Business and Management

What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was developed in the early 1990s from the work of Marsha Linehan, Ph.D. (1993a). Linehan, a cognitive-behavioral psychologist by training, formed the principles, theory, and strategies underlying DBT while working primarily with women who were suicidal and engaged in self-harming behaviors.

In initially approaching treatment from a strict cognitive-behavioral perspective, Linehan found these techniques deficient in working with people with multi-problematic high-risk behaviors. Over time Linehan made adaptations to her work to address these shortcomings. It is these adaptations that developed into DBT.  Today, this therapy is more commonly used for treating various mental health disorders. People struggling with mental illness can seek help from the best DBT therapists via https://villagecounselingandwellness.com/therapy-services/.

DBT preserves the cognitive-behavioral focus on changing problem thoughts and behaviors, particularly in the skills training aspect of treatment. However, it also emphasizes acceptance and validation strategies designed to recognize the difficulty of change, which can help people stay open to and engaged in the process of change.

Underlying Theory of DBT

DBT understands behaviors in terms of the bio-social theory. According to this theory, our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are closely linked– a thought triggers an emotion, which influences behavior, which leads to another emotion, then another thought in an ongoing cycle or like links in a chain, one leading to the next.

Our individual experience of this cycle or chain of feeling thought and behavior and, in particular, the emotional aspect of this cycle is influenced by our biology, as well as our social history.

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