By Taivan Acer
Dialectical behavior therapy, sometimes known as DBT, is a talk therapy designed for those prone to powerful emotional experiences. Those with borderline personality disorder frequently participate in this type of therapy; however, therapists also use it to treat other mental health issues.
A form of talk therapy is dialectical behavior therapy (often abbreviated as DBT) (psychotherapy). It is founded on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but it has been modified specifically for use with those who are prone to powerful feelings.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known simply as CBT, is a talk therapy that aims to educate patients on the relationship between their ideas, feelings, and actions.
Combining seemingly opposing viewpoints is what we mean when we say “dialectic.” The dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) approach helps people learn to accept the realities of their life and the behaviors they engage in and learn how to alter their lives, including the harmful behaviors they engage in.
Marsha Linehan, a licensed psychologist in the United States, was the pioneer in dialectical behavior therapy, founded in the 1970s.
How the DBT works
The primary objective of therapists who practice dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is to find a middle ground between the validation (acceptance) of your identity, the difficulties you face, and the advantages of making changes. Your therapist will assist you in developing new abilities to regulate your feelings better to aid you.
However, in general, dialectical behavior therapy consists of the following four types of sessions:
- DBT pre-assessment.
- Treatment on an individual basis.
- Training of skills in a group setting.
- Telephone counseling for people in a crisis.
- DBT pre-assessment.
Before beginning DBT, your therapist could give you an assessment first. Through a series of questions and an explanation of how DBT operates, they will decide whether or not it is a good fit for you. If you conclude that DBT is the treatment you need, they will ask you to commit to the treatment and the amount of time that you will undergo it.
- Therapy on an individual basis.
Individual dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) often entails meeting with your therapist once per week. The length of time for each session ranges from forty to sixty minutes.
The following objectives are pursued during individual DBT therapy sessions:
- If it is relevant, to assist in keeping you safe by mitigating behaviors that could lead to suicide or self-harm.
- Putting a stop to habits that prevent effective therapy from taking place.
- To assist you in achieving your objectives and enhancing the quality of your life by helping you overcome the obstacles standing in the way of your success, such as problems with your mental health or relationships.
- To assist you in developing new abilities to take the place of detrimental behaviors.
Your therapist will most likely recommend that you keep a journal to record your thoughts and behaviors and analyze any recurring patterns of behavior. You will take this journal to each of your appointments with your therapist so that the two of you can discuss what you want to focus on during each session.
Wrapping up
The typical duration of dialectical behavior treatment (DBT) is between six and twelve months. However, because each person is different and mental health issues are complicated, After a year of DBT, you shouldn’t anticipate being free of symptoms or having troublesome behaviors.
