What Is DBT?
Dialectical behavior therapy is a mindfulness-based type of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to emphasize the psychosocial aspects of treatment. It focuses on social factors and individual thoughts and behaviors.
Some experts believe that certain people are predisposed to experiencing more intense emotional reactions to life situations. DBT is oriented around practical skills that can help them manage their emotions more effectively and identify negative self-talk and self-defeating behaviors. Together, the patient and therapist work as a team to identify and change these mental, emotional and behavioral patterns via healthy coping skills.
DBT Origins
Dialectical behavior therapy was developed in the 1980s by American psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan. She noticed that standard cognitive behavioral therapy wasn’t helping people who struggled with self-harm and chronic suicidal thoughts, especially those diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. DBT was created to fill that gap by blending CBT methods with acceptance strategies drawn from dialectical philosophy and mindfulness practices.
Over time, DBT has evolved to meet clinical needs and align with emerging research. There’s also been growing interest in using DBT skills alone. As DBT continues to expand into broader mental health care, it remains adaptable and responsive to the demands of patients and the healthcare system.
Who Is DBT For?
DBT was originally designed for individuals struggling with BPD, especially those with chronic self-harm or suicidal behaviors. It’s now widely used to support people experiencing intense emotional turmoil, including those with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and substance use issues. DBT helps teach practical skills like distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation and effective communication that help manage overwhelming feelings and strengthen relationships.
At FHE Health, we incorporate DBT throughout our programs. Examples of DBT include one-on-one sessions and group skills classes carefully formulated to cultivate emotional balance, coping skills and healthier relationships.
Benefits of DBT
DBT is effective at treating certain mental health symptoms, in particular and more specifically, difficulties in managing emotions, interpersonal and relationship challenges and maladaptive coping behaviors like disordered eating and suicidal thoughts.
At FHE, our consultation team of DBT therapists will determine whether you could benefit from this type of therapy. It aims to increase skills and aptitude in the following areas or “modules” (in DBT vocabulary):
- Mindfulness. Mindfulness is the act of being present with all one’s senses to what’s happening in the here and now. Mindfulness-based exercises teach how to nonjudgmentally observe and attend to your thoughts, emotions and behaviors in the moment so that over time, you can increase self-awareness and improve decision-making abilities.
- Distress tolerance. This term refers to one’s capacity to weather a crisis without making it worse through self-harm or other negative behaviors. The premise is that while you may not be able to control many of the stressful things that happen to you, you can learn to manage your response to these things in healthier ways using the various techniques of this module.
- Emotion regulation. The skills and education in this area are intended to help you manage your emotional triggers in healthier ways through positive self-talk, constructive behaviors and other coping mechanisms.
- Interpersonal effectiveness. In this module, patients learn how to express their needs in appropriate ways, set healthy boundaries and manage conflict, among other relational skills.
These four areas of focus in DBT might also be thought of as its core benefits. With practice and eventual mastery, they can improve the quality of life for those who struggle with managing emotions, maintaining relationships and/or thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Group Therapy Sessions in DBT
Group therapy plays a very important role in DBT but isn’t what many people have in mind when they think of psychotherapy. Unlike talk therapy, for example, DBT sessions are highly structured to review and reinforce the DBT tools and techniques introduced in group therapy.
Group therapy functions much like a small, supportive class where patients get to learn about the four modules and related tools and techniques. They’re assigned a homework assignment for the week that encourages them to apply one of these tools and techniques to a real-life situation and then reflect on their experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Building the Skills for Lasting Change
DBT has been shown to reduce harmful behaviors and promote healthier ways of coping. By learning key skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, many people can manage even complex mental health challenges.
At FHE Health, our dedicated DBT track offers the structure and support needed to put these skills into practice. Contact us today to learn more and find out if our program is the right fit for you.
