Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Definition

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy but is specifically designed to help people manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors. It combines standard CBT techniques with concepts from mindfulness, acceptance, and dialectics.

Core Concept

Structure

"Dialectical" in DBT means understanding that two seemingly opposing ideas can both be truth. For example, accepting oneself while working towards positive change.

DBT, similar to CBT, is also structured in its approach and it includes clear goals and homework assignments (such as emotion and skill tracking exercises)

Mindfulness (practising awareness of thoughts, emotions, and environment in the present moment without judgment)

Distress Tolerance (surviving emotional crises without impulsive actions)

Emotion Regulation (understanding and reducing vulnerability to intense emotions to manage them more effectively)

Interpersonal Effectiveness (improving relationships by balancing own and others' needs while maintaining self-respect )