Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Posted 27-02-2013

In the late 1980’s Marsha M. Linehan developed a type of therapy to address the needs of women suffering from suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, or tendencies to self-harm. She began treating individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder. This therapy was called “Dialectical Behavior Therapy” or DBT and it researched the environmental and biological factors that may cause some people to respond to emotional states quickly.

Individuals who benefit from this therapy include those who’ve suffered crises and severely shifting emotional peaks and valleys. DBT teaches coping techniques that were not developed during their childhood. Borderline and suicidal individuals are emotionally intense, experiencing severe emotions like anger, frustration, depression, and anxiety. Learning to regulate emotions can positively affect their well-being.

Linhan developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy to center around Five Core Criterion:

1) Expands and sustains the motivation the client possesses to transform

2) Provides the opportunity for the client’s skills to be further developed

3) Assimilates the client’s new skill set to be applicable in relevant circumstances

4) Develops the therapist’s own abilities and increases the desire to effectively treat people

5) Provides a nonjudgmental and secure environment for the healing process

Group therapy, phone conversations, coaching, and additional at home tasks play a key part in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Frequent consultations are required. The therapy structure can include family members to measure and promote progress, and track responses in the home.

The Villa Orlando and Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge are adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment centers for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 877-845-5235 for more information.

Sources:

• http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/suicide
• http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/self-harm
• http://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/dialectical-behavioral-therapy
• http://www.goodtherapy.org/coaching.html
• http://www.goodtherapy.org/group-therapy.html