Navigating Emotions
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach designed to empower individuals facing mental health challenges by equipping them with practical skills to navigate their emotions and interpersonal relationships. Rooted in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT offers a comprehensive toolkit for individuals to better understand and manage their thoughts and feelings.
By fostering a balance between acceptance and change, DBT encourages individuals to acknowledge and validate their emotions while simultaneously developing strategies to modify negative behavioral patterns.
While initially developed for patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy has been equally as effective for treating a variety of other mental health conditions, including suicidal behaviour, self-harm, addictions, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and eating disorders (source: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health).
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) was developed by Dr. Marsha M. Linehan in the late 1980s as a specialized form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Initially created to address individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), DBT has since evolved into a widely recognized and effective treatment for various mental health conditions characterized by emotional dysregulation. Dr. Linehan, a psychologist and researcher, drew inspiration from her own experiences with mental health and combined Eastern philosophical principles, such as dialectics and mindfulness, with Western psychological theories to create a comprehensive and holistic approach.
DBT has been shown to decrease suicidal thoughts, reduce distress in patients with depression and PTSD, and is successful at assisting patients with developing healthier relationships and coping mechanisms (source: National Library of Medicine).