Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on helping people change unhelpful or harmful behaviors and thought patterns. DBT has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, and borderline personality disorder.
Dialectical behavioral therapy is based on the belief that people are capable of change and that positive change is possible even in the most difficult situations. The goal of DBT is to help people develop coping skills and strategies to deal with life’s challenges in a more positive and productive way.
Dialectical behavioral therapy treatment usually consists of weekly individual therapy sessions and group skills training sessions. In addition, patients are encouraged to practice using the skills they learn in between sessions.
What Does DBT Involve?
The focus of DBT is on changing negative thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. To do this, patients are taught four groups of skills:
Mindfulness: Learning to be present at the moment and nonjudgmental about one’s thoughts and experiences
Interpersonal effectiveness: Learning how to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and achieve personal goals
Distress tolerance: Learning how to cope with difficult emotions and situations without making them worse
Emotion regulation: Learning how to manage emotions in a healthy way
Patients typically attend weekly individual therapy sessions as well as group skills training sessions. In addition, patients are encouraged to practice using the skills they learn in between sessions. The ultimate goal is for patients to be able to apply the skills they’ve learned in order to cope with life’s challenges in a more positive and productive way.
The Many Benefits of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Here are seven benefits of this evidence-based treatment:
Dialectical behavioral therapy Teaches Skills to Help Manage Difficult Emotions
One of the core components of DBT is teaching skills to help people better manage difficult emotions. This is done through weekly skills training groups, which cover topics such as mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. Over time, people who participate in DBT skills training groups learn how to better deal with intense emotions, navigate difficult situations, and manage impulsivity.
DBT Can Help Reduce Suicidal Behavior
DBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for reducing suicidal behavior in people with a borderline personality disorder. In one study, participants who received DBT were half as likely to attempt suicide as those who did not receive DBT. Additionally, the participants who received DBT were more likely to experience a decrease in suicidal thoughts and plans than those who did not receive DBT.
DBT Can Help Treat Eating Disorders
Dialectical behavioral therapy has also been found to be an effective treatment for eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. In one study of women with bulimia nervosa, those who received DBT were more likely to reduce bingeing and purging behavior than those who received another type of therapy. In another study of people with binge eating disorder, those who received DBT were more likely to reduce binge eating than those who did not receive any treatment at all.
If you’re struggling to cope with difficult emotions or situations, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) may be worth considering. DBT is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions. With DBT, you’ll learn essential skills like mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation. These skills can help you make positive changes in your thoughts and behaviors so that you can better manage life’s challenges.
