What is DBT? [Video]

what-is-dbt

What is DBT? [Transcript]

DBT is short for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. DBT is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches skills to apply to daily life. These skills help individuals learn how to regulate emotions and be more interpersonally effective. Individuals also learn how to be more mindful, gain insight and track what’s happening in the present.

Important concepts of DBT

DBT concepts build on mindfulness, which helps individuals gain insight about what relationships might or might not be working. It also helps individuals think about why they may hesitate to be assertive and ask for what they need. It also teaches how to be able to tolerate and understand that two perspectives can exist in the same space at the same time. For example, I can love my friend and feel that the relationship is very secure. And I can also feel really disappointed in them. I can communicate this to them and still hold the feeling that the relationship is still secure and safe.

Read about the everyday benefits of mindfulness

what-is-dbt

Who can benefit from DBT?

DBT was originally created by Marsha Linehan in 1987. The original data and research aimed to treat people living with Borderline Personality Disorder, one of the nine personality disorders. It is now applied to anyone experiencing mood lability, mood disturbances, issues around substance use, PTSD, anxiety, depression and anger management issues. To some degree, anyone can use these skills to improve their life experiences.

DBT Skills 

One of the basic and most important DBT skills is the concept of radical acceptance. This consists of simply accepting the current situation and your current experience of it as it is. It encourages individuals not to expend energy to deny or avoid. Instead, individuals can direct their energy towards acceptance. This helps individuals make well-informed decisions about what is going to best serve them.

Learn more about radical acceptance

Want to learn more about DBT Skills? You may want to consider working with a DBT-trained therapist. Click here to learn more!

Have you tried mindfulness? Leave your comments below!

Peter Devereaux
Latest posts by Peter Devereaux (see all)

2 comments

  1. Peter, thank you for your insight. Radical acceptance is hard & so necessary. The idea of accepting a situation/ experience instead of avoiding or denying it, really resonates with me.

  2. Two perspectives can exist in the same space and time” is a really powerful concept to me. Thank you for sharing this intro to DBT!

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