Definition:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an adaptation of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) designed specifically as a treatment for individuals with self-harmful behaviors, such as cutting, and suicidal thoughts, urges and/or suicide attempts. Many clients with these behaviors meet criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It is not unusual for individuals diagnosed with BPD to also struggle with other problems – depression, bipolar disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or alcohol and drug problems.

One method for measuring the recovery progress of someone receiving DBT treatment is through repeated administrations of the Borderline Symptom List - 23. Comparing a baseline score obtained at treatment initiation with subsequent scores can be an indicator of the progress of the individual receiving DBT services, as well as the effectiveness of the practitioner delivering DBT services.

The four modules of DBT are mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation.

To learn more about DBT, click here.

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CBT cognitive behavioral therapy personality disorder Dialectical Behavior Therapy DBT BSL BSL-23