Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a structured, practical form of therapy that can help you manage intense emotions, difficult relationships and behaviours that may be causing problems in your life.
DBT combines acceptance and compassion with learning practical skills to help you make meaningful changes.
This therapeutic model was developed by American psychologist Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s. She developed the approach while working with people for whom existing behavioural approaches were not always sufficient.
The term dialectical refers to bringing together ideas that can initially seem to be opposites – particularly acceptance and change.
Acceptance and change can go hand in hand.
DBT holds two things at once: accepting yourself and your experiences as they are, while also learning skills to make meaningful changes. Rather than choosing one over the other, we work with both.
Sessions will be collaborative, practical and focused on the difficulties that are most important to you. We might explore situations that trigger strong emotions, patterns in relationships, impulsive behaviours, or ways of coping that bring short-term relief but create longer-term difficulties.
I often incorporate DBT skills into another therapy model, such as within the structure of CAT, so you can take away practical skills that apply directly to your situation and your life. DBT-informed individual therapy draws on DBT principles and skills without providing the full comprehensive DBT programme.
DBT skills may be helpful if you:
DBT has been adapted for a range of difficulties, including depression, eating difficulties, emotionally unstable personality disorder and other difficulties associated with intense emotional responses.
Contact Dr Jen today to talk about whether DBT skills could help you.
