Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is an approach based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), originally developed by Marsha Linehan to treat problems related to Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT focuses on balancing opposite positions, acceptance and change, it helps on both making helpful changes in your life and accepting yourself for who you are.
DBT sees BPD as a problem of emotional dysregulation and lack of skills. Therefore, this approach includes developing skills in four different areas:
- Mindfulness: It helps to focus on the present in a non-judgemental way and take care of what is happening here and now.Mindfulness is an essential skill to deal with intense emotions in a more calm and less destructive way.
- Distress Tolerance: This teaches a range of skills to deal with intense and painful emotions.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: It helps identifying our needs in relationships and developing strategies to have them met in an effective, respectful and healthy way.
- Emotional Regulation: This helps understanding and dealing with overwhelming emotions without acting on them.
