Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, was developed in 1993 by psychologist Marsha Linehan for use specifically with clients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), who cope with distressing emotions and situations by using self-destructive behaviours such as suicide and self-harming, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Linehan's assessment of the therapies available to BPD clients at the time was that traditional treatments were seriously inadequate. With two decades of research behind it, DBT is now considered the “gold standard” for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. BPD is a tough mental health condition to deal with, for all roles involved with it. Whether the affected person who comes to us is a BPD client, a carer for a person with BPD, or a colleague on the verge of burning out from the rigours of working with someone with this diagnosis, we can instil more hope, be more effective in a support role, and contribute more professionally if we know about what treatment works. That treatment is DBT, and this course is about the basics of it. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: cite the characteristics of DBT which set it apart from other therapies; discuss the main features of BPD which motivated Linehan's development of DBT; explain what “dialectical” means in the context of DBT work; list the four components of DBT treatment and explain what is involved in each; identify the four groups of skills taught in DBT group skills training; guide clients through a sample exercise for each of the four groups of skills.