Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a specialized, evidence-based form of psychotherapy developed in the 1970s and 1980s by Marsha Linehan. It is primarily used for patients with severe emotional dysregulation, most notably for borderline personality disorder, but it has also been adapted for the treatment of other mental health conditions such as depression, eating disorders, and substance use disorders[1][3][4]. DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches for emotion regulation with concepts of acceptance and change. Core treatment components include skills training in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT is structured as an outpatient therapy and typically involves weekly individual therapy, skills-training group sessions, telephone consultation, and therapist consultation meetings[5][6][7]. The "dialectical" aspect refers to synthesizing opposing strategies (acceptance and change), aiming to help patients develop skills for managing intense emotions and reduce ineffective behaviors[1][2][4][5][6][7].

Other names

DBTDialectical behaviour therapyDialectical behavior therapy intervention