Dialectical Behavior Therapy

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Dialectical Behavior Therapy

• according to Marsha Linehan,
• the Personality Theory students of Rutgers
  University

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What is dialectics?

• Dialectics has two meanings
• The fundamental meaning of reality
• Persuasive dialogue and relationship.

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Fundamentals of DBT
BPD is characterized by emotional vulnerability
poor ability to modulate strong
emotions. Vulnerability - 1) very high
sensitivity to emotional stimuli, 2) very
intense response to emotional stimuli, 3) a
slow return to emotional baseline following
emotional arousal.
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Fundamentals of DBT
Emotion modulation - ability to 1) inhibit
inappropriate behavior related to stong emotions
( or -), 2) organize oneself for coordinated
action in service of an external goal,
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Fundamentals of DBT
Emotion modulation - ability to 3) self soothe
physiological arousal, 4) refocus attention in
the presence of strong emotion.
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Fundamentals of DBT

• 4 areas are emphasized -
• Acceptance and validation of
• behavior as it is in the moment.
• 2) Treating therapy-interfering
• behaviors of both client and therapist.

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Fundamentals of DBT

• 4 areas are emphasized -
• 3) The assumption that the
• therapeutic relationship is essential
• to the treatment.
• 4) Dialectic process (persuasive
• dialogue, focus on reality).

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Fundamentals of DBT
In-class exercise 1 Split up into 4 supervision
teams. Observe two sessions of DBT with Linehan
and a BPD client, Stacey. Rate Linehan on her
use of the specific DBT techniques (1/team).
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Fundamentals of DBT
In-class exercise 2 Teams 1 and 2, Provide
feedback for Linehan, including a critique of
basic therapist skills, the use of specific DBT
skills, and overall, the effectiveness of the
session.
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Fundamentals of DBT
In-class exercise 2 Teams 3 and 4, Develop a
plan for the subsequent sessions with
Stacey. What specific aspects of BPD
remain problematic? How might the therapist
address the problems in future sessions?