What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy (psychotherapy) developed by American psychologist Marsha Linehan in the 1970s. It is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a form of talk therapy that aims to teach patients how their thoughts influence their feelings and behaviors. However, it has been altered particularly for people who experience emotions very strongly.

The term 'Dialectical' refers to bringing together opposing viewpoints. Thus, DBT focuses on assisting individuals in learning to change their lives, including their unhelpful behaviors, as well as accepting the reality of their lives and behaviors.

Initially developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder, DBT is used to treat patients with severe or persistent mental health problems.

When is it used?

Dialectical behavior therapy is extremely beneficial for those who have trouble managing and regulating their emotions (DBT).

DBT is being used as a treatment for a variety of mental health conditions because of its emphasis on developing effective emotion regulation skills. DBT has demonstrated efficacy in the management of a variety of mental health conditions, including:

  • Self-harm
  • Chronic stress disorder after trauma
  • Bulimia
  • Overeating disorder
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Addiction
  • Bipolar Disorder

Treatment Methods Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT has developed into a psychotherapeutic strategy with a strong empirical foundation that is used to treat a wide range of conditions. These are some contexts where DBT is frequently used:

  • Behavioral skills are taught to patients in a group setting during group therapy.
  • When a patient is receiving individual therapy from a qualified professional, their newly acquired behavioral skills are customized to meet the unique challenges in their own lives.
  • Patients who participate in phone coaching can call their therapist in between sessions to get advice on how to handle a trying circumstance they are currently in.

DBT focuses on acquiring and utilizing four fundamental skills.

The goal of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is to teach patients how to live their best, most fruitful lives. DBT is frequently used to treat PTSD or emotional abuse, addictions, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, and depression.

To assist you in problem-solving and dealing with problems, you should master the following four core skill sets:

  • Being able to observe yourself and your surroundings without passing judgment is acknowledged as mindfulness, which is a core skill in DBT. You will learn more about the mental and physical factors that set off irrational emotions.
  • Deal with painful situations with distress tolerance. Learn to tolerate, accept, and move on from a situation when you are powerless to change it.
  • Emotion regulation is the process of controlling your emotions. Learn how to change an emotion from one that isn't helpful to one that is by recognizing when it occurs.
  • Change your communication style to get more from your relationships by developing your interpersonal skills. Learn how to express your desires. Become accustomed to rejecting requests.

Stages of DBT

Four stages of treatment are also used to divide dialectical behavior therapy.

Stage 1: At the beginning of treatment, the most severe and self-destructive behaviors are addressed. This may involve issues like suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors.

Stage 2: After that, the focus of treatment shifts to problems that have an impact on a person's quality of life, like their capacity for interacting with others, emotional control, and tolerating discomfort.

Stage 3: The focus now shifts to problems with self-esteem and social interactions.

Stage 4: At this stage, treatment focuses on assisting patients in making the most of their lives, including identifying strategies for enhancing happiness, preserving relationships, and pursuing their life goals.

The benefits of dialectical behavior therapy

To achieve positive changes in the person receiving treatment, the patient and therapist in DBT work to overcome the apparent conflict between self-acceptance and change. Offering validation is a step in this process that encourages cooperation and reduces anxiety associated with the prospect of change.

Although each therapeutic environment has its own set of rules and objectives, DBT elements can be found in group psychotherapy, individual psychotherapy, and telephone coaching.

Change and acceptance: You'll discover methods for tolerating your feelings, circumstances in life, and even yourself. Additionally, you will learn abilities that will enable you to alter your behavior and social interactions for the better.

Behavioral: You'll learn to identify issues or harmful behavior patterns and swap them out for more beneficial and productive ones.

Cognitive: You'll focus on changing negative or ineffective beliefs and thoughts.

Collaboration: It will teach you how to work as a team and communicate clearly (therapist, group therapist, and psychiatrist).

Skills sets: Your skill sets will grow as you pick up new abilities.

Support: You'll be prompted to acknowledge and build upon your positive traits and strengths.

If you find yourself struggling with managing your emotions, coping with stress, or facing challenges in your relationships, seeking help from online counselors or therapists trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can be a valuable resource. Online counseling platforms like TalktoAngel offer convenient access to the top psychologists in India who specialize in DBT and can provide individualized support tailored to your specific needs and goals. Through structured therapy sessions, you can learn and practice DBT skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, all from the comfort and privacy of your own home. By reaching out for support from online counselors, you're taking an important step towards enhancing your emotional well-being and living a more fulfilling life.

Contribution: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist,  & Ms. Swati Yadav, Psychologist