Dialectical Behavior Therapy

What is DBT?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is considered to be the gold standard for treating individuals who have difficulties with emotional regulation and other complex challenges. Originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder, DBT has been adapted,studied, and found to be effective for helping adolescents dealing with multiple problems, including chronic difficulties with managing emotions, keeping healthy interpersonal relationships, tolerating distress, and engaging in impulsive behaviors. Many adolescents who have had success in DBT have had unsuccessful stints with other therapies. Research indicated DBT helps to reduce suicide attempts, self-harming behavior, and hospitalizations while improving social functioning, coping, and quality of life.

What are the components of DBT?

DBT is a comprehensive treatment that includes group therapy, individual therapy, and in-the-moment phone coaching. Group therapy focuses on teaching participants skills in mindfulness, tolerating painful emotions in difficult situations, interpersonal effectiveness, and managing emotions. Adolescents and one or both of their parents attend the weekly groups. During individual therapy, adolescents apply the skills they have learned in group to their specific challenges. Adolescents are encouraged to call their therapists between sessions for brief “coaching calls” during any challenging situations to discuss strategies to effectively cope. Through a supportiveand goal-oriented therapeutic environment, adolescents and their families will replace old and unhelpful habits with newer, healthier ways of thinking and acting.

Should you be considering DBT?

DBT treatment requires a more intense time commitment than some other forms of therapy. Specifically, it requires attendance at weekly group therapy for the adolescent and parent(s) and weekly individual therapy. This intensive format is necessary to treat the problems that DBT addresses.

Some of the common challenges seen among individuals who may benefit from DBT include the following:

  • Mood swings
  • Anger problems
  • Ups and downs in relationships
  • Thoughts that you would be better off dead
  • Multiple suicide attempts
  • Self-injurious behaviors (e.g., cutting)
  • Problematic behaviors such as binging and/or purging or skipping school
  • Intense feelings of emptiness
  • Dissociation or fear that others are purposely out to harm you
  • Lack of compliance or motivation in previous treatments
  • Previous therapy did not work for you