Your Ultimate Guide To Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

What is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy?

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that was developed specifically to treat Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, it has also been shown to be effective for treating a variety of other mental health conditions, including eating disorders, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

DBT is based on the idea that people with BPD and other mental health conditions often have difficulty balancing two opposing forces: acceptance and change. On the one hand, they need to accept themselves for who they are, but on the other hand, they may also need to make changes in their behaviour in order to live a more fulfilling life.

Our compassionate team of therapists offers DBT as a tailored treatment option, designed to meet your specific needs. If you or a loved one is facing challenges related to mental health or behaviour, take the first step by making a referral today.

DBT teaches people skills to help them manage their emotions, regulate their behaviour, and build effective relationships. The four core skills of DBT are:

• Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgement. It can help people to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.
• Distress tolerance: Distress tolerance skills help people to cope with difficult emotions and situations in a healthy way. This may include skills such as distraction, relaxation, and self-soothing.
• Emotion regulation: Emotion regulation skills help people to identify, manage, and express their emotions in a healthy way. This may include skills such as challenging unhelpful thoughts, changing unhelpful behaviours, and accepting difficult emotions.
• Interpersonal effectiveness: Interpersonal effectiveness skills help people to communicate their needs and wants in a clear and assertive way, while also respecting the needs and wants of others. This may include skills such as saying no, setting boundaries, and asking for help.

DBT is typically delivered in a group setting, but it can also be provided individually. Group therapy can provide people with the opportunity to learn from and support each other. Individual therapy can provide people with the opportunity to work on their specific goals and challenges.

What is the difference between CBT & DBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) are both types of psychotherapy that can be helpful for a variety of mental health conditions. However, there are some key differences between the two approaches.

CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts and behaviours. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are all interconnected, and that by changing our thoughts and behaviours, we can also change our feelings. CBT is typically a short-term therapy, with most people seeing benefits within a few weeks or months.

DBT is a more specific type of CBT. DBT focuses on helping people to manage their emotions, regulate their behaviour, and build effective relationships. 

Here is a table that summarises the key differences between CBT and DBT:

What are the key concepts of DBT?

The key concepts of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) are:

• Acceptance: DBT teaches people to accept themselves for who they are, including their flaws and imperfections. This is not the same as giving up or resigning oneself to a life of misery. Rather, it means accepting reality so that one can move forward and make changes.
• Change: DBT also teaches people how to change their behaviour in order to improve their lives. This may involve changing unhelpful habits, developing new skills, or learning to manage emotions in a more effective way.
• Dialectics: DBT is a dialectical therapy, which means that it recognises that opposite forces can be true at the same time. For example, a person may need to accept themselves for who they are while also striving to make changes in their lives.
• Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a core skill in DBT. It involves paying attention to the present moment without judgement. Mindfulness can help people to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.
• Distress tolerance: Distress tolerance skills help people to cope with difficult emotions and situations in a healthy way. This may include skills such as distraction, relaxation, and self-soothing.
• Emotion regulation: Emotion regulation skills help people to identify, manage, and express their emotions in a healthy way. This may include skills such as challenging unhelpful thoughts, changing unhelpful behaviours, and accepting difficult emotions.
• Interpersonal effectiveness: Interpersonal effectiveness skills help people to communicate their needs and wants in a clear and assertive way, while also respecting the needs and wants of others. This may include skills such as saying no, setting boundaries, and asking for help.

What personality order is DBT for?

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has also been shown to be effective for treating a variety of other personality disorders, including:

• Avoidant personality disorder
• Dependent personality disorder
• Histrionic personality disorder
• Narcissistic personality disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
• Schizoid personality disorder

DBT is also effective for treating a variety of other mental health conditions, including:

• Eating disorders
• Substance abuse
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders

DBT is a comprehensive therapy that teaches people skills to manage their emotions, regulate their behaviour, and build effective relationships. It is a challenging but effective form of therapy that can help people to make significant changes in their lives and achieve their goals.

What is the success rate of DBT?

The success rate of DBT depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the client’s condition, their motivation to change, and the quality of the therapy they receive. However, studies have shown that DBT can be very effective for treating a variety of mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), eating disorders, and substance abuse.

One study found that up to 77% of people with BPD who completed a year of DBT therapy no longer met the criteria for the disorder. Another study found that DBT was more effective than other treatments for reducing self-injurious behaviours in people with BPD.

DBT has also been shown to be effective for treating eating disorders and substance abuse. One study found that DBT was more effective than other treatments for reducing binge eating and purging behaviours in people with bulimia nervosa. 

Another study found that DBT was more effective than other treatments for reducing drug use and relapse rates in people with opioid use disorder. 

Overall, DBT is a highly effective therapy for treating a variety of mental health conditions. It is important to note that DBT is not a quick fix. It takes time and effort to learn and implement the skills taught in DBT. However, for people who are willing to commit to the therapy, DBT can lead to significant improvements in their lives.

Here are some additional resources that may be helpful:

• Australian Psychological Society
• Beyond Blue
• Headspace
• Black Dog Institute
• SANE Australia