Treatment Perspective: Dialectical Behavior Therapy Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, is an evidence-based treatment modality originally designed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder. Over the years, with much research, this modality has been found to be helpful for many more disorders such as depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), substance use, and binge-eating disorder. DBT is rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy; helping to change negative thought patterns and emotions into more helpful ones. DBT focuses on clients learning and using these new skills and changing behaviors. The ultimate goal with DBT is to obtain a ‘life worth living’ that is defined by the client. DBT treatment is broken down into 4 main modules of focus. Mindfulness-clients learn how to be mindful, what acceptance and change are, and a variety of mindfulness skills to be present in their lives. Distress tolerance-clients learn what distress tolerance is; they can handle difficult and intense emotions. Emotion regulation-clients then take those difficult or intense emotions and learn strategies to help regulate these emotions when they are felt. Interpersonal effectiveness-clients work, though the relationship with their therapist, family and group members, how to interact with others effectively to gain what they need from the relationship. Therapists who provide DBT treatment have gone through extensive training and consultation in order to provide this modality. Complete DBT treatment should include all of the following components: individual therapy, group therapy, phone coaching with a therapist, and the therapist is part of a consultation team specific to DBT. However, skills within DBT are widely useful and helpful on their own as well, and many therapists utilize some of the skills within their regular therapy techniques. |
