Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) was devised by Marsha M. Linehan, a Psychology researcher at the University of Washington.
DBT uses techniques focused on problem-solving, changing behavioural and thinking patterns, interpersonal effectiveness, assertiveness and coping with conflict, among others.
Its strategies are useful in helping you to get ‘unstuck’ from ingrained perspectives and help open you up to new ways of interpreting situations and experiencing life.
DBT combines emotion regulation, reality-testing, distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness derived from Buddhist meditation.
It was originally developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder sufferers, who are notoriously hard to treat – but it was found to be so effective that it is now used to treat various symptoms and behaviours, such as:
- Mood disorders
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Drug and alcohol problems
- Self-harm
DBT can be used to change any behaviour that is not serving you to meet your long-term goals.
