DBT places a priority on acceptance and change.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
CBT’s focus on improving feelings by changing thoughts and behaviors overwhelmed these patients.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
People felt invalidated, misunderstood, and criticized, which led many to drop out of therapy.
In DBT, the term “dialectical” means two opposing ideas can be true at the same time.
DBT emphasizes the dialectic of acceptance and change.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
How Does It Work?
DBT requires a fundamental shift in thinking.
These include distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
This can include substance abuse to numb the feelings or some pop in of immediate self-destructive action.
But in the long term, these methods may cause even deeper emotional pain.
Distress tolerance is about learning to manage those overwhelming feelings in healthier ways.
This is known asemotionaldysregulation.
When they become triggered or emotionally overwhelmed, they may become highly reactive and self-destructive.
Studies suggest DBT is effective for people with severe levels of emotional dysregulation.
Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
Interpersonal effectiveness is about improving relationship skills.
Managing emotions and emotional reactivity in relationships requires setting limits and managing conflict, while also respecting others.
Your therapist will work with you on a treatment plan.
The 2020 study concluded DBT also offered skills to build distress tolerance.
Summary
Dialectical behavior therapy is a jot down of therapy that was developed from cognitive behavioral therapy.
It builds skills for distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
2020 Jun;10(6):e01621.
2022 Sep;61(3):735-756. doi:10.1111/bjc.12359
Behavioral Tech Institute.For what conditions is DBT effective?.
