Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a subtype of therapy that was developed from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Like CBT, DBT focuses on unhealthy thinking patterns, the precipitating events that trigger an emotional response, regulating these emotional and physiological responses, and in turn, learning ways to manage and cope with these thoughts, physiological reactions, and emotions to decrease their negative behavioral patterns.
The difference between the two therapies is that DBT focuses on the change and acceptance, the importance of the balance between the acceptance and change, and focusing on the individual’s social and emotional aspects. DBT is an evidence-based therapy developed to assist people suffering from mood disorders, personality disorders, and suicidal ideation.
The Effects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Studies have shown that DBT is an effective form of therapy that has helped many people with a range of symptoms from personality disorders and depression to complex trauma. There are four components to this therapeutic approach; emotion regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. These components work together to help individuals that may be suffering from intense emotions to lessen the emotional distress they are experiencing. They help to give individuals skills in order to decrease the impact those negative emotions have and the way individuals interact within their environments.