Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a treatment developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan at the University of Washington. DBT is a form of behavior therapy and aims to understand how presenting problems are learned and maintained. DBT focuses on helping people change by replacing ineffective ways of coping with more effective ways of coping. Individuals in DBT commonly experience difficulties regulating emotions (including having intense emotions which may fluctuate quickly), difficulties managing anger, problems in relationships, and impulsive behaviors (including suicidal and self-harm behaviors).

DBT blends behavior therapy strategies with acceptance and validation strategies. Acceptance and validation strategies involve communicating to individuals that they are doing the best they can and that their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors make sense and are understandable given their learning history or present circumstances. DBT also emphasizes “Dialectics,” which means that two i that seem like opposites or are in tension with one another can both be true at the same time. One of the core dialectics in DBT is acceptance and change. For example, clients in DBT often need to learn to accept how they experience emotions (e.g., being quick to feel emotion and experiencing emotion to a high degree) AND need to learn strategies to change and cope with their emotions.

DBT is an “evidence-based” treatment, which means that it has been researched in clinical trials and, in general, appears as effective or more effective than other psychotherapies for reducing certain problems associated with difficulties regulating emotions. Most research has been done on Comprehensive DBT, which consists of four components: Skills Group, Individual Therapy, Phone Coaching, and Therapist Consultation team. For some problems, modifications of Comprehensive DBT are appropriate (e.g., Skills Group only).

DBT is also flexible and principle-driven. This means that therapists strive to modify and individualize treatment to the present needs and life goals of each client, given their particular social context and life history, rather than providing a “once-size-fits-all” therapy.

DBT Skills Group (Wed, 8-10am)

Teaching DBT skills in a group format provides a more efficient and cost-effective for clients to grow their repertoire of coping strategies. Additionally, clients report benefiting deeply from the support and understanding they receive from their fellow group members. It takes six months to cycle through the complete skills curriculum. The curriculum covers 4 content areas:

• Mindfulness: this set of skills involves maintaining a focused awareness of the present moment, which helps people gain greater control of their minds and decrease suffering.

• Distress Tolerance: this module helps people develop strategies to get through painful moments without engaging in behaviors that make the situation worse and to accept painful realities.

• Emotion Regulation: this set of skills involves understanding how emotions work, increasing the ability to recognize emotions and to change unhelpful emotions, and developing skills for making individuals less vulnerable to intense, unwanted emotions in the first place.

• Interpersonal Effectiveness: this set of skills promotes developing strategies for communicating with others in a manner that increases the chances of getting one’ s needs met, while maintaining relationships and upholding one’s self-respect.
  

Presently, I am operating a DBT Skills Group for adults (age 18+) that takes place virtually from 8-10am on Wednesday mornings. To express interest in joining the group, please submit your request here.