Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

2641 Words6 Pages

Description of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment developed by Marsha M. Linehan for the treatment of complex, difficult-to-treat mental disorders. Originally, DBT was developed to treat individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD; Carson-Wong, Rizvi, & Steffel, 2013; Scheel, 2000). However, DBT has evolved into a treatment for multi-disordered individuals with BPD. In addition, DBT has been adapted for the treatment of other behavioral disorders involving emotional dysregulation, for example, substance abuse, binge eating, and for settings, such as inpatient and partial hospitalization. Dimeff and Linehan (2001) described five functions involved in comprehensive DBT treatment. The first function DBT serves is enhancing behavioral capabilities. Secondly, it improves motivation to change by modifying inhibitions and reinforcement. Third, it assures that new capabilities can be generalize to the natural environment. Fourth, DBT structures the treatment environment in the ways essential to support client and therapist capabilities. Finally, DBT enhances therapist capabilities and motivation to treat clients effectively. In standard DBT, these functions are divided into modes for treatment (Dimeff & Linehan, Dialectical behavior therapy in a nutshell, 2001). Historical Development/Current use of groups Linehan addressed the need for effective and empirically supported psychotherapeutic treatment for borderline personality disorder. She discovered important shortcomings in standard cognitive and behavioral (CBT) treatments (Chapman & Robins, 2004). DBT was developed to address difficulties faced when implementing standard CBT to ... ... middle of paper ... ...f dialectical behavior therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder on inpatient units . Psychiatric Quarterly . Kliem, S., Kosfelder, J., & Kroger, C. (2010). Dialectical behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder: a meta analysis using mixed effect modeling . Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology . Koerner, K., Swenson, C. R., & Torrey, W. C. (2002). Implementing Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Psychiatry Services. Koerner, K., Swenson, C. R., & Torrey, W. C. (2002). Implementing dialectical behavior therapy . Psychiatric Services . Korman, L. M., & McMain, S. (2001). Dialectical behavior therapy and the treatment of emotion dysregulation. Psychotherapy in Practice, 183-196. Scheel, K. R. (2000). The empirical basis of dialectical behavior therapy: summary, critique, and implications . Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice .

Open Document