Dialectical Behavior Therapy Workbook

Summary

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be described as an evidence form of psychotherapy that was aimed at treating borderline personality disorder. It is also known as emotional instability disorder. DBT has been known for formidable success stories in the field of psychology. The success of the therapy has been witnessed in treating suicidal ideation, mood disorders, and shift in behavioral pattern. The shift in the behavioral pattern has been widely used in helping people quit use of harmful substances such as alcohol and drugs abuse. The modern form of DBT was developed in the late years of 1980s. The innovation was done by a psychology researcher at University of Washington known as Marsha Linehan. The recent research conducted has proven that Dialectical Behavior Therapy can be able to help people who have survived from sexual abuse. There are several elements of this process that is derived from Buddhist meditative practices.  Patients are encouraged to view therapists as allies which undergoing DBT sessions. The function of this step is to eradicate the thoughts of therapists being adversaries during treatment of psychological complications. On the other hand, a therapist is tasked with roles of accepting and validating a patient opinion at any given time.  The therapist goes ahead to inform the patient of some thoughts and feelings being normal. These kinds of feelings and emotion tend to maladaptive. The client is then guided by the therapists in adopting better alternatives to help treat the condition. The process helps to achieve the goal of DBT since the patient able to gain new skills and changes in behavior which help in achieving a life that is worthy.  Four components of dialectical behavior therapy: Individual: The client and therapist discuss matters that happen over the week which is recorded down. This is followed by a treatment target that is hierarchical. The conditions which are prioritized first include suicidal behaviors and self-injurious behaviors.  The reason why they are given first priority is that they are life-threatening behaviors. Second priority forms of behaviors that are handled are those that are not directly harmful to a patient or those who surround him/her. These behaviors have an impact of just distorting the process a person is undergoing. Therefore, they are termed by psychologists as therapy-interfering behaviors.  Group: A group, once formed, is supposed to meet once or twice in a week. These sessions are required to last for an estimated time of two or two-and-a-half hours. The group members are taught how to use specific skill sets in life. These skill sets are broken down into four modules that include distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, core mindfulness, and emotion regulation.    Therapist consolation team: Therapists providing DBT sessions form a team, which is known as a therapist consultation team. The team holds meetings on a weekly basis. These meetings have the main purpose of supporting therapists who offer these services to clients.  Phone coaching: Phone coaching is a modern form of DBT session.

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