 1 year.
2. Individual Therapy takes place weekly for 45-60 minutes for as long as the client is in the DBT program. Individual session focus on helping the client analyze their own behavior and then apply the skills they learn in group to difficulties in their lives in order to create a life worth living.
3. Phone coaching allows clients to contact their individual therapist for in the moment coaching on how to use skills to cope with crisis situations rather than waiting until the next therapy session to get assistance.
4. Therapist consultation team is a meeting for DBT therapists to consult about clients in treatment. It is designed to help therapists stay adherent to the treatment model and stay motivated to continue effective treatment.
1. Skills training group is focused on teaching clients behavioral skills to help them be more capable to handle distress, emotions, and relationships. The group is run like a class where the leader teaches skills each week, assigns homework to practice those skills, and then the clients report on their homework. Groups meet weekly for 2 hours for 1 year.
2. Individual Therapy takes place weekly for 45-60 minutes for as long as the client is in the DBT program. Individual session focus on helping the client analyze their own behavior and then apply the skills they learn in group to difficulties in their lives in order to create a life worth living.
3. Phone coaching allows clients to contact their individual therapist for in the moment coaching on how to use skills to cope with crisis situations rather than waiting until the next therapy session to get assistance.
4. Therapist consultation team is a meeting for DBT therapists to consult about clients in treatment. It is designed to help therapists stay adherent to the treatment model and stay motivated to continue effective treatment.
Skills Training Modules
· Mindfulness- Focusing on the present moment rather than being stuck in your mind or emotions.
· Distress tolerance-Improving impulse control and managing distress effectively without making the situation worse.
· Emotion Regulation-Identifying emotions and then managing them effectively.
· Interpersonal effectiveness- Assertiveness strategies to help you get more of what you want in relationships while keeping self- respect.
· Distress tolerance-Improving impulse control and managing distress effectively without making the situation worse.
· Emotion Regulation-Identifying emotions and then managing them effectively.
· Interpersonal effectiveness- Assertiveness strategies to help you get more of what you want in relationships while keeping self- respect.