What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
What is DBT?
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment. It is a type of counseling that is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), but it is specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely.
CBT and DBT are categories of psychotherapy that can help people better understand how thoughts, feelings and behaviors work together.
The word, “dialectical” means combining two opposite or opposing ideas together.
DBT focuses on helping people increase distress tolerance skills, accept the reality that life is full of opposing forces, experiences and emotions, and identifying and changing unhelpful behaviors.
What is the goal of DBT?
The goal of Dialectical Behavior Therapy is to increase coping skills so that one can manage negative situations and emotions in a healthy and regulated way.
What are the four main components of DBT?
The four main components of DBT Counseling and Psychotherapy are:
Core Mindfulness
Increase Distress Tolerance
Increase Emotion Regulation
Increase Interpersonal Effectiveness
Who could benefit from DBT?
DBT was originally created by Dr. Marsha Linehan and was intended to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD).
However, DBT has also been shown to be very helpful for anyone who experience intense emotions, has trouble with emotional regulation, experience self-destructive behaviors, eating disorders and/or substance use disorders.
DBT has also been shown to be very helpful with the adolescent population.
Here at Well Mind Body, we take an integrative approach to counseling and psychotherapy. If you think your a loved one could benefit from DBT, please reach out!
Thank you for being here,
Dr. Elizabeth Miller
