Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based, psychosocial treatment originally developed for suicidal individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It is now broadly seen as the treatment of choice for individuals with BPD. DBT is a comprehensive, cognitive-behavioral treatment designed to help a client achieve a “life worth living.” Research on DBT’s effectiveness is compelling and was the first to empirically demonstrate that individuals with BPD and severe emotional dysregulation and/or suicidal behavior could be effectively treated with a psychosocial therapy. As the research literature on DBT continues to grow, it will be important to move beyond randomized clinical trials comparing DBT to control treatments and instead focus on identifying important predictors and mediators of change. This chapter describes the foundation and theoretical underpinnings of DBT, provides details about the structure of DBT in all its components, and summarizes some existing research. A detailed case example is provided.