What Is DBT Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. Originally created to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has since proven effective for many other mental health issues, including:
Depression
Anxiety
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Eating disorders
Substance use disorders
Self-harming behaviors and suicidal ideation
Core Components of DBT
DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance strategies, emphasizing balance between change and acceptance. It focuses on four key skill areas:
Mindfulness: Developing awareness of the present moment without judgment.
Distress Tolerance: Learning how to tolerate pain and crisis situations without making them worse.
Emotion Regulation: Understanding and managing intense emotions effectively.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication and relationship skills.