Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT was developed by Marsha Linehan, PhD., and focuses on balancing the dialectic of change and acceptance with elements of mindfulness.

• DBT aims to target difficult emotions that sometimes cause maladaptive coping methods, such as life to not feel worth living.

• DBT is effective through enhancing one’s awareness and the development of skills through the 4 modules: Core Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Distress Tolerance.

• DBT is designed for those who harm themselves — sometimes diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but has been empirically supported and successfully used to treat Mood Disorders, such as Bipolar and Depression, Eating Disorders, and Substance Use Disorders.

There are 3 components of Full-Model DBT:

• Individual Therapy — weekly 55-minute sessions in which client and clinician review diary cards, engage in behavior chain analyses, and together, problem solve solutions to decrease unwanted behaviors and increase helpful ones to enhance the client’s life.

• Skills Training Group Therapy — weekly 90-minute group therapy meetings — members participate in a group format to learn Skills within the 4 modules of DBT.

  ** Adult DBT Skills Group in Durham — Currently Open via telepsych*

• Phone Coaching — part of treatment designed to help generalize skills learned in group, DBT clients have access to their individual therapist for a brief phone call/text when they are unable to identify a skill or during a crisis situation.