Dialectical Behavioural therapy is a famous evidence-based approach and Psychotherapy that helps individuals to manage emotions. Therapy also helps to manage stress and works on relationship management. The therapy was first introduced to treat Borderline Personality Disorder.
But at present, DBT therapy is also used in treating other psychological issues. This therapy technique especially helps in learning better emotional regulation skills. The word dialectical means balancing two opposite perspectives. It focuses on helping people understand the ideas of acceptance and change. Through this therapy, individuals learn to accept themselves and also work on changing unhelpful behaviours and patterns that could be hindering their progress.
DBT Therapy combines cognitive behavioural therapy techniques with mindfulness practice. It emphasizes on making people learn practical skills to manage life challenges. It also helps in reducing impulsive actions. Four important areas of DBT are:
- Emotional regulation teaches a person to identify and cope with difficult emotions. You learn coping skills to decrease emotional responses. This area empowers you to increase positive emotions, seek positive experiences and respond to situations in healthy ways.
- Mindfulness: Empowers you to live in the present moment. It teaches us to practise non-judgement of thoughts and emotions. This technique helps in incre4asing self reflection, decrease overthinking.
- Distress Tolerance: This technique teaches to handle painful emotions. You improve your resilience of handling difficult situations. Some of the techniques include deep breathing, distractions and self-soothing methods
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: This area teaches us to build stronger relationships. We learn how to maintain good communication skills and set boundaries. It empowers clients to learn assertiveness. It teaches us conflict resolution.
This therapy can be given through individual sessions, group therapies and telehealth counselling. DBT is also used for people who have self-harming behaviours. Therapy places importance on maintaining emotional stability. It is a highly structured therapy and is skill-based
. Dialectical Behavioural Therapy is an effective treatment for people who are dealing with emotional difficulties and interpersonal problems. When we combine acceptance and change, we can achieve greater emotional stability.
DBT Therapies encourages personal growth, resilience and adaptive coping. I prefer using mindfulness and emotional regulation as my coping tools. What would you prefer?
MBH/PS