DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It is a type of psychotherapy that was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan. DBT was originally created to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), but it has since been found to be effective for a range of other mental health conditions.
DBT is an evidence-based therapy that combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness practices. It focuses on teaching individuals skills to manage their emotions, improve their relationships, and cope with distressing situations.
The primary goal of DBT is to help individuals create a life worth living. It does this by targeting four main areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Mindfulness is a key component of DBT. It involves being fully present in the moment and non-judgmentally observing one’s thoughts, feelings, and sensations. By practicing mindfulness, individuals can learn to better regulate their emotions and make more effective decisions.
Distress tolerance skills are designed to help individuals cope with intense emotions and distressing situations without resorting to harmful behaviors. These skills include self-soothing techniques, distracting activities, and crisis survival strategies.
Emotion regulation skills are aimed at helping individuals identify and manage their emotions in a healthy way. This includes learning to recognize and label emotions, understanding the functions of emotions, and developing strategies to change emotional responses.
Interpersonal effectiveness skills focus on improving communication and relationship-building skills. These skills teach individuals how to assertively ask for what they need, set boundaries, and maintain healthy relationships.
DBT is typically delivered in a group setting, although individual therapy may also be included. The therapy usually involves weekly sessions that last around two to three hours. In addition to therapy sessions, individuals are often given homework assignments to practice the skills they have learned.
DBT has been shown to be effective for a variety of mental health conditions, including BPD, substance use disorders, eating disorders, and depression. It has also been adapted for use with adolescents and individuals with developmental disabilities.
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