Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) can help with many mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety, as well as eating disorders, and even personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder and more. What is DBT? And how does it work? This guide will explain everything you need to know about this therapy, its goals and its methodology, so that you can decide whether it’s right for you or not.
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What Is DBT?
Dialectical behaviour therapy, or DBT for short, is a form of treatment that helps people with a range of mental health conditions to learn how to regulate their emotions and behaviours. It was first developed in the 1980s by Marsha Linehan, who initially used it as an intervention for women at high risk of suicide. DBT is a structured programme that includes four modules: mindfulness skills, interpersonal effectiveness skills, distress tolerance skills and emotion regulation skills.
Who Can Use DBT?
DBT has been proven to be one of the most effective treatments for borderline personality disorder. DBT can also help people with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. The treatment starts by teaching clients four skills: Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Distress Tolerance. Clients are taught these skills through a series of exercises that are done each week during therapy sessions. When clients practice these skills, they will start to feel more in control of their thoughts, emotions and behaviour.
How Does It Work?
DBT is a psychotherapy that has been extensively studied and found to be effective in treating a variety of mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder. The therapy teaches skills and strategies for managing emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. DBT consists of four modules: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation and distress tolerance. In DBT skills training groups, clients meet weekly with a therapist to learn different skills from the four modules. Clients are encouraged to practice these skills between sessions, with their therapist checking in on how they’re doing. Sessions also focus on teaching clients how to solve problems without acting impulsively or emotionally. Emphasis is placed on balancing acceptance and change, as well as looking at challenges as being an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
Should You Seek Help from a Therapist?
If you are struggling with your mental health and need help, we highly recommend looking into dialectical behaviour therapy. It is a type of therapy that teaches skills to regulate your emotions, thoughts, and behaviours while also teaching you how to accept reality even if it is difficult.
DBT has been shown to be very effective in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
Where Do I Get Started?
It’s important to remember that DBT is a treatment for people who are struggling with mental health issues. It doesn’t matter if you have depression, anxiety, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, or any other diagnosis. What matters is that you’re trying to find a way to make your life better for you. There are many training courses that will give you a better understanding of the subject, leaving room to help you and others.
