DBT - Dialectical Behavorial Therapy

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a treatment method developed by Marsha M. Linehan, a psychology researcher at the University of Washington, to effectively work with persons with borderline personality disorder (BPD). DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral therapy skills and techniques with the practice of mindfulness. In addition to the treatment of BPD, DBT has proven to be empirically effective in the treatment of depression and has found to be beneficial for clients with a spectrum of mood disorders and eating disorders. It can successfully target and reduce self destructive behaviors, including substance abuse.

DBT includes a combination of group skills training, individual psychotherapy and phone coaching. Clients in DBT are asked to monitor their symptoms and use of learned skills daily, while their progress is tracked throughout therapy. Because of the multiple modalities involved with DBT, it can require a significant commitment of time and financial resources. At the initial stage of treatment, this structure will be clearly outlined. The research that has yielded empirical evidence of success in treatment, has been done with clients maintaining adherence to treatment plans and schedules. Clients are asked to make a minimum commitment of 8 weeks of treatment to successfully address atleast one module of DBT

There are four main types of skills (modules) that are covered in DBT skills training. These are:

• Mindfulness Meditation Skills. These skills center on learning to observe, describe and participate in all experiences (including thoughts, sensations, emotions and things happening externally in the environment) without judging these experiences as "good" or "bad." These are considered "core" skills that are necessary in order to implement the other DBT skills successfully.

• Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills. The focus of this skill module is on learning to successfully assert your needs and to manage conflict in relationships.

• Distress Tolerance Skills. The distress tolerance skills module promotes learning ways to accept and tolerate distress without doing anything that will make the distress worse in the long run (e.g., engaging in self-harm).

• Emotion Regulation Skills. In this module, patients learn to identify and manage emotional reactions.

If you are interested in learning more about DBT or would like to schedule an introductory appointment, please call Rebecca Kullback LCSW-C at 301-654-7770