What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive behaviour therapy. It was the brainchild of Marsha M. Linehan. Linehan’s experience of treating individuals with borderline personality disorders formed the basis of her efforts to develop this therapeutic approach. It is important to understand the word dialectics to understand the core essence of this therapeutic approach. Dialects refer to the essential idea that each statement of a position (thesis) contains an opposing position with its own self (antithesis). In the DBT framework dialectics highlights two assumptions; a client is functioning to the best of their abilities but also needs to change and the root cause of all their issues may be external to them, but they have to take the responsibility of resolving them. Thus, this approach helps clients deal with their limitations and focus on their potential for change.

The main components of DBT are:

1. Problem-Solving: Under this paradigm, DBT applies behavioural principles and assessments based on cognitive behaviour therapy. For example, cognitive restructuring focuses on dealing with maladaptive thought patterns. After identifying problem behaviours, the therapist and client collectively conduct an in-depth review of the issues at hand and the situational factors surrounding them. This is followed by a discussion of the application of alternative responses for improved problem-solving.

2. Validation: Validation is the process of providing a supportive base to the client’s thoughts and feelings by providing feedback and reinforcement. This process is considered a helpful method of bolstering self-validation and therapeutic alliance.

3. Skills Training: This mode of treatment is included in DBT in order to assist clients in improving their capabilities to live better lives. It includes the following:

4. Emotional regulation: Includes cognitive and behavioural strategies for dealing with maladaptive emotional responses.
5. Distress tolerance: Aims at training clients in impulse control and developing functional ways to deal with crisis situations.
6. Mindfulness skills: Includes attending to awareness of surroundings, being non-judgemental in disposition, focusing on the present context, etc. This training helps clients to develop effective ways of living their lives.
7. Interpersonal effectiveness: Focuses on teaching assertiveness skills. In addition, building interpersonal skills assist in maintaining relationship priorities and demands along with strengthening self-respect.

Core strategies applied in the DBT framework are as follows:

• Behavioural Analysis: This is a joint effort between the therapist and client to identify units of behaviour forming the basis of problem behaviour. A chain analysis is conducted starting from the antecedents, to the final consequences of the behaviour. The aim of this analysis is to uncover maladaptive elements that result in emotional dysregulation.
• Solution Analysis: The results of the behavioural analysis are further applied by attempting to identify the client’s goals, needs and desires. The client is assisted in finding alternative solutions to their problems.
• Problem-Solving: Contingency procedures in DBT focus on removing elements that reinforce non-constructive behaviour. For example, acts of self-injury are often reinforced by the attention and care that follow from the family. DBT sessions also help clients develop useful behavioural skills that are then strengthened during sessions gradually.

Evidence Base
DBT as a therapeutic approach has been the most effective module applied to the treatment of borderline personality disorder. DBT has also garnered strong empirical support in reducing suicidal behaviour in clients with BPD and other disorders. In addition, self-injurious behaviours can also be addressed under DBT. DBT has also been found useful in the management of eating disorders, substance use and depression

Get Started With a Licensed Therapist
Select Your Therapist