Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was originally developed in the 1970s by psychologist Marsha Linehan, but it wasn’t until recently that it became more mainstream. DBT has only really started to become well-known in the last five years or so, but it has gained traction with healthcare providers and the general public alike, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most common forms of therapy available today. Here’s everything you need to know about DBT, including how it works and why it’s rising in popularity.
1) What is DBT?
The goal of DBT is to help people replace unhealthy coping mechanisms with healthy ones. Treatment consists primarily of individual psychotherapy and skills training groups that cover a variety of topics, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The ultimate goal is not just for clients to master new skills but also to alter their perceptions of situations so they can respond in more positive ways than before they began treatment. Researchers haven’t determined exactly how DBT accomplishes these goals yet—and in fact, some aspects are still being developed—but they do know it works. Several studies have shown that its effectiveness compares favourably with cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in treating clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), which was previously thought to be untreatable
2) How Does DBT Help?
DBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps those suffering from mental illness, such as anxiety and depression. DBT was developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, who has been working in the field of psychology for over 40 years. She focused on creating a structured form of therapy for patients who were at risk for suicide and re-hospitalization because no other programs worked for them. The program focuses on four areas: interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and mindfulness skills. All four areas work together to prevent future episodes and keep people stable and happy with their lives.
3) Why DBT Training Is On The Rise
At a time when therapy is growing more and more popular, there’s one type that seems to be rising above all others. In 2012, an estimated 3.5 million Americans were using DBT treatment as a way to overcome various forms of emotional dysfunction, with around 90% of those people going through some form of group therapy. That might not seem like a large number, but what’s most telling is how quickly DBT has caught on: since 1990, its use has increased 10-fold. What explains such widespread popularity? The answer lies in DBT’s dual focus on cognitive interventions and distress tolerance techniques. Both help empower individuals by teaching them skills that can be used in everyday life. Learning these skills provides immediate relief for many patients struggling with severe mental health issues, including depression and borderline personality disorder (BPD).