Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?

Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally developed as a treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Individuals with this disorder tend to experience their emotions as very intense and difficult to manage and will engage in impulsive behaviors in an effort to cope with these painful emotions. As a result, people with this disorder might have difficulties with relationships, identity, addictions, suicidal or self-harming behaviors. The goal of DBT is to help those experiencing these intense and seemingly uncontrollable emotions learn new coping skills to reduce distress, manage emotions, and improve relationships.

DBT has been extensively studied and there is a wealth of evidence demonstrating its effectiveness. For instance, in a recent study on the treatment of DBT for BPD, patients showed significant improvements in self-injurious behaviours, the number of stays in hospital, the number of symptoms of BPD, and overall psychiatric symptoms. Impressively, after one year of treatment, 77% of the patients no longer met criteria for the diagnosis of BPD.

While initially developed for the treatment of BPD, countless studies have since shown DBT to be effective in treating a variety of concerns that involve difficulties with emotion regulation, such as the following:

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Eating disorders

  • Bipolar disorder

  • Substance misuse

  • PTSD

  • Anger management difficulties

How Does Dialectical Behavior Therapy Work?

DBT involves learning new tools and techniques for managing emotion and relating with others. The four key areas are:

  • Mindfulness—enhancing awareness and improving the ability to accept and be present.

  • Distress Tolerance—increasing tolerance of negativity thoughts and feelings so that finding an escape is not the immediate response.

  • Emotion Regulation—developing strategies to manage, lessen, and change the intense emotions that are negatively impacting a person’s life.

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness—learning techniques to improve communication and get what is needed, while maintaining self-respect and enhancing relationships.

What is involved in DBT therapy?

Dialectical behavior therapy is facilitated by a DBT trained therapist. The goal of the therapist is to help individuals apply DBT skills to the personal, professional and interpersonal challenges faced in day-to-day life. Individual therapy is often the primary method of treatment and is typically combined with a skills teaching group. While it is beneficial to attend a skills group, it is not a requirement to benefit from treatment. Both individual and group therapy involves assigning homework to practice the skills and generalize coping to several areas of life.

If you or someone you care for might benefit from DBT and you would like more information about our services, please contact us to speak with our DBT trained therapist.