What is DBT?

DBT stands for Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It’s a type of evidence-based psychotherapy developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the late 1980s, originally to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), but it’s now used for a range of mental health issues.

Core Purpose: DBT helps people who experience intense emotions, impulsive behaviors, life-threatening behaviors, and/or difficulty maintaining relationships. It's especially useful for individuals who feel stuck in cycles of emotional distress.

The Core Components of DBT | MARSHA LINEHAN

DBT was originally developed for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder, but it has since been adapted for a wide range of mental health challenges, including:

  • Borderline, Narcissistic, Antisocial, and Histrionic Personality Disorders

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Eating disorders

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Substance use issues

  • Mood disorders, including Bipolar Disorder

Who Can Benefit from DBT?

DBT House of Treatment Guide - click here

Key Features of DBT

1

Dialectics

Dialectics is the ability to hold two seemingly opposing truths at the same time — for example, “I’m doing the best I can, and I can do better.” DBT is grounded in this balance between acceptance and change.

2

Four Core Skills

  • Mindfulness: Staying present and aware in the moment, without judgment

  • Distress Tolerance: Managing crisis situations without making them worse

  • Emotion Regulation: Understanding, reducing, and navigating intense emotions

  • Interpersonal Effectiveness: Communicating needs and setting boundaries while maintaining self-respect and healthy relationships

3

Structure of Adherent DBT

  • Individual Therapy: Weekly one-on-one sessions focused on applying DBT to real-life challenges

  • Skills Training Groups: Weekly classes that teach and practice DBT skills in a supportive group setting

  • Phone Coaching: Real-time support between sessions to help use skills when they’re most needed

  • Consultation Team: A support system for DBT therapists to maintain fidelity and stay effective

4

Stages of Treatment

  • Stage 1: Establishing behavioral stability and reducing life-threatening or self-destructive behaviors

  • Stage 2: Addressing past trauma, emotional pain, and ongoing suffering

  • Stage 3: Building a life worth living through goal-setting, self-respect, and emotional balance

  • Stage 4: Exploring deeper meaning, connection, and fulfillment in life