ASPECTS OF DIALECTICAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

DBT or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is based on a dialectical world view. “Dialectics” applied to behavior therapy has two meanings: the fundamental nature of reality, and that of persuasive dialogue and relationship. Dialectics forms the basis of DBT, as dialogue and relationship, dialectics refers to the treatment approach or strategies used by therapists to effect change. 

DBT skills focus on dysfunctional patterns. The overall goal of DBT skills training is to help individuals change behavioral, emotional, thinking, and interpersonal patterns connected to problems with living.

Skills training with DBT has shown effective with eating disorders, problem drinkers and other addictions, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, treatment resistant depression, reduction in suicide attempts, non-suicidal self-injury, victims of domestic abuse, difficulties regulating emotions, impulse control, interpersonal problems, self-image, and a variety of other disorders. The core skills can also be taught to friends, family members and co-workers who want to learn skills for coping and accepting individuals in their lives who are difficult.

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There are four primary DBT skills training modules: mindfulness skills, interpersonal effectiveness skills, emotions regulation skills, and distress tolerance skills.

Goals of Mindfulness skills:

1.  Reduce suffering and increase happiness,

2.  Increase control of your mind.

3. Experience reality as it is

   1. Be present in your own life.

   2. Be present to others.

Interpersonal effectiveness skills:

1. focusing first on finding and building relationships you want and ending those you do not;

2. then focuses on balancing acceptance and change in interpersonal interactions.

3. Goals:

   1. Be skillful in Achieving Objectives with others,

   2. Build relationships, strengthen current relationships, and end destructive ones,

   3. Walk the middle path.

Goals of Emotion Regulation skills:

1. Understanding and naming emotions,

2. Changing unwanted emotions,

3. Reducing vulnerability to emotion mind, and Managing extreme emotions.

Finally, goals of Distress Tolerance skills:

1. Crisis survival skills,

2. Reality acceptance skills, and

3. Skills when the crisis is addiction.