DBT is closely related to CBT, and was initially developed by Marsha Linehan for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder who cope with distressing emotions and situations by using self-destructive behaviours such as self-harm, substance abuse and eating disorders. DBT is now being used for treating other mental health conditions.

Individuals learn more helpful coping skills to deal with distressing emotions and situations, and to improve their relationships.

Dialectics is the theory that opposites can co-exist. In therapy, different points of view are discussed, and clients are then helped to select appropriate skills to either change or accept situations.
 

 

 
WISE MIND
DBT uses the theory of Wise Mind (Linehan 1993) - the part of our mind where 'Emotional Mind' (thoughts based on our feelings) and 'Reasonable Mind' (rational thinking part) merge together.

Emotion Mind

Thinking and behaviour controlled by emotional state
Thoughts are unhelpful and distressing
Difficult to think logically and rationally
Facts are distorted to fit with current distress
Opinions
Strong emotions drive strong behaviour
What I want to do

Reasonable Mind

Intellectual, scientific
Logical and rational thinking
Factual thinking, based on evidence
Able to plan how to respond
Focuses attention
Cool in approaching problems
What I should do

Wise Mind

Integrates Emotion Mind and Reasonable Mind
Adds intuitive knowing to emotional distress and logical analysis
The calm that follows a storm
Sees or knows something directly and clearly
Grasps the bigger picture, rather than just parts
Ensures needs of both Emotion Mind and Reasonable Mind are met: Reasonable Mind is right, but Emotion Mind needs to be soothed
What's the most appropriate and effective skills that I could use for this situation?

When we feel upset or distressed, we normally react automatically, without thinking about the consequences. And we can often get into the habit of using unhelpful and often self-destructive behaviours to help us cope. These may include:

• Self-harm including cutting or taking overdoses
• Under or over-eating
• Using or relying on drugs and alcohol
• Depending on physical exercise
• Sleeping too much, or opting to sleep rather than address problems
• Focusing on illness and physical pain rather than the real issues

When we use these self-destructive coping behaviours, we often then get caught up in thinking we're bad for doing them, which makes us feel even worse, and may make us more likely to keep on doing them. A vicious cycle.

 

In order to break that cycle, we can learn to do doings differently, including learning new healthy coping skills which will help us feel better about ourselves and others, and learning to understand and see our thoughts differently.
 
 

More information:

• Wise Mind webpage

• Wise Mind Worksheet

• Dealing with Distress Worksheet

• Dealing with Distress Worksheet 2

• Dealing with Distress - an introduction to healthy coping strategies (Distress Tolerance, Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation & Interpersonal Effectiveness webpages combined in one 36 page downloadable booklet)

• Creating the Bridge to Middle Ground - explaining dialectics

• Mindfulness

• Distress Tolerance

• Emotion Regulation

• Interpersonal Effectiveness

Books

DBT� Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets

The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook: Practical DBT Exercises for Learning Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation ... Tolerance

DBT� Skills Training Manual

DBT Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Guide to Dialectical Behavior Therapy

The Expanded Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training Manual: Practical DBT for Self-Help, and Individual & Group Treatment Settings