Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioural treatment developed by Marsha Linehan, a professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle (USA). It was originally designed for individuals with parasuicidal or suicidal behaviours, later applied to individuals with borderline personality disorder, then adapted to other conditions where emotional dysregulation plays a significant role, such as eating disorders, substance and alcohol dependence, and treatment-resistant depression. DBT ‘s primary objective is to guide individuals in accepting and regulating these emotions, empowering them to modify any behaviour that might be detrimental or unhealthy.

The term "dialectical" in DBT signifies the merging of opposites, reflecting the integration of two essential ideas—change and acceptance. The core objectives of DBT are centred around teaching individuals how to live in the present moment, cultivate healthy coping mechanisms for stress, manage their emotions more effectively, and enhance their relationships with others. In the course of DBT, individuals strive to find a balance between acceptance (acknowledging their emotions and self) and change (implementing positive alterations in behaviour and life). While CBT primarily concentrates on altering unhelpful thought patterns, DBT identifies unhealthy patterns, and introduces additional elements to CBT such as mindfulness, acceptance, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills.

This comprehensive approach equips individuals with a broader set of tools to navigate difficult situations.

DBT is included in the Guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association (2001) and in the NICE Guidelines (2009) among the 'Evidence-Based' therapies for the treatment of borderline personality disorder."