For decades, clinicians who have worked with clients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) felt helpless and overwhelmed. No matter what degree or credential clinicians held, or what clinical methods were employed, the diagnosis seemed to present a largely incurable and frustrating condition.
Following Dr. Marsha Linehan’s development of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), many clinicians breathed a collective sigh of relief. Finally, an effective approach to the treatment of this complex Personality Disorder was in hand.
Following Dr. Marsha Linehan’s development of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), many clinicians breathed a collective sigh of relief. Finally, an effective approach to the treatment of this complex Personality Disorder was in hand.
DBT outlines specific strategies to facilitate the empowerment and eventual independence of the client.
There are four modes of treatment for DBT
Linehan outlines specific stages of treatment and strategies to be used as well as goals to be met within each stage of treatment. Issues or “targets” are prioritized in each stage of therapy and are addressed this way in the treatment setting.
The core strategies in DBT are “validation” and “problem solving”. Circumstantial and/or emotional obstacles may inhibit effective problem-solving, even when the individual has learned the required skills. In those instances, additional strategies for management may be required. These may include:
The spontaneous provision of telephonic support between sessions is a unique feature of DBT.