Dialectal Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy (psychotherapy). It originates from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but it’s adapted for those who experience emotions intensely.

“Dialectical” means combining opposite ideas. DBT focuses on helping people accept the reality of their lives and their behaviors, as well as helping them learn to change their lives, including their unhelpful behaviors

Dialectical behavior therapy was developed in the 1970s by Marsha Linehan, an American psychologist.

The main goal of therapists who use dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is to strike a balance between validation (acceptance) of who you are and your challenges and the benefits of change. Your therapist will help you learn new skills to improve emotion regulation.

The structure of dialectical behavior therapy can vary some from therapist to therapist, but, in general, DBT involves these four types of sessions:

DBT pre-assessment.

Individual therapy.

Skills training in groups.

Telephone crisis coaching.

The actual length of time it take for DBT to be effective is unique to each person and therapist. Generally, Individual DBT therapy involves weekly sessions with your therapist. Each session lasts about 40 minutes to 60 minutes.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has been shown to help people with their mental health conditions in several studies. For people with borderline personality disorder, in particular, DBT results in:

Less self-harm behavior and anger.

Fewer days of inpatient hospitalization.

Less drug and alcohol misuse.

Improved depressive symptoms.