What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a research-based, cognitive-behavioral treatment developed by Marsha Linehan, to help individuals with the suicidal, self-harm and at risk behaviors. DBT has been used to successfully treat many different populations including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, impulsively and self destructive behaviors. DBT is most effective when individual therapy and skills training groups are combined. DBT training is a great tool for adolescents who exhibit emotional dis-regulation, poor self awareness, and difficulties relating or communicating to others. The goal is to help clients create “a life worth living.”
The following areas are taught in DBT skills training groups:
Mindfulness: Confusion About Yourself
Do not always know what you feel, why you get upset, or what your goals are.
Distress Tolerance: Impulsivity
Acting without thinking it all through.
Emotion Regulation: Fast, intense mood changes
with little control; or steady negative emotional state; healthy eating and sleeping habits.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Interpersonal Problems
Pattern of difficulty keeping relationships steady and getting what you want.
Teenager And Family Dilemmas:
Extreme thinking, feeling and acting, e.g.,
all or nothing (black/white thinking)